PROF. DR. METİN SÖZEN

A professor at the School of architecture of Technical University scholar and a pioneering figure for the protection, research and promotion of Turkey’s natural, historical and cultural heritage, Dr.Sözen’s outstanding accomplishments range from various projects conducted in small and large settlements such as Safranbolu, Bursa, Kütahya and Istanbul to National Palaces under the auspices of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Since 1984, as Senior Consultant for Arts and Culture to the Grand National Assembly and President of the Science and Evaluation Committee, Dr.Sözen has been in charge of restoration, appraisal, research and promotion of Ottoman Palaces of Dolmabahçe, Beylerbeyi and Yıldız, Kiosks of Aynalıkavak, Küçüksu, Ihlamur, Maslak and Atatürk Pavillion of Florya and Yalova. His invaluable work has won him many distinguished national-international recognitions, among them the Turkish Grand Assembly’s “Highest Service Award” and the “Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence”.
Dr. Sözen is the founder and president of ÇEKÜL / Foundation for the Protection and the Promotion of the Environmental and Cultural Heritage and Istanbul Center of Cultural Heritage, has served as member and head for many years in Commissions for the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Values and conducted a variety of activities in Istanbul. The Kabataş Cultural Center in Ortaköy, founded under the patronage of Kabataş Boy’s College Foundation for Education is among the most recent of his accomplishments.
Dr.Sözen is the author of numerous books and articles published in various languages, among them a series them a series of works, depicting great creative figures of the past within the framework of their time, the most prominent of then being the great Architect Sinan. He is also the producer of numerous documentaries, awarded both nationally and internationally.