From 15 to 17 November, Berlin will host for the first time the World Architecture Festival (WAF), the world’s largest international architectural event, where the world architecture community meets to celebrate, learn, exchange and be inspired. It is the only architecture event where keynote talks from the industry’s most influential figures sit alongside live presentations and judging of over 400 award finalists, global networking, a 500 project strong gallery and an international product exhibition. And this year, the Turkish brand Koleksiyon plays a big role in the event.

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Founded by Architect Faruk Malhan in Ankara, in 1972, Koleksiyon has been developing a rich array of merchandise ranging from furniture to glass, porcelain and textile for over 40 years. Manufacturing its home and office furniture products at its 86,000 square meter facilities in the city of Tekirdağ, Koleksiyon is actively operating in 25 different countries in the world, in cities ranging from London to New York. Designing high-quality furniture that synthesises new thought, new standard and new design, it aims to create products based on dreams and ideas rather than on industry. Thanks to its innovative concepts focusing on work culture, many companies in Turkey and around the world use Koleksiyon Furniture products and the brand also attracts attention for its new living space design.

Besides being present at booths E20 and E30 of the Arena Berlin throughout the event, Koleksiyon will share its knowledge with the proficient audience. Koray Malhan, the brand’s Chief Design Officer, will give a lecture about Design & Pathos on the stage of the connected Inside Festival of Interior Design (15 November at 17.00). Based on his research in the fields of music, philosophy and sociology, as well as linguistics and semiology, Malhan presents his inspirations and the philosophy behind his designs. Two products of this design approach can also be seen at WAF: the large conical room-in-room system Oblivion and the complex workstation system Rothko. Both systems are part of the “self-organized workplace”, Koleksiyon’s approach to the office of the future. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Koray Malhan and the managing director of the German subsidiary, Dirk Boll, for a professional exchange.

System Oblivion (above) and System Rothko (below).

The World Architecture Festival (WAF) not only provides a comprehensive overview of current trends and developments in architecture and urban planning, it also brings together international experts of the architectural scene. The finale of the event includes the awarding of the “WAF Awards”, considered as the Oscars of architecture, which recognize architectural excellence in the areas of buildings, future projects and landscape architecture. Competition entries from over 60 countries compete against each other in 30 categories. The festival is also a great opportunity to visit Berlin as the event offers eleven different tours through the capital under different architectural perspectives.

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Source: Koleksiyon, World Architecture Festival, Public Relations v. Hoyningen-Huene