Global Design Forum Istanbul to bring together designers, artists May 13-16

Global Design Forum Istanbul will be held May 13-16, bringing together international designers, artists and cultural figures through talks, installations, citywide research projects and interactive programs. The Istanbul edition is a special version of the Global Design Forum, a thought leadership platform hosted for more than 15 years at the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the London Design Festival.

Organization and themes

Organized in collaboration with People Places Ideas, founded by artist and designer Melek Zeynep Bulut, the forum aims to expand dialogue around design, culture and urban production. The four-day program will begin May 13 with public installations by universities and design studios, along with the launch of "İstanbullar," a platform mapping 40 production sites across the city.

Venues and events

Talks scheduled for May 14-15 at Topkapi Palace will focus on contemporary design practices and environmental impact. Installations including Waugh Thistleton Architects' wooden pavilion "A Pavilion the Moment" and NUN Architecture's forum space at Aya Irini will also be open to visitors. The program will extend to venues including Barın Han, Zeyrek Çinili Hamam and Zeytinburnu Mosaic Museum.

Competition

The forum will conclude May 16 with the announcement of an international garden competition in Yedikule. The event aims to position Istanbul as a hub for design discourse, connecting local and international creative communities.