Erdem Batırbek and Keremcan Kırılmaz, designers from Izmir, ranked first in the Turkish Moon Bases National Idea Competition with their ‘living center in space’ design, which they created using their imagination and creativity. Erdem Batırbek, a graduate of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Department of Industrial Design, and Keremcan Kırılmaz, a graduate of Izmir Institute of Technology (IYTE) Department of Architecture, received an award of 25,000 TL with the special designs they developed based on how a living center could be established in space in 2050.
The competition, organized with the cooperation of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Bursa Technical University, Bursa Provincial Directorate of National Education and Gökmen Aerospace Education Center (GUHEM), was held in 3 different categories as high school-secondary school students, university students and professionals. Competing in the professional category with 13 ambitious projects that made it to the finals, Batırbek and Kırılmaz left all their competitors behind and brought the award to Izmir.
WE BELIEVED WE WOULD RANK FIRST
Continuing his career in a high-level company in Izmir, IUE graduate Erdem Batırbek said that he had a great interest in science fiction and space since his childhood, and that this also had an effect in his participation in the competition. Stating that they worked for the competition for about 3 months, Batırbek said, “My friend Keremcan is also a space enthusiast just like me and loves to follow this field. We both watch science fiction movies, frequently read articles on space, and follow the developments in the world. When we heard about the Moon Bases National Ideas Competition, we thought it was perfect for us and wanted to participate without hesitation. We believed that we would rank first, we are happy that we did so.”
WE IMAGINED OURSELVES LIVING IN SPACE
Batırbek continued as follows: “The competition focused on how to create a settlement area if a colony was to be established in space. We initially thought with Keremcan what we would like to have there if we went to space. We brainstormed and finally we moved on to the design phase, step by step. We were not in a hurry, we took our time. As a result, it was a work that appealed to us. We had the advantage of having imagination, creativity and knowledge about space. Other designs were also very good. We are proud to be selected first among many valuable projects by the jury.”
