Within the scope of 2026 IFI World Interiors Day, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Architecture, Department of Interior Architecture organized a “High Honor and Honor Ceremony” in front of the Colourful Building located at the Faculty of Architecture. During the event, outstanding students were recognized for their achievements, while academic perspectives on the contemporary transformations and future direction of the interior architecture discipline were also shared.
Organized by EMU Department of Interior Architecture academic staff Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zehra Öngül and Research Assistants Behnoush Khayat Afshari, Şule Akkuyu and Soheil Soleimanipirmorad, the event featured speeches by Prof. Dr. Beser Oktay Vehbi, Vice Dean of Faculty of Architecture; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hacer Başarır Dindiç, Head of Department of Interior Architecture; Pembe Komut, Chairperson of the Chamber of Cyprus Turkish Interior Architects; and, IFI Committee Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Afet Coşkun.
The program, organized in line with the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) 2026 theme, “Balancing Nature, Culture and Technology in the Digital Age,” brought together academics, students, and representatives of the profession. The event went beyond being a ceremony dedicated solely to celebrating academic achievements, serving instead as a platform that drew attention to the cultural, environmental, and social responsibilities of interior architecture in the digital era.
“Design Processes Transformed By Smart Systems and Virtual Reality Applications”
The guest speaker of the event was Pembe Komut, Chairperson of the Chamber of Cyprus Turkish Interior Architects. In her address, Komut noted that artificial intelligence, digital modeling, smart systems, and virtual reality applications have transformed design processes in the field of interior architecture. She emphasized the importance of approaching the opportunities offered by technology through a human-centered perspective. Komut also drew attention to the risk that an increasingly standardized digital aesthetic may contribute to a loss of identity in urban environments. Highlighting the significance of preserving natural elements, human scale, and cultural memory in interior design, she stressed the need to maintain these values while adapting to technological advancements.
“A Core Concern of the Discipline of Interior Architecture”
Speaking at the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hacer Başarır Dindiç, Head of the EMU Department of Interior Architecture, highlighted that IFI World Interiors Day provides a valuable platform for showcasing and discussing current issues shaping the discipline worldwide. Referring to the 2026 theme, she stated that it addresses one of the key challenges facing interior architecture today. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dindiç emphasized that, as digitalization continues to accelerate, the design of interior spaces must be informed not only by technological advancements but also by cultural identity, human-centered experiences, and environmental responsibility. She also noted that such events play an important role in broadening students’ professional perspectives while encouraging emerging designers to take part in international discussions on design and the future of the profession.
Within the scope of the program, faculty members presented certificates to students who qualified for Honor and High Honor certificates through their academic achievements during the Fall Semester of the 2025–2026 Academic Year.