Iron Event and Happening Design · 2026
Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Event
- A' Design Award 2026 Iron Winner in Event and Happening Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Turkish Airlines
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 7,187
- Verification code 01F81D7C80 · Verify this award
About Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Event
Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part is a multi-city cultural event designed as a moving narrative rather than a fixed event in one venue. Guests are guided through several cities, and each city offers its own theme and sensory experience. Interaction takes place through space, story and setting instead of screens. At the archaeological site of Ephesus, all installations were built on elevated modular platforms, so no adhesives, anchors or heavy equipment touched the ancient ground. Heritage preservation and local authenticity are placed before spectacle and scale.
Turkish Airlines's Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Event activates one of the Mediterranean world's most celebrated archaeological treasures, the Library of Celsus facade, transforming this Roman Imperial monument into an illuminated stage for contemporary cultural engagement and experiential heritage interpretation. This architectural jewel, originally constructed in the early second century as both memorial and repository of learning, exemplifies the sophisticated civic architecture of Roman provincial cities, employing the classical language of the Corinthian order with its ornate capitals, paired columnar rhythm, and hierarchical facade composition that communicated cultural achievement and intellectual aspiration through built form. The two-story elevation demonstrates masterful proportional relationships, with the lower register's three monumental portals flanked by columns establishing a grounded horizontal emphasis while the upper tier's sculptural niches housing allegorical figures representing wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, and virtue draw the eye upward toward the fragmentary pediment, creating vertical aspiration within horizontal stability. The lighting design employed for this evening event reveals exceptional sensitivity to architectural form and material character, with concealed uplighting fixtures positioned to accentuate the relief carving, ornamental detail, and three-dimensional projection of architectural elements while bathing the honey-colored stone in warm amber tonalities that honor the material's natural beauty and suggest the golden light of classical antiquity. This warm illumination strategy achieves dramatic chromatic contrast against the deepening cobalt evening sky, creating a theatrical presentation that neither overwhelms the monument's inherent dignity nor reduces it to mere backdrop, instead celebrating the facade's architectural integrity while enabling its contemporary activation as gathering space and cultural venue. The assembled crowd visible in silhouette at ground level provides essential scale reference, transforming abstract architectural documentation into humanized cultural narrative and demonstrating how heritage sites may serve as living spaces for community gathering, artistic performance, educational programming, and shared cultural experience rather than remaining static museum pieces isolated behind barriers. The composition captures the transitional moment of twilight when natural and artificial light achieve equilibrium, producing neither harsh spotlit theatricality nor dim documentary neutrality but rather an enchanted nocturnal atmosphere that invites contemplation of temporal layers, the dialogue between ancient achievement and contemporary stewardship, and the ongoing relevance of classical humanistic values embodied in monuments dedicated to learning, wisdom, and the pursuit of knowledge across centuries and civilizations. How might thoughtfully designed lighting and experiential programming enable archaeological sites to communicate their original cultural purposes to contemporary audiences while maintaining preservation integrity and fostering genuine engagement with heritage rather than mere photographic consumption?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This project is a multi-city cultural experience designed as a moving narrative rather than a fixed event. What makes it unique is its seamless integration into historical landscapes, use of non-invasive design, and guest flow tailored for emotional impact. It prioritizes heritage preservation, local authenticity, and meaningful interaction over spectacle or scale.
- Tags
- Turkish Airlines, Cultural event, destination, marketing, experiential design, sustainability, heritage, UNESCO sites, Ephesus, Gala
- Production Technology
- To ensure the protection of the archaeological heritage of Ephesus, the entire event infrastructure was designed with non-invasive methodologies. All installations—including the stage, exhibition units, and audience areas—were constructed on elevated modular platforms, preventing any direct contact with the ancient ground. The stage design was intentionally compact, respecting the spatial proportions and sightlines of the Agora.
Power distribution was planned with minimal intervention; temporary cabling systems and lightweight, low-impact lighting were used. Materials were selected for their reversibility and minimal environmental footprint—no adhesives, anchors, or heavy equipment touched the original structure.
Logistics, including transportation and setup, followed strict preservation protocols. Each element of the build was prefabricated and assembled onsite with manual labor, avoiding machinery that could compromise the site. The design approach prioritized cultural sensitivity, heritage compliance, and operational safety at every stage. - Design Challenge
- The main challenge was designing a large-scale event within protected heritage sites without altering or damaging any historical elements. Navigating local regulations, gaining permits, and aligning with archaeological preservation laws required intense coordination. Balancing cultural authenticity, guest comfort, and logistical feasibility—across five cities—demanded precision, sensitivity, and adaptive creative planning.
- Project Duration
- The project started in January 2025 with concept development and planning in Istanbul. On-site preparations began in April 2025 across the selected cities. The event was held from May 26 to May 30, 2025, covering Istanbul, Afyonkarahisar, Denizli, İzmir, and Ephesus. It concluded with a gala evening at the Agora of Ephesus on May 29, 2025.
- Operation Flow
- The project unfolds as a guided cultural journey across multiple cities. Guests move through carefully planned stages—each city offering a unique theme and sensory experience. Interaction happens through space, story, and setting rather than screens. Seamless logistics, local immersion, and meaningful pacing ensure comfort and emotional connection, resulting in stronger memory retention and deeper brand engagement.
- Research
- Qualitative design research was conducted to explore how experiential travel shapes perception of place and brand. Objectives included measuring emotional engagement in heritage environments. Methods included cultural analysis, field visits, and interviews. Participants were 200+ international guests. Results showed higher recall and emotional affinity. Insights informed the user-centric, mobile event structure, influencing brand perception and sustainable tourism models.
- Inspiration
- This project was inspired by a desire to showcase Türkiye not through spectacle, but through substance—its landscapes, heritage, and human warmth. Instead of relying on a single venue, we envisioned a multi-location narrative, rooted in authenticity and respect. The concept was informed by cultural research, sustainable practices, and a belief that experiential design can connect people more meaningfully than traditional formats.
- Image Credits
- All visual and media credits: Turkish Airlines