Name: Gökalp Kalfa
Course: M.Arch 1
Atelier: Non-Standart Habitats

Hi everyone!

I am Gökalp, I completed my Bachelor’s degree at Yasar University in Turkey, graduating as the top student of the Architecture Department. During my studies, I spent a semester at ARCHIP in Prague as an Erasmus+ student, where I was honored with the "Best Studio Project" award. Following my graduation, I worked as a professional architect at various firms in Turkey, gaining extensive experience in everything from design development and technical detailing to site supervision and visualization.
My design approach combines narrative-driven thinking with spatial experimentation, supported by digital tools and research-led processes. To date, I have participated in numerous architectural competitions both individually and as part of various teams. My work has been recognized with Honorable Mentions in international competitions like "Re-Using Barcelona Rooftops" and "Kingspan Microhome," alongside several national awards.

Action Week – Final Day

The final day of Action Week was focused on bringing all of our work together and preparing the final outputs for submission. We met as a group in the Geoffrey Manton Building, where we spent the day finalising both the publication and the presentation. At this stage, the main aim was to make sure that all the material we had produced during the week was clearly organised, visually consistent, and communicated the story of the project in a coherent way.

Throughout the day, we reviewed the structure of the presentation, refined the graphic language, and checked that the key moments from the week were properly represented. This included our site observations, conversations with students, parents, teachers, and Manchester City Council representatives, as well as the engagement activities we carried out with the children. We also worked on the publication, ensuring that it documented not only the final proposal but also the process behind it, from research and site analysis to testing ideas during Action Week.

A significant part of the day was spent editing, aligning, and completing the final drawings, diagrams, texts, and visual material. As all the individual parts of the project came together, we were able to see more clearly how the research, engagement, and design proposal supported one another. This final stage helped us reflect on the value of working directly with the school community and how their feedback shaped our understanding of the street as a social, playful, and everyday space rather than only a route for circulation.

Once all the submission materials were completed, we ended the week by going out for pizza together as a group. This was a small celebration of the intense work we had done throughout the whole semester, but also a chance to reflect more informally on the experience. Overall, the final day was not only about finishing the publication and presentation, but also about recognising the collaborative effort behind the project and the shared process that brought all of the work together.