Alumnus builds architecture career
Savannah College of Art and Design alumnus Guclu “Guch” Durusoy (B.Arch., M.Arch., 1999) knows that architectural designs often endure for many years. As a result, he strives to create designs imbued with eye-catching details that will continue to awe viewers.
“Your work is on display for decades to millions of people who walk by your creation,” Durusoy said. “The impact that your work has on people is greater than any other art form I can think of.”
Durusoy, originally from Bursa, Turkey, resides in Arlington, Va., where he is an associate architect for SK&I Architectural Design Group. The Washingtonian Magazine and the Washington, D.C., chapter of the American Institute of Architects recently awarded his project, The Metro, with the 2006 Residential Design award, and featured the building in the June 2006 issue of the magazine. The juried award recognizes excellence in the residential architecture of the metropolitan region. The building also received a 2005 Monument Award from the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association and the Maryland-National Capital Building Association.
The Metro is an eight-story luxury condominium building in downtown Washington, D.C.’s revitalized 14th Street corridor, formerly the automotive showroom district. The urban infill project contains 53 units and a two-story underground garage. The scale of The Metro was carefully designed not to overwhelm the neighboring mid-size structures, and the industrial-style brick façade is divided into three smaller sections to match the streetscape. The structure was praised for its steel and glass window treatments, which create naturally lit lofts and unique design details.
Durusoy was inspired to become an architect by his father, also an architect. After graduating from SCAD, Durusoy joined an 80-member firm in Washington, D.C., and after two years was referred to SK&I, then a two-year-old, eight-member firm. SK&I is now a mid-sized firm with 50 employees who design and plan mostly residential and mixed-use communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Georgia, Massachusetts and Ohio.
As an associate architect with the firm, Durusoy designs and manages projects from initial concept to construction completion. His focus is urban design, and his projects are mainly high-rise concrete buildings. His expertise in methods of construction and materials is applied to his designs early in the planning process.
“My unique ability to see the project as a whole and knowledge of detailing allow me to create unique and cost-effective exteriors,” said Durusoy.
Some of his recent projects include The Village at Shirlington in Shirlington, Va., an 11-story, 159-unit condominium building; the Desoto Washington, D.C., a seven-story, 66-unit apartment building in the city’s 14th Street corridor; and Carlyle Block L in Alexandria, Va., 366,000 square feet of residential and retail space in a four-story and a 12-story building.
In addition, a 59-unit warehouse renovation project is under construction, and Durusoy is planning The Ellsworth, a five-story, 222-unit luxury condominium structure in downtown Silver Spring, Md.
Each day, Durusoy uses the computer design and communication skills he acquired at SCAD. He also has developed quick thinking, problem-solving skills and confidence as a result of his professional experience.
“Every class and every professor I had at SCAD has contributed to my career,” he said. “SCAD has given me the design skills and the computer knowledge that I needed to land a job.”
Durusoy plans to stay in the Washington, D.C., area and continue working for SK&I. He is seeking projects overseas and is involved in an effort by SK&I to expand the firm to Argentina and Turkey. He also is interested in working with other SCAD alumni.
“At my time SCAD was so far ahead of the competition, and employers are always interested in what is new,” said Durusoy. “I’m anxious to get some recent SCAD graduates in our office so I can catch up with the technology.”
source: www.thecampuschronicle.com
