Today, unfortunately, a male-dominated culture continues in many fields, especially in the construction industry. Women face harsh conditions to reach the positions they deserve in business life. If we compare it to today, it was even more difficult for women to participate in business life during the Early Republican Period. However, Leman Cevat Tomsu, Turkey's first female architect, stood up against all these difficulties and prejudices, inspiring all women with her works. This week, we celebrate Turkey's first female architect, Leman Cevat Tomsu, on March 8th, International Women's Day. We take a closer look at her life and architectural journey.
The image is taken from alcim.com.tr
Today, unfortunately, a male-dominated culture continues in many fields, especially in the construction industry. Women face harsh conditions to reach the positions they deserve in business life. If we compare it to today, it was even more difficult for women to participate in business life during the Early Republican Period. However, Leman Cevat Tomsu, Turkey's first female architect, stood up against all these difficulties and prejudices, inspiring all women with her works. This week, we celebrate Turkey's first female architect, Leman Cevat Tomsu, on March 8th, International Women's Day. We take a closer look at her life and architectural journey.
If we compare it to today, the number of female employees and students in the 1930s, when modernization was beginning, was much less. In the Early Republican Period, and also in the world, the architecture profession was practiced only by men. At this time, Leman Cevat Tomsu broke the mold. She graduated as Turkey's first female architect with all her courage and determination. Afterward, she implemented many application projects.
The image is taken from architecturedergisi.com
Education Life
Leman Cevat Tomsu was born in Kayseri in 1913. She began her education at Erenköy Girls High School. Tomsu then completed her architectural education at Istanbul Fine Arts Academy, Department of Architecture in 1934. In 1941, she joined academic life as an assistant at Istanbul Technical University, which was then known as the Graduate School of Engineering.
The image is taken from alcim.com.tr
Work Life
Leman Cevat Tomsu started her career at Istanbul Municipality in 1935, shortly after graduating. She conducted city planning studies in Istanbul with German architect Martin Wagner. It is also known that Tomsu implemented many projects of various sizes. Throughout her architectural career, she completed a total of 17 projects. She participated in many competition projects and won 14 awards, 5 of which were first place.
Leman Cevat Tomsu mostly preferred a modern approach in her projects. In the later stages of her professional life, she displayed a more classical attitude. Among her famous projects are the Cerrahpaşa Polyclinic building, Şehremini Community Center Project, Gerede Community Center Project, Uludağ Sanatorium, and Kayseri Community Center Project.
The image is taken from architecturedergisi.com
Those, who want to examine Tomsu and her works more closely, can read the book "Leman Cevat Tomsu: A Pioneer in Turkish Architecture", which explores and compiles Tomsu's life in detail. Through this work, you can discover Tomsu and how she practiced her profession as the first woman architect in Turkey.
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References:
mimarlikdergisi.com
alcim.com.tr
