The İhsan and Ayser Doğramacı Science, Culture and Arts Center was opened to the Bilkent Family on May 26, 2023, to serve as a venue for scientific, cultural, artistic and social activities in accordance with the mission and objectives of the İhsan Doğramacı Foundation.
The three-story building, with an indoor area of 3200 m2 and on 10 acres of land, was built in 1991 as a residence for the Doğramacı family. The architect of the project was Erkut Şahinbaş. Upon completion of the construction on October 10, 1991, the Doğramacı Family donated the building to the İhsan Doğramacı Foundation.
The residence was to be maintained as long as İhsan and Ayser Doğramacı were alive and utilized by the foundation after their death. The Doğramacı family lived in the upper floor of the residence between 1991 and 2018, while the lower floors of the residence hosted scientific, cultural, artistic and social activities.
In the words of Rector Kürşat Aydoğan, “This building has witnessed history as a host to local and foreign dignitaries, scientists, artists, business people and Hocabey’s own friends. Following the death of Ayser Doğramacı in 2018, the İhsan Doğramacı Foundation and Bilkent University signed a protocol and agreed that the residence would become the İhsan and Ayser Doğramacı Center for Science, Culture and Arts as a venue to host various events, including some graduate courses in its specially designed lecture hall. The building is partially renovated to display works of art like paintings, tiles, vases, sculptures and personal belongings of the Doğramacı family. The residence boasts a large hall that can accommodate 100 people for a concert or a conference.”
