The International Union of Architects (UIA)
has selected “Housing is a Human Right. Build It.” as the theme for World
Architecture Day on 5 October 2026. Translated into Turkish as “Housing is a
human right. Put it into practice,” this call invites architectural practice to
develop concrete steps towards access to the right to housing. Design, research
and professional advocacy stand out as different means of fulfilling this
responsibility. [1]
Within this framework, housing
affordability and spatial quality must be considered together. For a home to
suit its users’ budget, meet their everyday needs and remain usable over time,
decisions on financing, planning and design need to support one another.
The United Nations framework for adequate
housing covers security of tenure, access to basic services and infrastructure,
affordability, habitability, accessibility, location and cultural adequacy.
This approach considers housing in the context of people’s relationship with
their surroundings. [2]
A home’s habitability is also reflected in
the details of its interior. Sound transmission between spaces, the ease of
cleaning surfaces, lighting suited to how a space is used and access during
maintenance all affect everyday comfort. Materials and systems should therefore
be selected in conjunction with the project’s use scenarios and technical
requirements.
An economic assessment should account for
maintenance, repair and component replacement costs alongside the initial
investment. Solutions that can be repaired throughout their service life and
adapted when necessary can contribute to more efficient use of resources.
Evaluating this contribution requires examining product-specific technical data
and project-specific conditions.
At ASPEN, we use the expertise in materials
and applications that we have developed since 1989 to enhance the aesthetic and
functional quality of living spaces. Our local manufacturing capabilities and
diverse product portfolio, which addresses different surfaces together, support
architects’ design decisions. In residential projects, one of the areas where
this approach finds a direct expression is the flooring we come into contact
with every day. [4]
DENDRO Engineered Wood Flooring brings the
texture and warm appearance of natural wood into homes. From living rooms to
bedrooms, it strengthens the relationship between the floor and the space.
Plank options, Chevron and Herringbone laying patterns, and a variety of
colours and finishes allow architects to design a floor that suits the
character of a home. Living spaces can thus be shaped in harmony with users’
expectations and the overall design. [5]
At DENDRO, we assess aesthetic choices
alongside each product’s technical properties. The Pure Line collection, for
example, offers the Trend grading, a three-layer structure and suitability for
underfloor heating, making it an option for homes. Product-specific
installation, maintenance and cleaning information helps users choose the right
flooring and preserve it throughout its service life.
ASPEN’s strength lies in combining design
diversity with manufacturing experience and application expertise. By
supporting product choices suited to each space in new homes and renovation
projects, we help architectural ideas become part of everyday life.
On World Architecture Day, we share the
goal of quality living spaces for everyone and extend our World Architecture
Day greetings to all architects who contribute to designing these spaces.
[1] UIA - World
Architecture Day 2026
[2] OHCHR -The human
right to adequate housing
[3] Lacaton & Vassal - Transformation
of 530 dwellings
[4] ASPEN - About Us
