Turkish journalist and architect Boysan dies at 96

ISTANBUL

Renowned Turkish journalist, architect and gourmet Aydın Boysan died at the age of 96 at his home in Istanbul on Jan. 5.

According to media reports, he died of organ failure.

The son of Esat, an accountant, and Nevreste, a teacher, he has designed buildings of 1.5 million square meters during his 54-year career as an architect. The graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts, which later became the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, won many architectural design competitions both at home and abroad. He tutored at Istanbul Technical University between 1957 and 1972.

Boysan had been the architect of the now-demolished Hürriyet headquarters in the Güneşli neighborhood of Istanbul, along with several others, including cultural centers, public buildings and factories.

He is also known for his columns, which had been published in daily Hürriyet for a decade and Daily Akşam for three years.

His writing is mostly about his memoirs and humor.

“I have lost my source of inspiration,” famous Turkish comedian Cem Yılmaz wrote on his Twitter account after Boysan’s death.

The author of many books is also a dedicated advocate for raki, the grape and aniseed-based local alcoholic drink, which is usually enjoyed with authentic local dishes, known as mezes.