Consider the Tree of Science a silent witness to generations of scholars. It stands here at the main entrance of Middle East Technical University METU in Ankara. The Tree of Science is more than just a sculpture. It embodies the spirit of progress and the pursuit of knowledge.
In 1965, a competition sought a monument to honor Atat\u00fcrk and his reforms. Tamer Ba\u015fo\u011flu’s design came in second place. This design was realized in 1966.
Initially, there were plans to display the first-place winner’s work. The Rectorate decided to give Ba\u015fo\u011flu’s design a prominent location. The location was near the main gate of the METU Campus on Eski\u015fehir Road.
The Tree of Science is now a recognizable symbol of METU. Rector Kemal Kurda\u015f proposed the name. He saw METU as a “science tree” fostering modern thought in Turkey. The name “Tree of Science” has stuck ever since.
Tamer Ba\u015fo\u011flu said each end on the sculpture symbolizes Atat\u00fcrk’s revolutions. He aimed to capture Atat\u00fcrk’s reforms abstractly. The sculpture shows the explosion of an atomic bomb. It is like a mushroom on strong roots in a ruined Anatolian city.
Imagine this area decades ago. Much of it was barren. Kemal Kurda\u015f led a massive forestation effort. Over 12 million trees were planted. The 11,100-acre METU land was transformed. The white Tree of Science is set against the deep green forest. METU is now the largest green space around Ankara.
The forest helps to reduce the city’s pollution. Kemal Kurda\u015f, Behruz \u00c7inici, and Alattin Egemen shared the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995. They were recognized for their contributions to the campus’s planning, architecture, and forestation.
There’s a special tradition here. Graduating students pose for photos with the Tree of Science. It’s a rite of passage. These photos are especially for their graduation albums.
Advanced technology has been used to document the Tree of Science. SiteEye created a 3D model using drones and laser scanners. This model allows for detailed measurements.
The Tree of Science is more than a monument. It represents METU’s commitment to science. It is a symbol of growth and progress. As you leave, remember the impact of Atat\u00fcrk’s reforms and the power of education.