Interview about Beykoz Mansion Residential Design, winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2025
Located in Beykoz Mansions Istanbul, this home opens up to a lush green landscape. With 600 square meters of living space planned over three floors, the renovated design meets all the needs of a family of five and provides a timeless, relaxing and powerful backdrop to their colorful lives. Tailored to the needs of the owner's family, it is creating spaces for family interaction and communication, as well as private spaces for each family member. The family's passion for art is evident throughout the house, especially in the double-height living area.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsWhat began as a structural challenge due to the site’s level differences became the heart of the design. The dramatic double-height ceiling we created not only allowed natural light to flood the living area but also established a strong visual connection between floors. This openness brought a sense of calm and spaciousness, while subtly encouraging interaction between family members across different parts of the home. It’s a space that breathes — both visually and emotionally.
Art was never an afterthought in this home — it was an integral part of the design from the beginning. Some pieces were part of the family’s existing collection, while others were carefully selected specifically for this space, with its volumes, light, and sightlines in mind. The double-height living area was designed as both a living space and a quiet gallery, where each artwork could breathe and hold presence without overwhelming the warmth of the home. Material choices, wall surfaces, and even lighting angles were all considered to ensure that the art felt seamlessly woven into the architecture, rather than simply placed within it.
Balancing a strong stylistic identity like modern Art Deco with the real-life needs of a family of five required a careful orchestration of structure, rhythm, and flexibility. Relocating the staircases wasn’t just a technical decision — it was a way to reshape the home’s circulation, creating more fluid connections between living, sleeping, and play areas. While we embraced Art Deco’s rich language of materials, forms, and geometry, every design choice was filtered through the lens of daily life: Where do the children drop their school bags? How can a parent cook while still keeping an eye on the youngest? Where can the family come together, and where can each person retreat? The result is a home where elegance doesn’t compete with functionality — they coexist, quietly reinforcing one another.
For me, a home should support both connection and solitude. In Beykoz, we created flowing transitions between communal and private spaces — open enough to encourage togetherness, yet articulated enough to allow retreat. The gallery void, for instance, invites interaction across floors, while tucked-away corners and layered thresholds offer moments of quiet. This balance helps the family feel both close and comfortably independent.
Designing the connection between the home and its lush garden was never an afterthought — it was central to our concept from the start. The family loves to entertain and spend time outdoors, so we designed the landscape as an extension of daily life, not just a visual backdrop. The fire pit became a social anchor, allowing the garden to be used almost year-round. We carefully preserved the existing trees and natural textures, allowing the architecture to settle into the landscape with a soft, almost seamless transition. Materials, sightlines, and thresholds were all chosen to blur the boundaries between inside and out — to create a resort-like flow where nature isn’t something you look at, but something you live within.
In my work, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of hidden transitions — quiet thresholds that allow you to move from one atmosphere to another without disrupting the flow of the space. The secret door in the master suite reflects a personal design language I often revisit. I love creating layers within a home — places that are slightly concealed, yet natural, almost as if the architecture is keeping a quiet secret. In Beykoz, this door leads to a small bar and kitchenette overlooking the gallery, offering a shift in mood without breaking the harmony. It’s about discovery, about letting the architecture gently surprise you, while still feeling completely at home.
Transforming the attic into a children’s play area was both a technical and emotional endeavor. Structurally, we had to open up the roof slopes carefully to invite more natural light while maintaining insulation and structural integrity. But beyond the technicalities, the goal was to create a space that felt like a world of its own — a little hideaway filled with imagination. We used gentle transitions, built-in storage, and thoughtful zoning to ensure safety and usability. The sloped ceilings, often seen as a constraint, became an opportunity to shape cozy corners and reading nooks. This approach reflects my belief that functional spaces can still hold magic — especially for children.
The construction phase of Beykoz Mansions was intense but incredibly rewarding. We began by stripping the existing structure to its bare bones — demolishing walls, relocating staircases, and reinforcing the building to support new spatial dynamics like the double-height void. One of the most critical phases was coordinating structural changes with interior design decisions in real time, ensuring nothing felt like an afterthought. To maintain momentum, I worked closely with engineers, craftsmen, and the client, conducting weekly on-site meetings to resolve issues quickly and keep the energy focused. The pace was fast, but clear vision and strong communication allowed us to deliver something deeply personal within a highly disciplined process.
Natural materials have always been central to my design philosophy — they age gracefully, carry texture and depth, and invite a sense of calm. In Beykoz, I wanted the materials to feel grounded yet elegant, forming a timeless canvas for a family whose life is vibrant and ever-evolving. I worked with stone, wood, and handcrafted finishes to create a tactile, honest foundation. And yes, deep burgundy — a color I’ve come to see as part of my own signature — found its place again here. It brings a sense of richness and quiet drama without overpowering the space. The palette was about balance: warm, enduring materials that hold up to daily life, while elevating it through thoughtful color and texture.
Winning the Silver A’ Design Award was a meaningful recognition — not only of aesthetics, but of how thoughtful spatial planning can reshape the experience of luxury living. I believe Beykoz challenges the idea that sophistication and family life must exist in tension. Instead, it shows that luxury can be warm, layered, and deeply personal. I hope this project encourages future designers to prioritize how spaces feel and function in real life, not just how they photograph. The most luxurious homes, to me, are those that allow you to live fully — to gather, retreat, create, and rest — without ever compromising beauty or intention.
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