Architecture Firm Series

Turkish design firm Autoban, founded by Seyhan Özdemir (architect) and Sefer Çağlar (interior architect), was established in 2003 and their office is in Galata, Istanbul’s historic quarter.  They design and develop interior environments for residential and commercial projects.   They consider each interior project a “story to be told”, which I love, because when you study design, you attach yourself to it.  You look at it from all sides, turn it upside down, give it a few shakes and see what forms.  And along the process, you hope to have a design concept (or a story) developed for your client.

Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çağlar

Autoban also designs products using natural and raw materials and their designs are very Bauhaus in style and form (see some of their products below).

Recently, they have completed the design of The House Café, located in the Kanyon Shopping Mall in Istanbul, Turkey, and the results are spectacular.

Here they have integrated the design of The House Cafe into the form of the Mall.  The steel structure reads more like a greenhouse than a restaurant, but the use of a warm walnut platform gives the restaurant warmth and presence.

The dining space is open and airy, given the glass walls.  The taraxacum 88 pendant light, available at HiveModern adds the perfect bit of dazzle to this very architectural space.

A view down through the restaurant toward the bar at the end.  The drapers are brought all the way up to the glass ceiling, through the steal beams to soften the space.

Also notice the metal accent strips in the floor that mirror the steel beams.  The curvilinear shape of this restaurant gives it interest as well.

 

One final look at the bar area and a community table.  Community tables are gaining more and more popularity by the way.  Have you been to a restaurant with a community table?  It’s a wonderful way to meet new people.

PRODUCT

This wooden flower shaped lighting fixture was designed by Seyhan Özdemir & Sefer Çaglar.

This Magnolia Lighting Unit hangs from the ceiling and has hexagonal plates are graduated in size, becoming smaller toward the top and bottom. Each plate is rotated into a different position so the form below is representative of the leaves of a flower.

Wired King Lamp

Bergere Bed

RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

 

The Beyoglu House in Istanbul.  Modern furniture meets traditional architecture in this home.   Note the accent light in the corner.

Glass doors reflect another view into the room.

This is my favorite room.  The warm wood table, which is very narrow, probably to accommodate the space, against the crisp white cabinets with the fantastic mirrored subway tiled backsplash is very pleasing to the eye.

 

The Ayazpasa House in Istanbul.  Modern and traditional furniture mix to create a perfect sitting area.  Note the Magnolia lighting fixture.

Another view of the room above.  The architecture of the room is wonderful.  Here the coffee table mirrors the ceiling molding.

Looking into the dining room.  Three doors into this space is a lot, but the arch on them adds uniformity. 

The lighting fixture, also designed by Autoban, is an inverted Double Octopus.  The artwork on the floor is placed on clear glass, that allows the brick wall to show through.

Finally, the bed in the bedroom is up against a freestanding wall panel, beautifully decorated with molding (I wonder what’s behind there?).  The sparsity of the room gives it a very modern feel.

Cheers everyone!  Have a lovely day!