World Architecture Awards Submissions / 51st Cycle
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The design and implementation of the interior design project for the Turkey Headquarters of the international tourism company Club Med, in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, on one of the city's most prestigious and busy streets, was carried out by Yalın Tasarım Mimarlık in 2024. The office project, which has a closed area of 180 m2 and a capacity of 20 people, required progress without any structural revision during the design and implementation process, since it is located in a historical building. During the interior design phase, focusing on Club Med's corporate identity, open and closed office areas and a compact sales area visited by customers were planned within the boundaries of the existing building. The design language was designed to create a modern, warm and inviting office. Minimal and timeless details were brought together with the vibrant colors of the tourism company and warm-toned wooden areas. Illuminated "green wall" and "media wall" designs were also designed to increase the visibility of the office, which is located on one of the busiest and most prestigious streets of Istanbul. A coffee corner serving the open office was designed dynamically with vibrant yellow tones. A multi-purpose meeting room, which can be used as a "work station" by the international teams of Club Med, an international company, during their office visits, was designed by taking acoustic measures.
The interior design process was completed in 4 months and the implementation process was completed in 2.5 months with maximum efficiency and was completed in time for the season opening of the tourism company.
Project Name: Club Med - Turkey Headquarters
Function: Office
Area: 180 sqm
Sinem Serhatlı, Adnan Doruk Namyeter, Mertcan Eken
Communal Pockets: Developing Fluid Spaces within a Residential Hall
A university student’s residential environment can be extremely influential in determining the quality of life in a formative period of their development as adults. A university dormitory is not just a place for students to sleep, it is a place that is considered home by a lot of students and is crucial for providing a supportive environment for the student’s personal growth. Dormitories, or residential halls, play a crucial role in shaping student life by fostering a sense of community and providing a supportive environment for academic and personal growth. Living in dorms allows students to build lasting friendships, collaborate on academic projects, and engage in diverse cultural and social activities. This unique living arrangement (availability of study areas, tutoring services, and wellness programs alongside the dorm rooms) not only eases the transition from home to independent living but also enriches students’ university journeys by creating a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic community.
This design project was focused on the redesign of an existing dormitory on our campus that lacked the amenities and communal elements that create dynamism on a campus, leading to a vacancy rate of over 50%. Our approach to the redesign of the hall featured an analysis of circulation and movement through the building, which is highly constrained by the existing geometry, having 45° and 90° angles throughout the space. The analysis and experiments with flow led to the creation of pockets of space which slow residents down and create areas of activity and social engagement. The softly curved and inward spiraling pockets include amenities that students require for a more convenient, functional, educational and fun quality of life.
The dorms are separated into two blocks, arranged around large courtyards and connected at the entrance lobby. Large and small communal spaces are distributed across the two courtyard blocks to create a more interactive living community where students from both blocks are encouraged to mix, meet and interact. The new design features a new lobby with lively commercial areas such as a student run cafe, enclosed seating areas which can be used for presentations, comfortable waiting areas for guests and multiple entrances to ease the commute from the dorm to the larger campus. Spiraling nooks and eddies are also used to provide different communal spaces throughout the rest of the dormitory. Formal spaces such as the library and informal spaces like a laundry/study room establish a range of spaces where students can interact and form relationships with their friends and peers.
An iterative design process informed by intensive model making with heat-formed plastic strips, allowed us to experiment with form and overcome the strict, geometrical challenges of the site. In contrast to the cold and institutional nature of the existing dormitories, intensities of color, material, and light are used to draw students into the pockets. The result is a reimagined mix of domestic and communal spaces, stitched together through curvilinear forms, where students can live and learn together in a much more engaging and dynamic way.
Project title: Communal Pockets: Developing Fluid Spaces within a Residential Hall
Location: United Arab Emirates, Sharjah
Nada Abdelgawad, Yazan AlNagar
Instructor: Jason Carlow
Today, educational environments must not only fulfill their functional and pedagogical roles but also promote the mental, social, and physical well-being of students. Particularly in architecture and art universities, where creativity, innovation, and critical thinking are at the core, the design of educational spaces should serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. A well-designed educational environment can significantly enhance the quality of learning and contribute to students’ psychological and physical health.
In architectural design, particularly within the context of an architecture and art university, attention must be given to environmental factors such as light, temperature, color, and social space, as these elements can directly impact students' well-being. A thoughtfully designed space can foster a sense of comfort, encourage creativity, reduce stress, and promote both mental and physical health. By addressing these environmental factors, architecture can create supportive spaces that improve students’ overall quality of life.
Design Patterns for Enhancing Student Health:
Learning Streets:
Hallways and corridors can be transformed into multifunctional spaces for social interaction, group activities, and displaying student work. The central area of this “learning street” is designed with natural light and greenery, providing a common space that fosters community interaction, reduces stress, and enhances a sense of belonging among students.
Flexible and Movable Furniture:
The use of movable and adjustable furniture allows students to adapt the space according to their needs. This flexibility not only improves physical comfort but also encourages collaboration and social interaction, making the environment more engaging and supportive of student well-being.
Quiet Corners:
Quiet spaces are designed to offer students a retreat from the noise and stress of academic life. These areas provide a serene environment for focused work and individual study. The combination of green hues and natural wood materials in these spaces reduces stress and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that enhances mental clarity and concentration.
Staircases as Learning Spaces:
Staircases, often overlooked, are increasingly recognized as valuable learning and social spaces. With the right design, stairs can become flexible areas for both individual study and group interaction. These spaces foster participation, encourage spontaneous learning, and promote critical thinking among students.
Open Studios for Creativity:
Open studio spaces encourage free and creative expression, allowing students to engage in individual and collaborative work. The inclusion of natural light in these spaces boosts mental performance, improves mood, and reduces the anxiety often associated with intensive academic projects.
Incorporating Nature into the Learning Environment:
Green spaces and the presence of trees around educational buildings help bring vitality and freshness to the environment. The integration of nature not only enhances environmental quality but also promotes student well-being by reducing stress and fostering a stronger sense of community and belonging.
Cafeteria and Social Spaces:
Cafeterias and social areas, strategically located within the campus, serve as informal spaces for students to relax and interact. These spaces play a crucial role in fostering social connections, reducing feelings of isolation, and enhancing overall student satisfaction during breaks from academic work.
Project Name: Interior Design of an Architecture and Art University: Enhancing Student Health through the Positive Impact of the Environment on the Body and Mind
Location: Mashhad, Iran.
Design Objective:
Create a dynamic, creative, and healthy learning environment.
Foster student engagement, collaboration, and well-being through design.
Incorporate natural elements and flexible spaces to promote mental and physical health.
The interior design of architecture and art universities must go beyond functional and aesthetic considerations. These spaces should be designed to make students feel secure, comfortable, and motivated. Environmental factors in the design of these spaces play a critical role in enhancing students' physical and mental health. Thoughtful architectural designs not only contribute to the quality of education but also improve students' overall well-being, creating a healthier, more productive academic experience.
Student: fahime tafakori (Master student of Interior Architecture, Ferdows Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran)
Supervisor: Dr Maryam Mojtabavi (Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Ferdows Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran)