Bronze Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design · 2021
Fresh Interior Design
by Saadet Abdik
- A' Design Award 2021 Bronze Winner in Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Saadet Abdİk
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 22,098
- Verification code 4F709541EA · Verify this award
About Fresh Interior Design
Fresh is the interior design of a business hotel located in a busy business district of Istanbul. The complex covers 10,000 square meters and holds 128 rooms and a spa area of 1,000 square meters. In contrast to the traditional Ottoman style common in the city, the interior is modern and minimal. Blue and green tones refer to the Bosphorus and are intended to create a calm and refreshing mood. Marble, natural fabrics and carpets with bird motifs are used. Mirrors and natural plants make the lobby appear wider and brighter.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- I have designed a business hotel which is 10.000-meter square in one of the most crowded
business areas of Istanbul. Contrary to Ottoman traditional style the hotel is designed in a modern minimal way. Due to its 5-star value it should have consisted luxury touches with the combination of the latest technological implementations. Therefore, luxury but natural materials were used. - Dimensions & Packaging
- The hotel is based on 1000-meter square area and the complex is 10.000-meter square in total. This area consists of 128 rooms plus 1000-meter square spa area.
- Tags
- istanbul,blue,bosphorous,dynamic,fresh
- Production Technology
- As per the technic is concerned, the hotel design is based on the latest technology. For the interior designed I preferred to use luxurious marble with high quality that can reflect the city lights on trough the big wide windows. In addition to these, natural fabrics are used with the sofas and carpets that have bird designs are used to symbolize the symbol of seagulls of Istanbul. When lobby is concerned, many mirrors that gives wideness combined with natural plants are used to refiect fresh atmosphere. Also to give a modern touch modern ceramic is used instead of traditional one in the bath rooms.
- Design Challenge
- The main difficulty and challenge I had to face wit was about the furniture design and implementation. The production stage especially of the sofas were not so satisfactory. For that reason, I had to reorder many times.
- Project Duration
- The project started in 2019 and finished in 2020 in İstanbul
- Operation Flow
- My initiative idea was fresh since İstanbul’s rhythm is very fast and tiring. For that reason, to fresh up and give energy to the guests was my main idea. To transform this idea, I mostly used natural designs with modern and minimal touches to refresh and rest the minds of the guests.
- Research
- To design the hotel was very exhausted. The reason is that when I searched the hotels in İstanbul most of them were designed in traditional Ottoman style. For that reason, I wanted to give a modern touch and to change the whole concept not only took time but also demanded too much concentration and energy.
- Inspiration
- My inspiration is based on the Bosphorous blue. To reflect the feeling of freshness blue is combined with an another color green. In addition to this I believe that the color blue also fits with the delta blue mark as well. Since it is a business hotel to my mind, guests can get rid of stress and a leave a tiring day behind with the calming and relaxing features of these colors which may help them to fresh up and increase their energy. Moreover, the view of the Bosphorous changes the stress of the crowded city mood into a peaceful and magical atmosphere.
- Image Credits
- Umit Okan of Photographer / Mohammad Reza Pezeshki, Adel Khanghahi, 24 hoursmedia of Video Creator Teams
- Patents
- Saadet Abdik Architecture TR 2021/046508
Colors of Fresh Interior Design
Grand Interview about Fresh Interior Design
Thank you! The Bosphorus has always been a deep source of inspiration for me — not only for its mesmerizing shades of blue, but also for the sense of calm and connection it evokes. In Fresh Interior Design, I wanted to capture that duality: the energy and depth of the water, balanced by serenity and fluidity.The color palette draws directly from the Bosphorus — layers of blue, from misty morning tones to deep navy — paired with neutral, natural textures. This combination creates a space that feels both modern and organic, with light and movement that shift throughout the day, much like the Bosphorus itself.Ultimately, it’s about bringing that timeless, effortless harmony of nature into contemporary living spaces.
Material selection was guided by the idea of balance — between refinement and authenticity. I wanted every element to tell a story about Istanbul, where tradition and modernity coexist so naturally. The luxurious marble reflects the city’s architectural heritage and timeless elegance, while the bird-motif fabrics introduce a softer, more poetic layer inspired by nature and local artistry.By combining these contrasting yet complementary materials, the aim was to create spaces that feel both cosmopolitan and deeply rooted in cultural memory — a harmony that mirrors Istanbul itself.
The main challenge was to create a sense of intimacy within a large-scale commercial environment. My approach focused on human-centered design — crafting spaces that feel personal, calm, and intuitive despite the hotel’s scale. I used soft color transitions, natural light, and fluid spatial planning to guide guests seamlessly through the interior while maintaining a peaceful rhythm throughout.Functionality remained essential: every aesthetic decision was supported by purpose. The result is a space that not only operates efficiently as a business hotel but also offers guests a moment of pause — a sanctuary within the city.
My intention was never to reject tradition, but to reinterpret it through a contemporary lens. Istanbul is a city where history and modern life constantly interact, and I wanted Fresh Interior Design to reflect that dialogue. Moving away from ornate Ottoman motifs allowed me to focus on form, light, and texture — creating a sense of understated luxury that feels timeless rather than thematic.This modern minimal approach enhances the guest experience by offering clarity and calm. It gives visitors the freedom to breathe, to feel connected to the city’s spirit without being overwhelmed by visual density — a quiet sophistication that resonates on an emotional level.
The mirrors and natural plants were designed to work together as a subtle narrative of renewal and presence. The mirrors expand visual boundaries, capturing light and movement, while the plants introduce living softness — grounding the space with a sense of nature and well-being. Their interplay symbolizes a balance between reflection and growth, inviting guests to feel both uplifted and connected to the moment. In essence, it’s about creating an environment that continually breathes, shifts, and gently engages the senses — a quiet reminder of harmony within contemporary life.
Sustainability was an essential part of the design narrative, not a compromise. The goal was to prove that environmental responsibility and refined luxury can coexist seamlessly. We prioritized locally sourced materials, energy-efficient lighting, and long-lasting, natural finishes that age gracefully over time. Every choice — from fabrics to fixtures — was guided by durability, quality, and environmental impact.By integrating these eco-conscious practices into a sophisticated aesthetic, Fresh Interior Design achieves a five-star standard that feels both responsible and enduring — luxury with a conscience.
Understanding the psychology of urban life was central to the project. Business travelers are constantly surrounded by stimulation and intensity, so I wanted Fresh Interior Design to act as a gentle counterbalance — a space that restores calm after the city’s fast pace. Soft lighting, fluid circulation, and a soothing, nature-inspired palette were key to creating this sense of relief.Every material, texture, and acoustic detail was carefully selected to encourage mental clarity and relaxation. The result is an environment that helps guests transition effortlessly from urban stress to inner balance.
From the beginning, technology was envisioned as an invisible layer — enhancing comfort and atmosphere without overpowering the natural beauty of the materials. Smart lighting systems, climate control, and acoustic solutions were integrated seamlessly to support functionality and wellbeing. This allowed the tactile, organic elements — like textured surfaces and soft natural tones — to remain the visual and emotional focus.The harmony between innovation and nature creates a quietly intelligent environment: one that feels intuitive, balanced, and deeply attuned to the rhythms of modern urban life.
The spa area was envisioned as the emotional core of Fresh Interior Design — a place where the design philosophy of calm and renewal reaches its most tangible form. In this 1,000-square-meter wellness zone, I focused on creating a sensory journey rather than a static space. Natural textures, water-inspired reflections, and diffused, layered lighting were used to evoke tranquility and depth.Spatial flow was designed to feel organic, guiding guests gradually from dynamic social areas into quieter, restorative zones. Every surface, scent, and sound was curated to encourage stillness and introspection — transforming the spa into not just a facility, but an experience of mindful retreat within the urban setting.
I believe Fresh Interior Design represents a shift in how luxury is defined within Istanbul’s hospitality scene. True luxury today is less about opulence and more about authenticity, emotion, and wellbeing. My goal was to reinterpret Istanbul’s spirit through a modern lens — blending cultural depth with a sense of calm clarity that resonates with contemporary travelers.I see this approach inspiring a broader movement toward meaningful design: hotels that prioritize sensory balance, sustainability, and emotional connection over decorative excess. In that sense, the project is not just a design statement, but a quiet invitation for the future of hospitality in Istanbul to feel more human, grounded, and reflective of its evolving identity.