Interview with Ece Gülagac

I am the co-founder of OGE Architects, an Istanbul-based architecture and design studio established in 2010.
Our work covers architecture, interior architecture, corporate environments, hospitality and aviation-related projects. We are especially interested in projects where spatial design, brand identity, cultural context and user experience need to work together.
At OGE Architects, we develop projects from the initial concept through detailed design and implementation. For us, the strength of a project lies not only in the first idea, but in how consistently that idea survives until the space is actually built.

For me, design is the process of transforming an idea into an experience.
A successful space should not simply be visually attractive. It should communicate something, respond to its context and create an emotional connection with the people who use it.
In our projects, we often begin with a story rooted in geography, culture, nature or brand identity, and then translate that story into spatial decisions.

I particularly enjoy projects where many different layers need to be resolved together: architecture, interior design, lighting, materials, brand identity, circulation and user experience.
Airport lounges, hospitality environments and office projects are especially interesting to me. In lounge and hospitality projects, creating comfort, calmness and a strong spatial identity is particularly important, while in office projects, I value the opportunity to translate corporate culture, working habits and employee experience into the physical environment.
I enjoy bringing different user needs, operational requirements and aesthetic expectations together within one coherent design language. This balance between emotional impact and technical precision is one of the aspects of design that motivates me most.

I focus strongly on coherence.
The spatial organization, material palette, lighting, furniture and architectural details should all belong to the same idea.
I also pay great attention to circulation and user experience. A project may have a strong visual identity, but if people cannot move naturally through the space or feel comfortable in it, the design is incomplete.

For me, a successful design is one where concept, function, context, material and user experience support each other.
The strongest projects are those where cultural or conceptual references are not added superficially at the end, but are embedded in the architecture from the beginning.

I first look for clarity and coherence.
I want to understand whether there is a real idea behind the project and whether the spatial decisions support that idea.
After that, I look at proportions, circulation, materials, lighting, detailing and how the project responds to its users and context.

Designers have a responsibility that extends far beyond aesthetics.
Our decisions affect material consumption, energy use, durability and the long-term lifecycle of spaces.
I believe designers should prioritize adaptable solutions, responsible material selection and longevity. Sustainability should not be an additional layer added to a project; it should be part of the initial design thinking. This was also an important part of our approach in Cotton Boll, where natural materials, LED lighting, lightweight components and adaptable systems were considered together.

Design is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary.
Architecture is now closely connected with technology, sustainability, data, user experience and artificial intelligence.
I believe AI will fundamentally change the speed of exploration and visualization. However, the real value of designers will continue to lie in interpretation: understanding context, asking the right questions and giving meaning to all the information and possibilities technology provides.

We begin by understanding much more than the written project brief.
We try to understand the company's identity, operational requirements, users, expectations and long-term goals.
We then translate this information into a clear conceptual framework. Throughout the project, we work closely with clients, consultants, engineers and contractors because large-scale projects require constant coordination between design and implementation.

Our process begins with research.
We analyze the site, geography, cultural context, users, operational requirements and brand identity. From this research, we try to discover a central narrative that can guide the project.
Once the concept is established, we develop planning, materials, lighting, furniture and three-dimensional studies together rather than treating them as separate stages.
Later, the process becomes increasingly technical. At that stage, the challenge is to preserve the original concept while solving real-world constraints such as regulations, durability, production and construction.

Do not be in a hurry to create a personal style.
First learn how to observe.
Study buildings in reality, understand materials, learn how things are constructed and question why a design decision was made.
Digital tools are important, but architecture ultimately becomes physical. A designer who understands materials, construction and human behavior will always have a stronger foundation.
Remain curious and never stop researching.

A material, form, pattern or lighting element should not exist simply because it looks attractive.
When every decision supports the concept, function or experience, the project becomes much stronger and more timeless.

Observation, curiosity and critical thinking are essential.
A designer also needs spatial awareness, technical knowledge, communication skills and the ability to make decisions.
Another important quality is adaptability. Architecture constantly changes through technology, regulations, materials and social expectations, so designers must be willing to keep learning.