Press Release
Cotton Boll Private Lounge by Ece Gulagac and Ozkan Gulagac Wins the Golden A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Ece Gulagac and Ozkan Gulagac honored for interior space and exhibition design by the international grand jury of the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 21, 2025 /DesignNewswire/ Cotton Boll Private Lounge by Ece Gulagac and Ozkan Gulagac, designed for OGE Architects, has been granted the Golden A' Design Award in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The result belongs to the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
What the Golden A' Design Award Means
The Gold A' Design Award is granted to designs that demonstrate a high level of innovation and a significant impact on their intended audience. Recognized as a major achievement by the A' Design Awards, these designs are characterized by their visionary approach and the exceptional skill of their creators. Winners of the Gold A' Design Award are noted for their ability to push the envelope in art, science, design, and technology, delivering solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. These designs serve as benchmarks for excellence, encouraging further innovation and inspiring future generations of designers.
About Cotton Boll Private Lounge
Cotton Boll is an airport lounge at Cukurova Airport that blends cultural heritage, comfort, and sustainability. Inspired by the region's cotton fields and artisanal textiles, the design features a flowing ceiling structure with natural cotton fabrics and integrated led lighting. A handcrafted mosaic panel, echoing local craftsmanship, enhances the space's identity. Thoughtfully arranged seating, intuitive spatial flow, and sustainable materials ensure a seamless passenger experience. By merging tradition with modernity, Cotton Boll transforms transit into a refined cultural journey.
About Ece Gulagac and Ozkan Gulagac
Ece Gülağaç is an architect and co-founder of Öge Mimarlık, an Istanbul-based design studio established in 2010 together with Özkan Gülağaç. Their work explores spatial solutions across diverse programs and scales, from cultural and commercial buildings to hospitality and workplace environments. They lead with a research-based, collaborative approach, focusing on how architecture engages with social, cultural, and environmental narratives. Through their practice, they contribute to the built environment by developing projects that prioritize user experience, contextual sensitivity, and long-term adaptability.
Award Record
This recognition makes Ece Gulagac and Ozkan Gulagac a winner of 2 A' Design Awards. The awards were granted in the 2024 - 2025 edition of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award
The A' Interior Design Award is an international interior design competition recognizing good interior designs by interior designers and architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to interior designers, interior architects, architects and decorators from all countries. Typical entries include residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries and retail stores. The awarded interior designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/interior
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/164862
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/164862
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!164862
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/356812
- Further Information from the Laureate: http://www.ogemimarlik.com
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Cotton Boll Private Lounge
- Function
- Private Lounge
- Category
- Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture and Packaging & Retail
- Colors
- Dark Gray, Silver, Light Gray, Sienna and Rosy Brown
- Images
- 5
- Client
- OGE Architects
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Ece Gulagac and Ozkan Gulagac
- Country
- Turkiye
- Recognition
- Golden A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2024 - 2025
- Design ID
- #164862
Credits
- Team
- Ece Gulagac and Ozkan Gulagac
- Image Credits
- OGE Architects
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- The design aims to ensure that the region's unique local and cultural essence is felt in every corner of the space. These elements are interpreted with a focus on comfort and experience while addressing the needs of passengers and seamlessly integrating them into the overall composition. At the same time, this interpretation is harmonized with the airline's corporate identity, giving the space a strong and distinctive character.
- Inspiration
- The project is located within Çukurova Airport, which is situated in southern Turkey and was inaugurated in 2023. In addition to being one of the oldest human settlements, the region holds great historical, geographical, and economic significance. The interior design focuses on these factors, along with passenger experiences, comfort, and sustainability. The cotton produced in the region, cotton fields, traditional handcrafted textiles, historical buildings have been our sources of inspiration.
- Research
- This project explores the relationship between cultural heritage, nature, and modern travel experiences. Inspired by Çukurova’s rich history, geography, and economy, the design integrates local materials and traditions into a contemporary setting. By incorporating elements such as cotton fields and handcrafted textiles, the space creates a sensory experience that reflects the essence of the region. Prioritizing comfort and sustainability, the project redefines the airport experience with a human-centered approach.
- Challenge
- The main creative challenge was to harmoniously blend Çukurova’s deep-rooted historical and cultural identity with the modern needs of an airport environment. Balancing authenticity with functionality required extensive research into local craftsmanship, materials, and architectural heritage. Social and historical perspectives influenced the integration of regional symbols, such as cotton fields and handcrafted textiles, while sustainability concerns drove the selection of natural and locally sourced materials. At the same time, ensuring durability was a key priority in material selection.
- Realization and Technology
- The linear texture of the cotton fields in the Çukurova region is interpreted in harmony with the "Flow" concept from the airline's corporate identity, resulting in a curvilinear ceiling pattern in the lounge area. To enhance the design, natural textile fabrics derived from cotton were selected, reinforcing both visual continuity and material authenticity. To emphasize the fluidity and softness of cotton’s white texture, flexible LED lighting was integrated between the fabric layers. To prevent direct eye contact with the light source, the fabrics were installed vertically on both sides of the LED strips, ensuring a diffused and visually comfortable illumination.
- Operation and Interaction
- The space is designed to make travel easier and more enjoyable. Passengers move through the area smoothly, guided by natural flow and intuitive design. Inspired by local culture, interactive elements create a welcoming and engaging experience. By blending comfort, tradition, and functionality, the design reduces stress and enhances the journey, making every moment feel more relaxing and meaningful.
- Project Duration and Location
- The design and implementation projects were completed between February and August 2023. The implementation process began in March 2024 and the project was opened to users in September 2024.
- Specifications
- The project consists of a 420 square meters lounge area, a 205 square meters semi-open terrace area, and a 140 square meters crew resting area, with a total enclosed space of 765 square meters.
- Keywords
- Cukurova airport, cultural heritage, sustainable design, passenger experience, airport lounge, cotton-inspired design, handcrafted textiles, regional identity, modern travel spaces, natural materials
