In his work Özelgin has consistently focused on
achieving modernism informed by local ideas of
spatial organization and a mix of modern and local
design motifs. Furthermore he has used certain spatial
archetypes to organize spaces around geometries
based on his fusion of free standing and built-in
furniture. To this archetypal spatial organization he has
added his refined ideas on how to achieve character
through materials, textures and forms often using art
and objects to create a heightened sense of interior
character.
In the T House, his design uses this strategy of layering
materials and symbols around prototypical spaces. Here
there is a combination of rich textures, symbolic forms,
man-made and natural patterns within a context of
modern design elements and strategies. The spaces
that are generated give the environment a forceful,
strong character in the context of free flowing space
and abundant light. In this way set in the cultural
framework of Istanbul in the current period Özelgin’s
design includes features that refer to Turkish culture
but do so in an interior emphasizing space and light
consistent with the basis of modern architecture. It is
this balance between the local and the modern that
gives this design its impact.
KASIM - ARALIK 2013 / NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2013 • NATURA 45