A Design Problem gathered design enthusiasts once more in its new season, bringing together three distinct perspectives that rethink the boundaries of material and form. In this session, Çağlar İşbilir, Elif Taştekne, and Murat Dede shared the narratives behind their practices and the transformative potential of the materials they work with.
Çağlar İşbilir reflected on the emotional and cultural memory of earth as a living material. Through the central installation “iN” at the Pavilion of Turkey in the Venice Architecture Biennale, he illustrated how soil can be carried across geographies, connecting Kapadokya to Venice and inviting audiences to physically and sensorially reconnect with the land.
Elif Taştekne highlighted the possibilities of plant-based materials in reshaping contemporary fashion. By shifting from animal-derived products to innovative biomaterials, she presented a design approach in which ethics and aesthetics coexist — demonstrating how what grows in nature can also redefine what we wear.
Murat Dede explored the delicate threshold between fragility and strength, focusing on an everyday object: the paper roll. Through subtle yet powerful gestures, he revealed how ordinary materials can be reimagined to construct structural presence, quietly overturning expectations and prompting a reconsideration of what is considered stable or possible.
In this gathering, three practices working with different mediums and philosophies converged to show how design extends beyond objects — into touch, memory, ethics, and the narratives embedded in matter itself.
Touching the Earth
Revolution with Plants
Adaptive Resistance
Zorlu Sky Lounge, Istanbul
Announcing the next session of Bir Tasarım Problemi, featuring an exceptional lineup of speakers.
Join us as renowned designers and architects share innovative solutions and transformative design approaches.
Mark your calendars and be part of this inspiring event.
