“The fact that the WAF “Best Use of Stone” award is being presented this year with the sponsorship of Turkish Stones not only highlights the quality of Turkish natural stone but also brings its potential for innovation in design to the global architectural stage.”
Based in Istanbul, the collective architectural firm BAB Architects develops projects in the fields of architecture, interior architecture, television set design, and scenography, offering services in design, project management, implementation, and consultancy from their office in Kadıköy. The architects approach each new project as a fresh start within its specific context, addressing the unique needs of the site, building, and space. With this mindset, they produce innovative, high-quality, and character-driven solutions that contribute value, all within a design studio framework. The founders of BAB Architects, Interior Designers Hüseyin Beş and Yurdaer Beş, alongside Architect İrem Arıbaş, discuss their national and international architectural and interior design projects, their prominent “broadcast design” works that hold a significant place in their portfolio, the material choices that shape their designs, their experience at the 2024 World Architecture Festival, as well as their insights on the “Best Use of Stone” category and Turkish Stone.
Could you briefly tell us about BAB Architects?
BAB is a collective architectural formation based in Istanbul. At our office located in Kadıköy, we develop projects in the fields of architecture, interior design, television set design, and stage design under the headings of design, project management, implementation, and consultancy services. We emphasize a human-centered, environmentally friendly, and unique approach in our work. Our career journey actually began many years ago during our university years. Over time, as we worked separately on various projects in the private sector, we realized the joy, beauty, and responsibility of design. Eventually, we understood that we wanted to establish a structure in line with our ideals and with our own style. Over the years, we progressed with the goal of opening an office that would be positioned in the industry with a design workshop approach. We have learned and developed ourselves along the way. Our priority has always been to create distinctive, value-added projects that respond to the needs of the spaces we design and their relationship with the surrounding environment. Using the subtleties of design, we have aimed to create aesthetic spaces that are functional and adaptable to their environmental conditions.
We sincerely congratulate you on your project for the Anadolu Agency Istanbul Headquarters and Open Office, which was a finalist in the “Inside – Workplace (Large)” category at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards. Could you briefly share the details of the project?
The Anadolu Agency Istanbul Headquarters and Open Office Project is an interior architecture project developed from scratch, involving the design and planning of interior spaces that were delivered as raw construction, while the exterior façade design and implementation had already been completed. The building consists of 15,000 square meters of construction area, with three basement levels, a ground floor, and 12 upper floors. When developing the interior design concept for this structure, we aimed for a design that not only responded to architectural planning but also addressed technological and infrastructural concerns related to publishing. The design needed to reflect the institution’s historical prestige as well as its innovative vision. In addition to this, our design goals were influenced by the fact that the building needed to accommodate numerous people and create a global office environment operating 24/7. Therefore, it was important to go beyond merely meeting the employer’s needs and place a significant emphasis on the user experience. The project is divided into three main sections: the executive floor, open-plan office floors, and shared spaces on the ground and basement levels, including the main entrance lobby, staff entrance lobby, a café-bistro, a mini-amphitheater/seminar area, gym, prayer room, etc. The interior landscaping, implemented in collaboration with Verda Botanic, has been supported by a detailed and comprehensive landscape project throughout the entire building.
How would you describe the significance of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) for Turkish architects and for you personally?
The World Architecture Festival (WAF) is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious platforms in the architectural world. It brings together architects, interior designers, designers, and industry professionals from around the globe, allowing them to showcase highly qualified projects in an environment that encourages interaction. For Turkish architects and designers, the opportunity to showcase their potential and creativity on such an international platform is of great value for our industry. Projects from our country, interpreted by designers from different cultures, provide both inspiration and an opportunity for development. We also believe that all the projects reaching the final stage have undergone a rigorous evaluation process, meeting WAF’s high standards. For us, having our project reach the finals is an important affirmation that we are on the right path with our design principles and that we have reached the international standards we aimed for. The fact that our design language has drawn attention on a global scale makes it incredibly meaningful, as it offers us the responsibility and opportunity to represent the values of Turkish architecture, innovative solutions, and design philosophy.
This year, the “Best Use of Stone” award was sponsored by Turkish Stones at WAF. What do you think about the importance of this step in promoting Turkish natural stones worldwide?
First of all, we are particularly proud that 2024 is the first year Turkish Stones sponsored WAF, and our participation as finalists during this inaugural year adds to the excitement and joy of the occasion. As BAB, we are highly aware of the value of Turkey’s rich natural stone reserves and the versatile contributions of Turkish natural stones to our projects, particularly regarding their durability and aesthetic diversity. The decision to award the “Best Use of Stone” under the sponsorship of Turkish Stones is a very strategic and effective step in terms of promoting this value internationally. More than just showcasing the quality of Turkish natural stones, it also highlights their innovative potential in design, bringing Turkish stones to the forefront of the global architectural stage. Furthermore, this move promotes Turkish stones not only as a building material but also as an integral part of Turkish culture and geography. We believe this special award and similar initiatives in the future will undoubtedly encourage more designers worldwide to use Turkish natural stones in their projects, contributing significantly to Turkey’s natural stone exports and enhancing the country’s brand value internationally.
What does natural stone mean to you in your designs? How would you summarize the value it brings to spaces?
Natural stones are a material with great diversity, adding a unique texture to interiors. They are free of harmful substances and toxins, making them safe for both interior and exterior use. Furthermore, they are one of the oldest construction materials known and used by humans. Even when people lived in structures made of clay and wood, they incorporated natural stones into monumental buildings. Moreover, natural stone is a recyclable material, which helps reduce its negative impact on the ecosystem.
Is there a specific type of natural stone or color that particularly affects you?
Natural stones are materials with both variety in product selection and surface finishes. Even slabs of the same stone can create vastly different surface effects. With special work during the modulation of pieces and various combinations, you can achieve surfaces that are unique. Given the material’s possibilities and its unique character, it’s difficult to limit yourself to just one type or color. In our projects, even when we choose a natural stone with a specific idea in mind, every time, new connections are made in the process. To put it simply, you can never fully choose a natural stone from a catalog or by just a sample piece. The material will find you amidst the many options available, bringing the perfect solution to meet your needs.
Given that Turkey is the homeland of marble, do you think natural stone is used sufficiently in architecture? What steps should be taken?
Certainly, we encounter successful examples of natural stone usage in many important projects across the country. However, with the opportunities we have, we must honestly say that it is still difficult to answer “yes” to the question of whether it is being used “sufficiently.” The wide range of natural stone usage, combined with developing technology, means that it can now be found in nearly every area. If you are willing to invest the necessary time in its processing, without avoiding craftsmanship, you can turn the use of natural stone into an art form. This characteristic not only reinforces the material’s inherent value but also elevates the entire design process. Referring to our own experiences, we feel that the time and budget allocated to projects in Turkey often hinder this potential. As professionals—architects and interior designers—while we can advocate for the added value a material like natural stone brings to the project, the final decision on material choice is often not left entirely to us. Despite our persistence, it is challenging to convince clients without firsthand experience or seeing the long-term benefits of the material. In this regard, it may be more effective to support material choices and the added value we foresee with appropriate regulations and guidelines.
Do you think natural stone is sufficiently taught to young architect candidates in architectural faculties?
We believe that it is certainly taught, but in our profession, unlike many other fields, the education of young architects begins the moment they step into the academic world. We know that there are many valuable academics supporting this process and grounding them in the profession. However, to make a definitive assessment, we feel we are somewhat distant from observing the opportunities provided within educational programs. Based on Turkey’s general education system, we believe that beyond just teaching about the material, students should also receive practical training to better understand its applications.
