- How was SCAW – Sibel Cihan Architectural Works founded, and what are your basic principles in architectural design?
SCAW was founded with a perspective that believes that architecture contributes to investment value with material awareness and construction quality as well as design aesthetics. Our designs emphasise environmental sustainability, structural accuracy, refinement of detail, and a strong relationship between materials and meaning. Each project should leave not only a visual but also a physical and environmental mark. This approach also paves the way for us to emphasise deep-rooted materials such as natural stone in our designs.
- How has the perception and importance of architecture changed, and what are your views on the role and future of architecture?
Today, architecture has evolved from mere building production to a holistic process that encompasses investment, user experience, brand perception, and environmental impact. Architects are no longer just designers who make aesthetic decisions; they are also project leaders who manage technical, economic, and strategic parameters. The architecture of the future will be shaped by buildings that use natural resources consciously, optimise the construction and life cycle, and carry the character of the material.
- Which criteria are effective in the selection of building materials, and what are your preferred materials?
The choice of material has a direct impact on the functionality of a building, maintenance cost, ageing process, and user comfort. ‘Honest’ and time-resistant materials such as stone, wood, and concrete are prioritised in our projects. Especially natural stone offers solutions on many scales with its durability, thermal capacity, ease of maintenance, and aesthetic richness. Local production, carbon emissions, and recycling capability are also among our important criteria in material selection.
- Which stage of a project do you enjoy the most?
The concept phase is a creative process where the architectural vision merges with the investment objectives. The design language is determined by analysing the user profile, site dynamics, brand identity, and environmental data. In this process, the location, texture, and performance of the material are also considered as part of the design. Characterful materials such as natural stone give identity to the project at this stage.
- What kind of projects are in your portfolio?
As SCAW, we work on a wide range of projects from luxury residential buildings to commercial spaces. Understanding the expectations of different sectors and developing architectural strategies accordingly allows us to add specific and measurable value to each project. Depending on the type of project, the way natural stone is used also varies, which means creative diversity for us.
- Is there a special building or design that you aim to create in your professional career?
I want to design a cultural centre where natural stone guides the architectural narrative and establishes strong relationships with the context. Such a building offers the opportunity to strongly emphasise both the natural properties of the material and its place in contemporary architecture. In such buildings, the volumetric effect of the stone and the way it ages make the design more valuable over time.
- What is the importance of natural stone in your projects?
Natural stone is a strategic material that makes architecture timeless and makes a long-term contribution to the project in terms of investment. As a person who seeks simplicity and delicacy in aesthetics, I find the textural richness of the stone and the natural movement within the material very valuable. It also meets our sustainability criteria with its environmental friendliness, availability from domestic resources, and low-carbon emission production process.
- In which areas do you use natural stone in your projects?
Although it varies according to the project, natural stone is a material we frequently prefer for exterior cladding, interior floor and wall surfaces, stairs, bathrooms, and special production furniture. We also develop detailed solutions where stone is used in block form in a way to emphasise its sculptural properties. We attach importance to such applications that carry the character of the space and produce sustainable value simultaneously.
BODRUM MM HOUSE
Interior Design: SC/AW-SİBEL CİHAN MİMARLIK OFİSİ
Lighting Design: KITOKO
Photos: BURAK TEOMAN
Styling:SCAW-SİBEL CİHAN MİMARLIK OFİSİ – MESUT TALAY
