We had an interview with Ms. Eda Tahmaz, Founder of EDDA ARTHITECTURE . Tahmaz commented on the criteria to be considered in the design of corporate environments.
Could you briefly tell our readers about yourself, your educational background and your professional resume?
In 1991, I graduated from Yıldız Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Restoration. After 5 years of architectural survey and restoration project and application experience, I entered Mimar Sinan University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Interior Architecture.
After two years of education and working at the UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) in Industrial Products and then at the Museum of Science and Industry at Chicago, I founded EDDA Architecture.
As EDDA Architecture, we produce architectural and interior design projects. We have been doing creative and inspiring works in the sector for more than 20 years and we combine them with qualified applications and offer them to individual and corporate employers.
Long-term cooperation based on customer satisfaction is our motto. In particular, we implement office, bank, administrative buildings, housing, hotel projects, concept design and applications. We consider and analyze the space we design as a whole, not only in terms of interior design but also in furniture design and lighting design.
Could you give us information about the establishment process of EDDA Architecture and its current structure? How is the design process done at EDDA Architecture? How is the concept determined?
EDDA Architecture is a design studio based in Istanbul. We opened a branch in Montenegro as of last year.
We are a team with the main core staff of 7-8 people. The design process, although each project varies according to its place and purpose, the only thing that does not differ for us, is to prioritize the function in each space and to tell the story in the best way.
The main elements that we consider when constructing a space are to fully understand the desired function, purpose and emotion during the creation of the design stages and layers, and to preserve them in integrity.
What are the criteria that come to the forefront in the office environments you design for corporate companies? The sectors in which the companies operate are effective in the design of office environments. For example, what kind of design differences exist between the office of an engineering firm and the office of a financial institution?
As the needs changed from the past to the present, office designs have reached a different point. The opportunities offered by the office spaces have changed completely as the generational differences play an active role.
The places where employees will feel peaceful and comfortable, where they can communicate comfortably, blended with the warmth of natural materials and textures, have proven to contribute positively to the psychology of the employees.
I think that the use of natural materials, multi-purpose work areas, lounge areas, the colors used and the products and accessories chosen are very effective in increasing the motivation of the employees. Using different colors and natural textures together makes it easier for employees to produce different alternatives and creative ideas.
It is very effective in creating a more spacious working environment and thus increasing productivity with the architectural solutions realized with maximum utilization of natural light.
In this way, regardless of the functioning of the office, it is aimed to increase the office users who are more creative and active, to increase the dynamic life of the office.
The most important factor that determines the design process is the organization charts and internal working arrangements rather than the field of activity of the companies.
Housing prices are very high, especially in large cities. Therefore, many people have to choose smaller housing units. What do you recommend for functional use of spaces?
Abnormally crowded cities bring many difficulties for people. People need to work long hours to survive. These conditions make it difficult for people to communicate with each other, causing people to become increasingly lonely.
As a result of this, there are more single individuals now and the living spaces of the people are getting smaller due the effect of high living costs. Today, living spaces in many major metropolises around the world are planned as compact and modular living spaces that meet every need.
In compact houses, it is necessary to create spaces with highly colorful, foldable, interchangeable furniture in the interior architecture, as well as natural and raw surfaces.
We are slowly leaving 2019 behind. Can you tell us what you think about 2020 colors and decoration trends?
Along with the nature’s color go yellow, the decorations that take their inspiration from country houses and country style are also on the rise. A decoration to be created in beige and brown tones is ideal for this look.
It is possible to create a warm and cozy autumn atmosphere with wooden furniture accompanying the beige color used in the walls and textile products in earth tones. Animal figures such as leopards, zebra and cows and animal patterns come to the fore in the designs.
When combined with blue-gray, turquoise, green and red colors, earth tones, it adds a charm to the decoration by preventing a uniform appearance consisting only of brown tones. The dark shades of green are among the favorites of the season. This color can be used in wallpapers, sofa upholstery and textile products to make the decoration look more assertive.
Especially in vintage furniture, dark greens that come to the forefront together with velvet fabric attract the attention of decoration lovers even more this season.
It is possible to say that the effects of the return to the 70s in decoration with the mustard yellow and orange tones that will accompany this color, will continue for longer years. This effect can be further reinforced by large geometric forms and plaid patterns adopted in curved lines of furniture, accessories.
