Research & Curation: Pelin Derviş
Exhibition Furniture Design & Production: Avşar Gürpınar & Mete Godollar
Date: Nov 17, 2017 – Jan 19, 2018
Location: Studio-X Istanbul
Workshop: Bilgi University Production Lab
Collaborators: Rahman Çelebi, Mert Onur (Installation & Support)
Focus:
Planning: Material Selection, Sourcing, Logistics, and Production Planning
Production: Advanced Woodworking, CNC Routing (Milling & Laser), 3D Printing, Manual Installation
Technical Design: 3D Modeling, Nesting Softwares, Prototyping
Custom Details: Integrated Lighting Units, Custom Tablet Enclosures, Display Systems
The primary challenge of this exhibition, which archives the history of architectural model-making in Turkey, was to create a display system that wouldn't overshadow the intricate details of the models. Together with Avşar Gürpınar, we aimed for a "silent" and minimalist furniture language that supported the artifacts through its own inherent fabrication logic. The desks and exhibition units had to function not just as pedestals, but as integrated systems housing lighting and digital displays.
Leveraging the facilities of Bilgi University, we managed the entire production of the project—from material sourcing and 3D modeling to final assembly. We allowed the production techniques to guide the aesthetic output. A key detail was the integration of custom tablet cases within the work desks and self-illuminated display units, providing a seamless digital layer to the exhibition. Through the collaborative efforts of Rahman Çelebi and Mert Onur during logistics and installation, we successfully translated Pelin Derviş’s research into high-precision physical artifacts.
The furniture provided a professional framework without competing with the archival models. This production-driven process proved that complex functional requirements can be resolved through a minimalist design language. For me, this remains one of the most rewarding experiences—where raw materials met design through personal craftsmanship and a strong spirit of collective collaboration.