Role: Production Manager & Designer
Team: Avşar Gürpınar, Cansu Cürgen, Metincan Güzel, Mete Godollar
Date: 2018
Location: Istanbul Modern, Turkey
Focus:
Space Design: Educational & Interactive Environment
Furniture Design: Ergonomic & Tech-Integrated Units for Children
Production Management: Planning, Sourcing, Material Management
Tools: SolidWorks, Rhinoceros, Advanced Woodworking
In the Art Maker Lab project, the primary challenge was to transform the complex digital installations and robotic units conceptualized by Bager Akbay and his team into a physical environment where children could interact safely and inquisitively. While aligning the visions of two distinct teams into a unified design language, we aimed to create a space that felt like an inviting "learning center" rather than just a laboratory—one perfectly scaled to children’s physical dimensions and ergonomics.
As the Production Manager, my role was to perfect the physical touchpoints between the digital implementations and the spatial environment. We developed a furniture system that prioritized child ergonomics while remaining durable and flexible. We executed a visual language that provided space for technology without compromising our "silent" and minimalist design philosophy. During the production phase, the seamless integration of technological hardware—such as wiring and sensor mounts—within the furniture was our primary focus. My key insight was that technology in a child’s world only becomes a lasting experience when supported by a well-designed physical interface.
Art Maker Lab became a success story at Istanbul Modern, reaching thousands of children by making technology tangible. The synergy between the two teams—digital and physical—was reflected in every detail of the space. For me, this project represented the orchestration of complex technological requirements into a high-standard, child-friendly production.