Name : Cem Kapancioglu
Company: CK Architecture & Interiors
Position within the company: Managing Director
Website: www.ckarchitecture.com
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience,etc)
I’m an Architect, been in and around construction business since I was a child as my father was an architect and engineer. I studied Architecture in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University for 7 years. It was a gruelling but enjoyable experience. I appreciated the time when I lived in Istanbul, admiring the architectural beauty which instilled great values and ideas which later helped me when I started my own venture. Before I had started my Company, I worked in one of the first consultancies in Dubai, Eronat Engineering. After working here for a year, I went back to Istanbul and worked in a Design Firms like Kocaciklioglu Architects and Arketipodesign. They sent me back to Dubai for a project worth around 500 million in those peak times for designing and building.
Since I was a kid, I was always into design, creating logos and participating in Architectural competitions. I see design as a part of life. I don’t really differentiate between Architecture or Interior design but focus on defining a problem and using design as a solution.
How would you describe your personal design style?
I wouldn’t really say I have a personal Interior Design style. I would follow contemporary modern design methodology. I find minimalist contemporary modern design less appealing.
I feel that design is like an emotion which isn’t always rational. In Interior Design I plan my space in whichever way it aligns with my soul whether it is rational or not. My style is more about passion and love in a living space and adding a personal touch, providing a functional and productive space to the client.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
The creativity and elemental surprise come from redefining and rethinking a concept repeatedly and recollecting all of your life experiences. I always get inspiration from the things around me like nature, the universe, the newspapers/magazines I read, the people, craftsmen around me, the movies or TV shows I watch and even my social media feed.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards a general sense?
To know about the direction at which design is moving, we need to define what is design. Design isn’t really about what is happening in the world but its moving around what people need.
It is different when we talk about product, Interior space or Architectural design as the scale, economics, and relations it brings in differs.
Design is moving in the right direction due to the collaboration among people and the advancement of technology.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Interior design cannot be separated from the constructional fit. The best way to do an interior design is to keep one entity responsible for the outcome, that is the Interior Designer, from the concept inception stage till the handover of the project. Responsibility and accountability are important while designing a project.
How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards as a recognition of talent and achievement?
Awards like these are important validate the good practices, uniqueness, good workmanship and craftmanship.
What are your aims and goals for the next 12 months?
We’ll be a part of Expo 2020, and will be finalising a few projects in The Palm. Our main target is to increase our quality and reach to an audience looking for high end, luxurious design. We are also looking forward to inaugurating our new office in Onyx Tower in Sheikh Zayed road.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession? My children Sarp and Alp.
Your favourite holiday destination? Maldives
Your favourite hotel, restaurant and a bar?
Four seasons, Maldives
Zuma, Dubai
Buda Bar, Paris
Your favourite book, film, Song?
Book: The Fountain Head By Ayn Rand
Film: Fight Club
Song: My Way By Frank Sinatra
Your favourite food and drink? Black cod and Asahi
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? Sailing in Eagen Sea
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? A poet
Anything else interesting?
I have coached a basketball team, I can dance Salsa, I like to monitor the Real Estate prices all around the world and tend to compare them, and I have also taught in NYIT.
CK Architecture have been shortlisted for Residential Property £2.5-5 Million (Property by Value) Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2020.
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