Cultural-Geographic Factors in Branded Housing Interiors: Istanbul and Ulaanbaatar Study

Authors : Amara Köprülü, Yunus Emre Boz, Yelin Türer Evcen

Pages : 101-130

Doi:10.26835/my.1491923

View : 52 | Download : 34

Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In recent years, branded housing projects have proliferated in urbanized cities globally, with sample apartments designed to reflect an \\\"ideal life\\\" based on brand identity. While these interiors often present consistent contemporary living notions, they also exhibit variations shaped by the cultural and geographical contexts of the respective country, city, or neighborhood. This study aims to investigate the design differences arising from these factors by analyzing two model apartments designed by Gonye Design—one located in Istanbul, the other in Ulaanbaatar—selected for their comparable size, designer, design concept, year, and target user profile. Supported by Gonye Design, an accredited design center by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology specializing in branded residential interiors, the research utilizes a literature review of interior architecture, as well as interviews with the co-founder of Gonye Design, whose insights inform the analysis. The case studies are examined through technical drawings, 3D visuals, mood boards, and interviews with the design team. The findings are presented in a table. The case studies, which represent the unique value of the research, were designed by Gonye Design in 2022 and form the scope of the sample. To optimize the similarity of the projects in terms of the specified criteria, the sample was limited to two branded residential projects—one national and one international—carried out by Gonye Design. As a result of the study, not only similarities between the designs are observed, but also specific differences based on cultural and geographical factors are identified. It is anticipated that examining and evaluating the interior design differences resulting from cultural and geographical factors will play an effective role in defining methods and criteria that can be followed to create unique values in future interior design projects.
Keywords : Branded Housing Project, Interior Architecture, Design, Culture and Geography, Istanbul and Ulaanbaatar