Collaboration Between the Industrial Design Program and Koleksiyon Furniture for an Undergraduate Course and a Graduation Project

The Undergraduate Industrial Design Program of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Özyeğin University partnered with Koleksiyon Furniture during the 2024-2025 Fall semester for the project “Not Wasted: Transforming Waste into Sustainable Designs.”

Led by Prof. Alpay Er, Head of the Industrial Design Program, along with Visiting Instructor Seyman Çay and Research Assistant Ulaş Tigin at Özyeğin University, the project was centered on the concept of sustainability throughout the courses “IDE 401: Design Studio V” and “IDE 402: Design Graduation Studio VI.” The collaboration aimed to repurpose waste materials, such as wood, metal, and textiles, generated during Koleksiyon Furniture’s production processes into innovative and functional designs, to incorporate at least 80% recycled materials. Students were encouraged to design products that align with zero-carbon goals, emphasize the tactile qualities of materials, and promote physical interaction. As part of the project designed to foster environmental responsibility through a creative approach, students visited the Koleksiyon Furniture factory in September 2024 and the Koleksiyon Furniture showroom in November 2024. At the end of the semester, students presented their projects to a final jury composed of project leaders and representatives from various departments of Koleksiyon Furniture.