Ibrahim Halil TUGBAY

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ibrahim Halil TUGBAY ("IHT") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

IHT : My design background dates back to my childhood years. Since those years, the idea of instinctively designing and creating something always excited me. I completed my architecture degree 7 years ago and started my working life by establishing my own office. This year, I completed my master's degree and earned the title of Master Architect. To date, I have been involved in both design and project applications in many countries, especially Türkiye, America, Dubai, Ukraine, and Germany. I mainly designed and implemented luxury mansions, hotels, restaurants, and waterside mansion projects. My team and I make all applications and designs in-house. We have been a big family since the first day with 4 Architects, 1 Civil Engineer, 2 Interior Architects and a construction, furniture and application team of approximately 150 people. We have provided and implemented spaces that we enjoy designing and implementing for many well-known users, including heads of state. For me and my team, design is the embodiment of love in the world.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

IHT : The idea of creating something and immortalizing your name is, in my opinion, the greatest source of pleasure in this world. Because when the last person who remembers your name dies, you will be considered as never having existed. Design is the most wonderful thing that can be done to immortalize and beautify our world. Because the work you create is passed on from generation to generation, and these areas where many stories will occur may even be the source of motivation for many civilizations.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

IHT : It was my childhood dream to be a designer and achieving this dream is an indescribable feeling for me. I think it is impossible to be a designer by force. Because to create something you have to dream and then you have to fall in love with your dream. Only this way a design may emerge as a result.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

IHT : We can design anything structurally. But as we said at the beginning, we can generally design and implement many structural things such as villas, hotels, restaurants, luxury buildings, public housing, and waterside residences upon requests from users.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

IHT : First of all, they need to love their designs and bring them to life. Because we cannot be successful in anything we do not like. Secondly, a designer both adds and sells a vision to the user. In order to achieve this vision, a designer must analyze both the environment and the world very well and constantly travel and see. It is not the one who reads more but the one who travels more is more knowledgeable. Because it is the traveler who writes what the reader reads.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

IHT : A good designer is also a good analyst. They respond to analyses and requests. But a great designer creates more unique works by adding his own vision and dreams. A good designer gets acclaimed, but a great designer gets vigorously applauded.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

IHT : A good design must first have good functionality. To give an example, imagine that you bought a car with a magnificent design, but it has no engine and does not move. It is of no use to you. Still, it doesn't change the fact that it has a good design. But the most important thing is that the engine works and serves you moreover that the onlookers admire it. In order to call a design a good design, it must be both very original and sustainable.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

IHT : We can explain the value of good design with many elements that have very different values even though they are made with the same materials. The originality of the design determines its value. We can see this not only in buildings but in many different areas. The more unique the structure, the rarer it is and what is rare is always valuable. But unfortunately, designs that are far from originality and contain mediocrity are doomed to not be valued. Because there is always another alternative that can be chosen instead.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

IHT : If I had time, I would like to design a palace or a religious building that would be the symbol of any country. Because these types of buildings must be both very original and symbolic. This is the only thing that will carry the designer's name to eternity.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

IHT : My own house. A Turkish proverb says, 'A tailor cannot sew his own clothes.' Since I was always focused on work, I could not find the opportunity to design the house I dreamed of living in.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

IHT : The secret of success in design is to use natural materials that are sustainable and suitable for environmental conditions. Because different uses of a material that they see all the time are always interesting to human beings. I usually compare this to food. You will never crave a meal that you haven't tasted. Although the differences are nice, this is very important in terms of both the sustainability and originality of that design.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

IHT : Mimar Sinan and Antoni Gaudi, of course.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

IHT : Any design that is different and unique attracts my attention. Whenever I see a unique design, it inspires and helps me create new ideas, and makes me better my designs. As I mentioned above, any design where I see a different use of a material I know is a beautiful design for me and attracts my attention.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

IHT : I think every design of mine is my best design. I can never pick one over another because the work I do is both my childhood dream and my source of life and inspiration today, so I have made all my designs with the same care and desire and will continue to do so. But if I had to choose one, it would be my dream house, which I still haven't built. Because the best design is the one that has not been made yet and the best designer has still not been born. But I know a good designer, I saw him in the mirror this morning.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

IHT : I believe I am a very good observer. Because looking and seeing are not the same thing. If you want to make a good design, you need to smell not only the reality but also the spirituality of that area. Based on the structures they mainly design I would recommend that they either experience living in that type of buildings or regularly spend time in those areas.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

IHT : I couldn't live if I wasn't a designer. Because productivity is in my soul.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

IHT : For me, design is the embodiment of a dream.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

IHT : No one ever reaches their place alone. Every person is actually a product of a team. In my team, no matter their titles, there are very valuable people.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

IHT : The determination to chase my dreams.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

IHT : Like every industry, our industry also has many challenges; the work we do is not just about design but also a sequence of persuasion.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

IHT : I believe every project they present uniquely with all its details will be successful.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

IHT : My next project is a large hotel project. As long as I and humanity exist, I will continue to design according to their needs, regardless of size, and I do not intend to put a limit on this.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

IHT : My ultimate goal is to always present the power of design and aesthetics to the service of humanity and, one day, when we are gone, to exist in their lives with my designs that carry the quality of a masterpiece.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

IHT : To serve as a bridge between the past and the future, transferring experience and knowledge to the next generations.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

IHT : Design is actually one of the most fundamental things that form our subconscious. Every day we sleep in one design and wake up in another, spending our day within yet another design. All the objects we see and use are products of design and are one of the factors that most affect human psychology. The grandeur of historical buildings is for this reason.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

IHT : Currently, and generally, I don't have much time to be interested in anything other than my work. Either for design or application, even in my free time, I find myself getting lost in thoughts, willingly or unwillingly.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

IHT : Villa designs are among the projects we enjoy the most. Because every new user opens the doors to a different world, which both excites us and teaches us new things about design. Many buildings have standards according to their use, but designs like villas are entirely user-oriented, allowing us to apply many unconventional ideas.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

IHT : I wish for more unique designs that stray from standards.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

IHT : From past to present, design has never had a boundary. We humans, who once designed figures to give meaning to stone, today design many unimaginable things, and in the future, I am sure this will reach an even more unimaginable level.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

IHT : Although it varies with size, it is generally completed to a large extent within about a week.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

IHT : Our design process, which starts with analysis, continues with a functionality map. Once we are sure of these, the design begins to take shape, and we go wherever the dream takes us.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

IHT : Always forward.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

IHT : This is actually a very ironic question. Whether the chicken came from the egg or the egg from the chicken doesn't matter. We designers are always taste hunters. The taste is important to us. When I create my designs, I never think about making it trendy or benefiting from trends. A design that is correctly analyzed belongs to no time; it is a product of all times and never becomes outdated.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

IHT : In the 21st century, design is entirely technology-based, and we follow these technologies very closely.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

IHT : We use at least six different architectural programs in our work. Because we need to present our designs to users in the most realistic and beautiful way. Not only that, but we also utilize technological capabilities in presentations, allowing users to walk through the project with virtual reality glasses, making them both understand and experience it better.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

IHT : Color is one of the most important elements affecting human psychology. For example, you cannot sleep in a completely red bedroom after a certain time, or you cannot use a glass table in very hot or very cold climates. We can explain the effect of color and material on humans with many such examples.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

IHT : I want people to ask anything they are curious about regarding my designs. Because when thinking about or implementing my designs, I consider every detail. In a design thought out to such fine details, you always have an answer for every question.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

IHT : When I see such products, thinking about where I can use them makes me consider new projects and new designs. Instead of deduction, I reach conclusions through induction.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

IHT : Ideal design is a relative concept. If we are to come to a common design, since our designs appeal to people, the users of that space always become our design partners. I believe this is how ideal design emerges.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

IHT : Although this changes periodically, I generally listen to myself and my team in my designs.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

IHT : The biggest influence on my designs is the history and philosophy books I read that have nothing to do with design. For example, Mevlana's concept of 'Nothingness' has influenced the simplicity of my designs.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

IHT : Just as I have developed through observation and hard work, anyone who loves designing can develop themselves in this way.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

IHT : Of course, I would like to meet Mimar Sinan, who I consider one of the greatest architects of the world. I would like to learn how he developed the aesthetic and engineering perfection in his designs.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

IHT : Since the idea that a person should become smaller as they grow has been ingrained in me since childhood, it is difficult to fight against the arrogance created by such temporary things. But if you can achieve the opposite, it is very enjoyable and beautiful. I am currently enjoying and taking advantage of this.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

IHT : My favorite color is black. My favorite place is Istanbul, the capital of the world. My favorite food is all Turkish cuisine. My favorite season is winter. My favorite brand, of course, is Tuğbay Architecture.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

IHT : As a designer and implementer, although I am meticulous and detailed in every project, I found the paint color of my own house with great difficulty by mixing it despite the technological possibilities, and now, if even a small spot is damaged, I will have to repaint the whole house.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

IHT : I motivate myself by spending my remaining time with myself and my friends. In addition, I do not neglect my exercises and walks, which are very beneficial for my psychology.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

IHT : Rather than thinking about a thousand years ahead or even a year ahead, I prefer to live the moment in the best way and only look forward. If I can do my job and live my life in the best way, of course, I will leave a mark in this world a year later or a thousand years later.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

IHT : As a person who graduated last in my department and as a failed student, what I want them to know is that nothing in this life is luck. If you work with determination, there is nothing you can't do or achieve.