Silver Furniture Design · 2025
Topkapi Sideboard
by Yilmaz Dogan
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: QZENS Furniture
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 53,691
- Verification code 4B65E8EA0F · Verify this award
About Topkapi Sideboard
Topkapi is a sideboard that blends traditional woodworking with modern technology. Its design features geometric motifs rooted in Turkish-Islamic art and Anatolian heritage, drawing inspiration from Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Crafted with high-quality lacquer, natural wood, brass details, and patina brushed copper, the piece integrates Cnc precision with artisanal handcrafting to connect historical tradition with contemporary production methods.
The Topkapi Sideboard by Yilmaz Dogan emerges from a rich tradition of geometric ornamentation that has defined visual culture across centuries, translating the mathematical sublime of tessellated patterns historically found adorning sacred architecture and royal interiors into a functional domestic object of remarkable presence, the designer demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how traditional decorative vocabularies can be recontextualized within contemporary furniture practice without diminishing either the heritage reference or the modern utility, the technical execution reveals considerable accomplishment in the application of the intricate twelve-pointed star lattice across multiple surfaces with absolute registration and consistency suggesting advanced fabrication methods harmonized with traditional design sensibility, the chromatic program establishes immediate visual hierarchy through the bold complementary relationship between the deep atmospheric blue ground and the luminous golden linear network, while the unexpected introduction of the rich crimson interior visible through the partially open door creates a tertiary color note that transforms the functional revelation into a moment of chromatic surprise, compositionally the work achieves dynamic balance through the asymmetrical positioning of the open door which activates negative space while the continuous pattern across remaining surfaces provides visual coherence, the brass ferrules punctuating the tapered legs introduce material variety and reflect the golden ornament above creating vertical visual rhymes, thematically the work invites contemplation on the relationship between mathematical beauty and functional purpose, between historical pattern languages and contemporary living environments, between surface decoration and structural integrity, viewers might consider how this synthesis of traditional ornamental vocabulary with modern furniture typology creates a bridge across temporal and cultural boundaries, inviting the sacred geometry of historical precedents into the quotidian space of domestic life.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Topkapi is a sideboard design that combines traditional woodworking techniques, which feature motifs inspired by geometric patterns dating back thousands of years and holding significant importance in Turkish Islamic art, with modern technology, resulting in finely crafted cover surfaces.
The motifs, carrying the rich heritage of Anatolian architecture and Turkish Islamic art, add a mystical and unique touch of the East to your living space. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Width: 221 cm, Height: 80 cm, Depth: 50 cm.
- Tags
- Focal, Bookcase, Neoclassic, Art Deco, Asymmetry, Wood, Brass, Modern, Elegant, Architecture
- Production Technology
- The body of Topkapi is crafted from high-quality lacquer and natural wood surfaces, shaped with Cnc technology. Geometric patterns on the doors are created through precision cutting and handcraftsmanship, adding depth and rich texture. The interior features a lacquer finish, with red tones enhancing the luxurious, mystical Eastern ambiance. Tapered legs have brass detailing, while the perforated top panel, made of patina-brushed copper, is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans.
- Design Challenge
- The greatest challenge of this design was to seamlessly blend traditional woodworking craftsmanship with modern production techniques. The three-dimensional sense of depth on the doors was successfully achieved through the combination of Cnc machining and handcraftsmanship. The brass details used in the leg structure, inspired by the foot designs of Ottoman palace furniture, bring together the past and the future through its design language.
- Project Duration
- The design process of the Topkapi sideboard began in June 2022 in the garden of Topkapi Palace on Istanbul's historic peninsula, marking the beginning of a creative journey. After an extensive development phase, it was completed and produced in Ankara in February 2023.
- Operation Flow
- Topkapi creates an emotional connection by taking the user on a historical and cultural journey.
The Cnc machined door surfaces provide a tactile sense of depth. The door mechanism features a soft-opening system for smooth operation. With a spacious four-door storage area, it offers a perfect balance of functionality and aesthetics. The interior shelf system is optimized for items of varying heights. A centrally located wide drawer provides ideal storage for small and valuable items. - Research
- Topkapi is the result of an in-depth research process that explores the intricate geometric patterns and woodworking traditions of Islamic architecture. The "Mukarnas" and "Zencerek" patterns, commonly used in Ottoman and Seljuk architecture, have been elaborated in the design and reinterpreted through Cnc machining technology.
- Inspiration
- The decorative style of geometric ornamentation, based on different geographies and cultures, particularly advanced with the development of geometry knowledge in Egypt and Sumer. The geometric pattern and ornamentation style reached its peak in Islamic civilizations, symbolizing the infinite nature of the universe. Named after Topkapi Palace, where these patterns were used on walls, it draws inspiration from the six-minaret Blue Mosque for the design of its six blue front legs with brass tips.
- Image Credits
- A. Murat ARIK
Erinç ULUSOY
Giray AYDOS
Colors of Topkapi Sideboard
Get Topkapi Sideboard
Grand Interview about Topkapi Sideboard
When designing the Topkapi Sideboard, I was fascinated by the intricate geometry found in Turkish-Islamic art, especially the Zencerek border motifs and the layered Mukarnas forms. My goal was to reinterpret these deeply symbolic patterns using modern methods, so they could be appreciated not only as decorative references but as part of the structure itself. Through CNC carving, we gave these motifs physical depth, while still preserving their rhythmic elegance. It was a way to bridge time, honoring centuries-old design language within a contemporary, functional form.
The six blue legs are a subtle homage to the Blue Mosque’s iconic minarets. These architectural forms have always struck me with their vertical clarity and balance. I wanted to translate that same presence into the base of the sideboard, not only for visual reference but also to lift the structure gracefully. Functionally, the legs provide solid support while visually lightening the mass of the piece. Their color was carefully chosen to echo the deep blue Iznik tiles found in Ottoman architecture, bringing a serene yet bold accent to the design.
Combining CNC carving with hand-finishing was both challenging and rewarding. The geometric patterns required high precision to look consistent across panels, so we started with digital modeling and CNC milling to define the structure. But to avoid a flat, mechanical finish, each piece was then hand-sanded and softened to bring out a more natural texture. Aligning these two processes took time, we had to recalibrate tools to avoid damaging delicate edges. In the end, this hybrid method allowed us to highlight the depth and character of each motif in a way that felt both crafted and contemporary.
Spending time in the gardens of Topkapi Palace allowed me to slow down and really absorb the layered richness of Ottoman design. I wasn’t just looking at patterns. I was experiencing how they existed in space, how they filtered light, framed views, and created rhythm within stillness. The Mukarnas details on ceilings and the delicate Zencerek borders along walls and tiles gave me a sense of visual flow that I wanted to translate into the sideboard. Rather than treating them as surface decoration, I tried to interpret these motifs as structural expressions, letting their repetition and layering guide the rhythm of the cabinet doors. It became about capturing a feeling, not replicating a style.
For me, combining brass detailing with modern lacquer finishes was about creating a dialogue between time periods. The brass adds a sense of richness and heritage, while the lacquer offers clarity and contrast. I didn’t want the piece to feel too historical or too futuristic. Instead, the idea was to let each material highlight the other’s character. The glossy lacquer surface reflects light in a way that sets off the warmth of the brass, and together they create a balanced, layered aesthetic that feels rooted yet fresh.
The choice of deep red tones for the interior was inspired by the rich textile palettes often found in Ottoman interiors, especially in private rooms and tented pavilions. It evokes warmth, mystery, and a sense of intimacy. I also wanted the interior to contrast with the cooler tones of the exterior, much like how historical architecture often surprises you with unexpected color and ornament inside. This red doesn’t dominate but quietly supports the narrative of East meeting West, and tradition blending with modernity.
The copper top panel was developed through a process of hand-brushing and patina treatment, allowing each piece to have a slightly different finish. This artisanal technique gives the copper a weathered look that tells a visual story, much like the aged metal details found in historic gates or ceremonial objects. We didn’t want a shiny surface; we wanted something that felt like it had a past. This element helps ground the sideboard and deepens the cultural connection, making it feel like more than just a storage unit, it becomes a narrative object.
We spent a lot of time making sure the interior worked just as well as the exterior looked. The artistic facade is bold and detailed, but inside, the layout is clean and highly functional. Adjustable shelves and soft-close drawer make it suitable for everything from dining ware to documents. We made sure the outer design didn’t interfere with the usability. In fact, the structural decisions for the decorative panels were coordinated with the internal divisions, so the function and form could truly support one another.
This project reinforced my belief that the future of furniture design lies in meaningful storytelling combined with modern technique. We no longer need to choose between old and new, we can merge them thoughtfully. Working on the Topkapi Sideboard taught me how powerful it can be to bring cultural references into everyday objects, as long as they are handled with care and authenticity. It also showed me how digital tools can serve craftsmanship rather than replace it, which is a lesson I carry into every new project.
Winning the Silver A' Design Award with the Topkapi Sideboard has been both an honor and a turning point. It encouraged us at QZENS to continue exploring culturally rooted design with a modern sensibility. This piece opened the door to thinking more boldly about how heritage can inform innovation, not just aesthetically, but conceptually. I see it influencing future collections by encouraging deeper research, richer materiality, and a continued focus on storytelling as the core of design.