“A space needs a soul”

Design of Aslı Arıkan Dayıoğlu

Turkish interior architect Aslı Arıkan Dayıoğlu believes that design is not merely about aesthetics or function – it is about emotion, memory and meaning. In this interview, she explains why every space must have a soul and why the future of interior design lies in emotional intelligence.

How would you describe your design language, and what has influenced it?

At the Rhode Island School of Design, we studied interior design, art history, and material studies. Design, to me, is never isolated. It is always part of a larger artistic and cultural narrative. My goal is to create emotional depth through interior design. A space needs a soul—otherwise, it remains interchangeable. When you embed it with narrative, it becomes tangible and singular. I focus on the people who will inhabit the space and think about what emotions they should experience. From there, I construct the experience like a story – layer by layer – so the atmosphere unfolds emotionally rather than simply appearing decorative.

How can a space be given a soul?

By creating an exciting rhythm with highs and lows. Every project needs tension and release. We orchestrate this through materiality, light, proportion and texture. One surface might be deeply tactile and expressive, while another remains calm and minimal. Interior design thrives on contrast, yet it demands balance. 
 

Many of your projects are for international hotel brands with clear design guidelines. How do you ensure that a brand is recognisable yet unique?

I don't see brand guidelines as a restriction, but they provide a framework within which creativity can evolve. I want to create something new and make every project unique. Within that structure, we develop bespoke textures, custom-designed furniture, carpets, wallpapers, and layered surfaces specific to each project. Handcrafted, locally rooted elements allow a space to anchor itself culturally without compromising brand identity.

In the bathroom, function and technology are paramount. How can you maintain the design rhythm in these rooms?

By integrating objects with history. When renovating the InterContinental Hotel in Istanbul, for example, we left the handmade old wood doors in place. Their presence introduced continuity and memory. In combination with three-dimensional surfaces, tactile materials such as travertine, porcelain, and carefully coordinated colours, the bathroom became part of the narrative. I like to combine products from Geberit: they are reliable, durable and simple in design. The technology remains in the background. This allows a room to unfold its full effect.

How will interior design continue to evolve? 

The spaces of the future must be emotionally intelligent. Design should enhance human well-being through light, acoustics, materiality, and color psychology. We will need to research and understand people more deeply – so that environments can respond to our moods. The future of interior design is empathetic. It will listen.
 

Header image: ©InterContinental Hotel Istanbul