The Architect's Chair #5 competition Honorable mention winner - Muhammet Sami̇ Yeni̇

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our The Architect's Chair #5 competition – Muhammet Sami̇ Yeni̇ from Turkey!

Muhammet Sami̇ Yeni̇

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

Simula Design Studio was founded in 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. It is a one-person practice focused on furniture design.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

As a recently established studio, I focus on furniture design and am actively building new collaborations.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

Architecture begins, for me, with the sense of aesthetic appreciation it creates in the person experiencing it. But that is only one of its tasks. The role of the architect — and of the designer — is to do many things at once: to provide function, to improve the quality of everyday life, to give something back to the society it serves, and at the same time to create a sense of beauty. Good design is what happens when all of these come together. None of them alone is enough.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I take part in competitions to share my work and vision with a wider audience.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

I think everyone should try it. Working in your own shell is a valuable process — but a competition is a good way to understand where your work really stands, and whether it genuinely connects with people.