Rams Beyond Etro Sales Office

Rams Beyond Etro Sales Office

Rams Beyond Etro Sales Office is an award-winning interior space and exhibition design project that exemplifies the convergence of architectural precision and artistic curation within a commercial showroom environment, conceived by Arkiteam Architecture and completed in Istanbul, Turkey, between April and June 2024. This 1650 square meter sales office transcends conventional retail design paradigms by functioning simultaneously as an art gallery and a functional presentation space, employing a minimalist aesthetic vocabulary characterized by all-white surfaces, fluid curvilinear forms, and a sophisticated interplay of light and shadow to create an immersive spatial experience that reflects the essence of the Rams Beyond Etro Residence development it represents. The design strategy addresses the fundamental challenge of reconciling two seemingly contradictory programmatic requirements: the creation of an open, gallery-like atmosphere that showcases curated artworks and an architectural model as sculptural objects, while simultaneously providing private presentation rooms for client consultations, achieved through the strategic deployment of curved gypsum board partitions that define spaces without compromising visual flow. The architectural envelope features a spider glass facade system that establishes a transparent threshold between the interior exhibition space and the urban context, transforming the showroom into a dynamic urban showcase visible from multiple approach vectors, a design decision informed by traffic analysis research conducted to maximize exposure and visibility. The interior material palette demonstrates restraint and precision, with white natural stone flooring selected specifically to enhance the visibility of shadows cast by the sculptural forms, thereby amplifying the spatial drama created by the curvilinear elements, while custom metallic gloss ceiling panels introduce a reflective surface that multiplies natural light and creates an ethereal quality that elevates the perceived volume of the space. The circulation strategy guides visitors through a carefully choreographed sequence of spatial experiences, beginning at the reception area and progressing through key zones that highlight the building model and curated art pieces, with the open plan design fostering engagement while maintaining clear sightlines and intuitive wayfinding. The design research phase encompassed extensive testing of color and lighting configurations to optimize art visibility and ambient atmosphere, ensuring that the showroom functions effectively as both a commercial space and an exhibition venue. The technical execution required exceptional craftsmanship, particularly in the fabrication and installation of seamless gypsum board curves that define the spatial boundaries and create the flowing forms that characterize the project, with the precision of these elements reflecting high-quality workmanship standards and attention to detail. The metallic ceiling system represents a custom fabrication solution that adds a unique aesthetic dimension while serving the functional purpose of light reflection and spatial enhancement. The design philosophy underlying Rams Beyond Etro Sales Office draws inspiration from the architectural character of the residential development it promotes, translating the project's sophistication and design values into a spatial experience that allows potential clients to viscerally understand the quality and aesthetic sensibility of the larger development. The spider glass facade not only provides transparency and urban connectivity but also creates a dynamic relationship between interior and exterior, with the all-white interior serving as a luminous backdrop that enhances visibility from the street while the curated artworks and architectural model become focal points that draw pedestrian attention. The curved forms that define the spatial organization are not merely aesthetic gestures but functional elements that sculpt light and shadow, creating zones of varying intimacy and openness that support different activities within the showroom, from casual browsing to formal presentations. The design demonstrates sophisticated understanding of retail psychology and spatial experience, recognizing that the sales office must communicate brand values and project quality through environmental design rather than explicit marketing messaging. The achievement of the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category in 2025 recognizes the project's successful integration of creativity, practicality, and innovative material application, acknowledging the design team's ability to blend form and function effectively while creating a space that enhances visitor experience and serves its commercial purpose. The award designation validates the design's professional execution, thoughtful development, and potential to influence industry standards for retail and exhibition spaces, particularly in the real estate sector where sales offices traditionally function as purely transactional environments rather than experiential destinations. The collaboration between designers Enes Cicekci and Seda Dundar resulted in a cohesive vision that balances aesthetic ambition with functional requirements, demonstrating the value of integrated design thinking in commercial interior projects. The project's relatively brief construction timeline of two months reflects efficient project management and coordination between design and execution teams, while the successful realization of complex curved forms and custom fabricated elements within this timeframe speaks to the technical competence of the construction team and the clarity of the design documentation. The Rams Beyond Etro Sales Office represents a significant contribution to contemporary retail design discourse, challenging conventional approaches to sales environments by prioritizing experiential quality and aesthetic refinement, thereby elevating the status of the sales office from a purely functional space to a designed environment that communicates brand values and creates memorable visitor experiences. The design's emphasis on materiality, light, and spatial flow demonstrates sophisticated understanding of phenomenological aspects of architecture, recognizing that the physical experience of space influences perception and emotional response, which in turn affects commercial outcomes. The integration of art within the commercial environment reflects broader trends in retail design toward cultural programming and experiential marketing, positioning the sales office as a destination rather than merely a transactional space. The project serves the client Rams Global, a diversified investment company with strategic interests across eight sectors, primarily construction and real estate, whose commitment to excellence and innovation is reflected in the quality and ambition of the sales office design. The design's success in balancing multiple programmatic requirements while maintaining aesthetic coherence and spatial clarity establishes it as a reference project for future sales office and showroom designs, particularly in contexts where the physical environment must communicate complex brand narratives and project values to sophisticated clientele.

Interior Space Design, Exhibition Design, Retail Architecture, Minimalist Interiors, Curvilinear Forms, Sales Office Design

— Adam Dawson