Interview with Hilal Ustun Caner

Hilal Ustun Caner ("HUC") interviewed on Tuesday, 3 June.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

HUC : I’ve been practicing design professionally for over 15 years. My academic background is in architecture and landscape architecture, and I’ve worked across various scales—from Turkey’s first theme park to intimate boutique hotels. I founded Hücre Mimarlık to create spaces that are not only functional but emotionally resonant. My clients range from private villa owners to boutique hoteliers and restaurateurs who value context, atmosphere, and storytelling.

How did you become a designer?

HUC : Even as a child, I was aware of how colors, textures, scents, and spaces affect our emotions. This early sensitivity slowly evolved into a desire to research, question, and create. That curiosity led me to study architecture and landscape architecture, which became the foundation of my professional path. Right after graduation, working on Turkey’s first theme park was a turning point. It was the first time I witnessed how imagination could turn into reality. Since then, my design journey has been shaped by curiosity, storytelling, and a passion for creating spaces that connect deeply with people.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

HUC : For me, design begins with listening—first to the site, then to the story behind it. I prioritize atmosphere, flow, and emotion. I sketch a lot during the early phases, letting instinct guide the concept. Then I build layers with material, light, and rhythm. Every detail matters, but only if it serves the whole. I believe in designing spaces that feel lived-in, calm, and timeless—not overly styled, but deeply thoughtful.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

HUC : Designing awakens a special kind of excitement in me—quiet but intense. Each project feels like the beginning of a new story. I feel curious, focused, and deeply connected. There’s also a sense of responsibility: to honor the place, to stay true to the essence, and to create something meaningful for those who will experience it.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

HUC : Growing up with a strong sensitivity to spaces, colors, textures, and even scents shaped how I perceive the world. My architectural education gave me structure, but my curiosity and emotional awareness gave me depth. Having worked across a wide range of scales and concepts—from theme parks to boutique hotels—allowed me to develop a versatile design language that adapts without losing its soul.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

HUC : “Design less to impress, more to connect.” I believe good design doesn’t need to shout—it should quietly touch people, make them pause, and feel something genuine. For me, that’s enough.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

HUC : Don’t rush. Let your design language mature with time and experience. Listen more than you speak, observe more than you produce. Never be afraid to ask questions or to challenge your own assumptions. And most importantly—stay curious, stay kind, and never stop learning.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

HUC : I’m not here to give advice, but I believe being curious, open-minded, and always questioning has shaped my path. Every project is a new excitement—a space for learning and transformation.

What is your day to day look like?

HUC : My mornings begin with calm—coffee and silence, sometimes accompanied by a podcast. Then the day moves between site visits, client meetings, and focused studio work. I always try to leave time for observation and reflection, no matter how busy the day gets. Evenings are usually quieter, spent with family or a book.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

HUC : I follow design trends with curiosity but not as a guide. I believe timeless design has more value than what’s popular at the moment. Trends can offer inspiration, but they shouldn’t shape the essence of a space. I always prioritize context, atmosphere, and human connection over trend-driven aesthetics.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

HUC : A good design is one that feels effortless yet thoughtful. It doesn’t seek attention but earns it through balance, purpose, and clarity. For me, it’s about how it makes you feel—does it invite you in, does it make sense without needing to explain itself? That quiet confidence is the mark of good design.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

HUC : There’s rarely a dramatic “now it’s done” moment. It’s more like a quiet knowing. When the space starts speaking its own language—when nothing feels missing or forced—that’s when I know it’s ready. Sometimes, stopping at the right moment is the most difficult part. But intuition guides me.

What is your biggest design work?

HUC : Belmondo Suites, located in Antalya’s historic old town, is one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever created. It was not only about transforming a space, but about carefully revealing layers of history, memory, and emotion. Designing for such a sensitive urban context challenged me to balance respect with innovation. It’s a project where every detail was guided by the spirit of the place.

Who is your favourite designer?

HUC : I’ve always been inspired by designers who work with silence—those who don’t just build structures, but craft atmospheres. Tadao Ando’s ability to shape light and emptiness, Peter Zumthor’s sensitivity to material and memory, and Carlo Scarpa’s poetic layering of detail—all of them remind me that architecture is not about impressing, but about evoking. I’m drawn to those who design with restraint, who know that what’s left unsaid can be just as powerful as what’s shown.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

HUC : I live and work in Antalya, a city where nature, history, and everyday life coexist. My lifestyle is slow, intentional, and close to the senses. I believe design isn’t something separate from life—it grows out of it. My culture has taught me the value of layering, rhythm, and emotion in space. These elements shape how I design, and how I live.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

HUC : I design with emotion, but I don’t let emotion overwhelm the space. I listen deeply—to people, to places, to what’s unspoken. My strength lies in creating calm, layered spaces that feel intuitive and personal. I don’t chase trends. I follow stories, senses, and silence.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

HUC : I believe in sharing knowledge as one of the most meaningful forms of contribution. I mentor young designers and speak at local design gatherings to make creative thinking more accessible.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

HUC : Attending the A’ Design Award was a meaningful milestone for me. It gave international visibility to a project that was deeply rooted in history, context, and emotion.

Hilal Ustun Caner Profile