- Project: Arçelik Content Studio
- Architect: IGLO Architects
- Location: Turkey, Çayırova, Kocaeli
- Year: 2023
- Area: 1200 m2
- Photography: Courtesy of IGLO Architects
A Sustainable Transformation from Maintenance Hall to Media Hub
The Arçelik Content Studio by IGLO Architects in Çayırova, Kocaeli, is a compelling demonstration of sustainability through adaptive reuse. What was once an aging maintenance facility has been reinvented as a state-of-the-art in-house production studio for Koç Group brands, providing a flexible, creative environment for photography, videography, and content creation — all achieved with minimal environmental impact.
Concept & Design Strategy
At its core, the project embodies a “design through reuse” philosophy. Rather than demolishing the existing structure, IGLO Architects preserved and strengthened the original steel truss system, giving the old industrial shell a renewed purpose.
The architects meticulously cataloged discarded and surplus materials found across Arçelik’s campus — including steel sections, storage cages, and façade panels — and reincorporated them into the studio’s architectural and interior design. This process not only minimized waste but also served as a real-world application of circular economy principles in the construction industry.
The new spatial program responds to dual needs: it accommodates dynamic production activities and corporate office functions, all while aligning with Arçelik’s sustainability goals.
Program Organization & Spatial Flow
The 1,200 m² floor plan is organized around three large flexible plateaus designed to host simultaneous brand productions. These shooting zones are transformable and acoustically isolated, allowing various configurations for photography, film, and advertising work.
Supporting these studios are a network of essential functions:
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Easy-access warehouses for technical and décor equipment.
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Large vehicular access points to facilitate set construction and logistics.
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Technical zones housing lighting and sound infrastructure.
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Social spaces, including dining areas and lounges, for staff and visiting crews.
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Make-up rooms, dressing areas, and office pods for temporary project teams.
Every area was designed with flexibility in mind — a single continuous spatial logic that allows adaptation without extensive renovation.
Structure, Envelope & Materiality
The existing steel framework and roof trusses were reinforced and acoustically treated, extending the building’s lifespan without wasteful replacement. Walls and floors were rebuilt to meet modern acoustic and energy performance standards.
Externally, the façade was completely reimagined while maintaining its industrial honesty. Recycled materials again played a key role:
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Double-layered lattice frames conceal mechanical systems and external units.
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Setback entrances for guests, storage, and technical areas ensure protection from weather and traffic.
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The façade’s new cladding palette reflects Arçelik’s corporate identity, merging industrial character with a refined, contemporary aesthetic.
Inside, the language of exposed structure, raw metal, and textured surfaces celebrates the building’s industrial heritage while signaling a new creative purpose.
Light, Energy & Performance
Energy efficiency and sustainability guided every design decision. All lighting and sound systems were selected for low energy consumption, while insulation upgrades significantly improved thermal performance.
The combination of natural daylighting, energy-efficient fixtures, and adaptable ventilation ensures a comfortable environment for long production hours. These strategies collectively reduce the studio’s operational carbon footprint, further advancing Arçelik’s broader corporate sustainability commitments.
Corporate Impact & Design Philosophy
Beyond its architectural merit, Arçelik Content Studio has become a strategic asset for the brand. It centralizes content production, reducing outsourcing costs, and sets an internal benchmark for environmentally conscious design within corporate infrastructure.
By transforming an obsolete industrial shell into a vibrant creative facility, IGLO Architects demonstrate that innovation and sustainability are not competing values but mutually reinforcing principles. The project illustrates how recycling, adaptive reuse, and design intelligence can together achieve high-performance architecture with minimal environmental cost.
A Model for Circular Design
Arçelik Content Studio stands as a blueprint for sustainable transformation — a project where design, economy, and ecology intersect. It shows how architectural creativity can extract new life from what already exists, offering a hopeful model for future adaptive reuse projects across the commercial and industrial sectors.
