A design studio working at the intersection of furniture, space and material research. Sustainability sits at its core.
Studio.
Makara is an award-winning design studio founded in Istanbul in 2024, focused on sustainable interiors and furniture design.
We work across scales, from a single object to an entire room, asking what materials can become when they are given a second life. We see sustainable design not as a constraint, but as a creative opening. By collaborating with institutions, designers and communities, we aim to expand the role of circular design in contemporary culture.
Mehmet Veli Arslan
Interior Architect · MakerVeli is an interior architect and maker based in Istanbul. He graduated with high honors from the Interior Architecture Department at Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts. During his undergraduate studies, his interest in sustainable design was shaped through competitions, workshops and hands-on research.
He founded Makara Design Studio in 2024 to build a production practice centered on upcycling. After completing an internship in Offenbach am Main, he continues to pursue projects and collaborations that deepen his research practice.
Exporters' Association Grand Prize — 1st Place
16th National Furniture Design Competition · Central Anatolia Furniture Exporters
Honorable Mention
Kitchen 360° Design Competition · Intema Kitchen
In collaboration with Caner CeylanAegean Exporters' Associations Special Award
6th Degisik International Natural Stone Design Competition · Izmir Fair Services
Mades Gold Prize
14th National Furniture Design Competition · Central Anatolia Furniture Exporters
In collaboration with Sumeyye Koc3rd Prize
iskele.studio Design-focused Video Content Production · Turkey Design Council
Selected Work
First-Hand Experience Festival Interior Design Exhibition · Istanbul Planning Agency
Furniture and Object Design
Original designs that maximize the circular potential of materials, from one-off objects to furniture collections. Functional, aesthetic and upcycling-focused product development processes.
Interior and Experience Design
Interior design solutions that translate brand identity and sustainable living practices into spatial narratives. From exhibition spaces to public interiors, we create atmospheres that prioritize user experience.
Sustainability Consulting
Strategic consulting for institutions and designers, focused on circular economy modeling, material intelligence and waste management. Roadmaps that reduce the environmental impact of design processes.
Workshop and Research
Hands-on workshops, academic collaborations and material-focused research projects that broaden the culture of upcycling. Collective production experiences centered on knowledge sharing.
Upcycling-Oriented Custom Production
Project-based boutique production processes that transform waste materials into refined design objects. Prototyping and implementation services for designers and brands.