Designing for/with Syrian Migrants: Sultanbeyli Case

Syrians who have been displaced by the forced migration re-making home in the newly settled environment is to create a link between their previous and current living environment. This study aims to develop design proposals for residential interiors by approaching Syrians’ remaking of home practices from an interior architecture/ design perspective. Following the phases of design research, design approaches and design proposals, the final result of the design activity is reached in two stages. The first stage is that the initial ideas were developed and furniture design suggestions were proposed through the user centered design, with the design for user approach. The second stage includes the participation of a Syrian extended family to the design process of their home, which is designed according to cultural clues and living habits, by following design with user approach. According to the study results, the lifestyle, needs, behavioral and cultural habits of Syrian families, their income levels and tenant status are important factors for developing furniture design proposals, which are multi-functional, affordable, modular, portable and adaptable. This study contributes to all stakeholders related to the design discipline, who intent to work with a specific cultural group for developing design ideas appropriate to culture and for acquiring user friendly living environments.