Designing Spaces
Re-designing Experiences
Born as an interior design practice in 1991, GEOMIM is an Istanbul-based cosmopolitan design studio producing visionary projects on all scales, ranging from architecture and urban design to interiors and installations in the physical & digital worlds.
Three decades of extensive creative production in the leisure industry underpin the DNA of the studio’s visionary design approach resulting in Turkey’s most prominent hospitality projects. Yet the partners' portfolios include many internationally renowned projects in various typologies, including culture, mixed-use developments, offices, sports facilities, and transport structures. The studio's strength lies in the knowledge inherited through numerous projects designed and built prior to re-establishing GEOMIM.
Crafting spaces that respond to the tradition, climate, and contemporary culture of its place, GEOMIM designs unique and immersive experiences for each and every project. Regardless of typologies, the dynamic studio structure with high design capability enables quick switching between small and large-scale projects while targeting to build structures of ingenuity that beautifully reflect and respect the natural surroundings in form and construction.
The practice’s parent company GEO is a multidisciplinary group offering consulting, branding, interior, and product design services, and GEO_MIM and GEO_ID together provide a comprehensive service encompassing architectural and interior design.
ALİ ÇALIŞKAN
FOUNDING PARTNER &
HEAD OF DESIGN
Born in Antalya in 1983, Ali Çalışkan undertook a degree in Architecture at Bursa Uludağ University. From the beginning of his career, he has been an award-winning architect -recipient of the Archiprix Turkey Prize in 2004. He has numerous awards in the National competitions, four of which he came first.
Before forming his practice, Ali joined Tabanlioglu Architects in 2004 immediately after graduation. For more than 17 years during his career at Tabanlıoğlu, Ali became one of the critical members of the design development team. He contributed to many projects on a vast spectrum ranging from stadiums to cultural centers, masterplans to single houses, high-rise projects, and even cruise ship designs. Recent projects include Ataturk Cultural Center Istanbul, Rixos Premium Hotel Dubai JBR, Dakar Stadium, Selcuk Ecza Headquarters Istanbul, congress halls in Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, and Libya, Vakifbank Office Tower Istanbul, and IGA VIP Terminal. Ali was part of the design team for Tabanlıoğlu’s expositions too. "Warm/Wet" and "Beloved" installations at London Design Festival in 2015 and 2016; “Tru” installation in Istanbul Modern in 2016, and “HousEmotion" exhibited in Milan Fuorisalone Interni Exhibition, London Design Biennale, and Dubai Design Week in 2018 can be listed as examples.
At GEOMIM, Ali continues to develop projects of various scales and typologies. His work aims to re-create meaningful connections, the forgotten relationship of humans with themselves and nature regardless of the scale of the projects. Through architecture, where the cultural background is emphasized, he focuses on implementing sustainable solutions while maintaining the essence of local spirit and traditions.