Nominator: Meltem Maralcan Gülmen

Nominator's statement

I am nominating Ayşe Yılmaz, founder of Ottan Studio, for the BIG SEE Product Design Perspective Award because her visionary approach to sustainable materials is redefining the future of design. By transforming green waste such as hazelnut shells, expired rice, and eggshells, into high-end alternatives to wood, glass, and ceramic, Ayşe merges environmental responsibility with aesthetic innovation.

Her work not only addresses the urgent issue of resource overconsumption in the construction industry but also offers scalable, locally adaptable solutions that challenge conventional material sourcing. Ayşe’s commitment to circular economy principles and her ability to turn overlooked waste into beautiful, functional surfaces make her a standout designer whose impact reaches far beyond product aesthetics.

NESPRESSO SEATING UNIT

In this project, carried out by Nespresso HQ, a coffee corner was created, entirely designed from Ottan and made of Ottan materials, for the theme of “Local Touch” to be applied in every country. 2000 hazelnut shells and 2400 eggshells are up-cycled for each unit, and materials masterfully processed and designs born with elegant craftsmanship.

These products, where the limits of production techniques have been pushed, show us the great value of natural resources and the possibilities to create wonders lay in front with a little creativity and effort.

OTTOLENGHI TEST KITCHEN

In the Test Kitchen project designed by StudioMama, one of the UK's important design studios, for the famous chef Ottolenghi, Ottan materials were preferred in kitchen design details due to their natural colors and textures. This project was also nominated and awarded by Dezeen.

PORSCHE 911 CIRCULAR MATERIALS COLLABORATION

OTTAN’s circular biomaterials, created from food and agricultural waste such as coffee pulp, eggshells, walnut shells, lentils, and even purple carrot dye, were selected by Porsche for the interiors of its 2030 automotive line. By replacing conventional plastics, veneers, and composites, our materials prove that waste can deliver durability, performance, and luxury aesthetics at the highest industry standards.

This milestone validates OTTAN’s role in the transition to circular design and highlights how sustainability can shape the future of mobility.

The project presents the theatre as the connection between two parallel worlds - one being artistic and the other - profane. The spectator entering the theatre turns into an actor going backstage only to find out that the world itself is a stage and a man is always in a spectacle.