Brown-Forman Corporation Offices – Istanbul
Jeyan Ülkü Architects designed the Brown-Forman Corporation offices in Istanbul to embody the brand’s heritage through fluid design, dynamic materials, and local craftsmanship, fostering collaboration and employee well-being.
Brown-Forman, an iconic American spirits company known for its rich heritage and bold identity, commissioned the design of its Istanbul offices as a space that would reflect the essence of the brand. Drawing inspiration from the warm amber tones of whiskey and the fluidity of liquid, the design translates brand values into form, material, and atmosphere. Completed at the end of 2024, the office blends energy and refinement through its use of dynamic lines, tactile finishes, and a carefully curated palette.
A bar area anchors the entrance—an essential feature across all Brown-Forman locations. Here, custom tiles in the company’s signature colors reinforce brand recognition while introducing a layer of local craftsmanship. Opposite the bar, a seating nook frames a panoramic view of the Levent skyline, offering a brief visual escape from the workday. Nearby, a long touchdown table provides flexible workspace for remote staff visiting the office, reinforcing a sense of openness and hospitality.
The building’s structure shaped the overall plan. Enclosed rooms were positioned around the core, allowing natural light to filter in from both façades. At the center, a shared boardroom is equally accessible from all departments, encouraging cross-team collaboration.
Workstations line the perimeter and are punctuated by multifunctional meeting islands that include storage units and integrated planting. These interventions, fixed to the columns, make use of areas that are less suited to conventional desks while softening the environment with natural elements. At either end of the floor, acoustically treated focus rooms offer privacy for calls and online meetings. These rooms feature bold colors and graphic patterns to distinguish them as short-use, high-focus spaces.
In the larger meeting rooms, timber panels clad the walls in a clean, grid-like rhythm that continues through the ceiling, creating spatial continuity. Acoustic wood finishes are used in both enclosed and open areas to enhance sound quality. Custom carpets inspired by traditional Turkish motifs add a layer of local identity within the contemporary interior.
To emphasize movement across the space, the corridor ceiling is defined by fluid, curved forms—an abstract interpretation of liquid in motion. Along this path, a more direct reference to local heritage appears in the use of timber eaves extending the length of the corridor. Inspired by traditional Turkish architectural detailing, these elements introduce a subtle but meaningful gesture of localization and cultural resonance.
Throughout the space, the focus remains on user comfort and cohesion. Every element—whether material, layout, or detail—was designed to support employee well-being while expressing the brand’s confident, contemporary character.
Design: Jeyan Ülkü Architects
Photography: ibrahim Özbunar | 645Studio
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