Design Collection

Craft & Community

Every item in the collection is produced by local and Syrian refugee women working in felt, wood, weaving, and ceramic ateliers at ADEM — the Family Support Centre within the Governorship of Harran. The project fosters economic independence and social participation through design.

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The Atlas Harran collection draws its deepest inspiration from the ancient city of Harran, a crossroads of civilization where Mesopotamian knowledge flourished for millennia. Each piece carries forward the wisdom of celestial observation, traditional craft, and symbolic storytelling that defined the region's cultural legacy. By working directly with local artisans and women-led ateliers in Harran, the collection preserves techniques passed down through generations while reinterpreting them through a contemporary design lens. This approach ensures that ancient aesthetics—rooted in astrolatry, the observation of celestial bodies, and the spiritual practices of the Harranian people—remain vital and relevant in modern living spaces.

The warm and earthy palette of the collection mirrors the landscape of the Harran plains, where layers of civilization have settled over thousands of years. Muted terracotta, olive, sand, and deep espresso tones evoke the sun-baked architecture and fertile soil of the region, while occasional deep navy and gold accents reference the night skies once studied by Harranian astronomers. This thoughtful use of color connects each object to its geographical and historical origins, creating pieces that feel both grounded and timeless. The result is a visual language that speaks to the enduring relationship between people, place, and the materials they shape.

Wood, ceramics, felt, and textiles form the material foundation of the Atlas Harran collection, each medium chosen for its deep roots in local craft traditions. The wooden pieces, such as sculptural cutting boards and serving platters, reference the clean geometries found in Mesopotamian design while honoring the ritual of shared meals. Ceramic works translate traditional forms like the Mırra coffee cup into contemporary silhouettes, preserving the social customs that surround coffee preparation and hospitality. Textile pieces, including rugs and wall hangings, draw on astral symbols and architectural motifs from Harran's layered history, weaving together stories of the civilizations that once thrived there.

At the heart of the collection lies a commitment to sustainable design economy and social impact, guided by the curatorial vision of Dilek Öztürk and Bilgen Coşkun. By centering the work of women artisans in Harran's workshops, Atlas Harran fosters economic empowerment while safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Each object is produced in small batches, emphasizing quality over quantity and encouraging a slower, more mindful approach to consumption. This model challenges fast-moving design trends, proposing instead that objects carrying cultural memory and ethical provenance can enrich our daily lives—translating ancient Mesopotamian knowledge into meaningful, lasting pieces for contemporary homes.