Originated in the USA due to the demand for economic housing alternatives, the concept of loft apartments has emerged worldwide as alternative living spaces converted from former warehouses and factories. The most important qualities of loft homes is high roofs and the existence of no walls separating the space into rooms. In this respect, the living space is perceived as a whole. Having been acting as a solution to the housing problems as well as the American artists’ search for workshop-houses since 1970s, lofts have attracted a considerable number of artists or economic home seekers increasing in number due to commercial and industrial changes.
Since lofts have different qualities than traditional houses, the residents of lofts need to ignore all traditional organisation rules within a house and be open to new and creative ideas. In this respect, within the framework of the “Interior Design Studio III” course of EMU Architecture Faculty, Interior Architecture Programs (both in English and Turkish medium), successful artists and designers of Northern Cyprus have been invited to use the lofts to be designed in Famagusta, Laguna Region. Located about one kilometer away from Famagusta city center, former warehouses have been selected as spaces for lofts.
Having received information about the details of loft design at a seminar by Researcher and Interior Architect Zehra Babutsalı Alpler, students of EMU Interior Architecture Department stated that they have received innovative ideas for their future designs. Course instructors Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Olgaç Türker, Assist. Prof. Dr. Asu Tozan, Senior Instructor Seyit Ermiyagil, Res. Assist. Gözde Pırlanta and Res. Assist. Sowgol Khoshroonejad stressed the importance of the factors affecting creativity and user satisfaction in the design of living spaces.