We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Hilal Ustun Caner about their original and creative Stay and Savor design work. Hilal Ustun Caner is an award-winning service designer, that makes our world a better place with their original stay and savor works.
Hilal Ustun Caner ("HUC") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Belmondo Suites Stay and Savor. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
HUC : The design was driven by a desire to reveal the soul of a historic building without overwhelming it. I was inspired by the layers of time, the silence of aged textures, and the timeless elegance hidden beneath decay. The main principle was balance—between preservation and renewal, between memory and function.
HUC : My focus was to honor the spirit of the original structure while introducing subtle layers of modern elegance. I wanted guests to feel like they are stepping into a space where time slows down and memory is respected—not recreated, but gently revealed.
HUC : Since I’m not the owner of the property, I cannot directly shape its future. However, I truly hope that Belmondo Suites continues to offer unique and lasting experiences to its guests for many years. More importantly, I see it as a source of inspiration for future boutique hospitality projects—where design honors history, evokes emotion, and creates a deep sense of place.
HUC : The design process, including research, concept development, and detailing, took approximately 6 months. However, the soul of the project was shaped by years of experience working with historical sites.
HUC : The project was originally commissioned as a restoration of a historical building for boutique hospitality use. However, the concept grew out of a deeper inspiration—the emotional and spatial memory of the place. While the client provided the function, the soul of the design came from listening to the building itself. It was a collaboration between a clear brief and a personal interpretation of heritage, silence, and spatial storytelling.
HUC : The project is already realized and operated by the client. It is a functioning boutique hotel, and all design rights and implementations have been retained by the client with our studio as the design author.
HUC : Designing 30 different room and bathroom concepts, along with two restaurants, a patisserie, and a wine shop—each with its own distinct identity—was a serious creative challenge. I was driven by the urge to create something truly special at this scale, where every space would feel unique, intentional, and emotionally resonant.
HUC : Rather than being influenced by a specific designer or project, I would say this design is the distilled reflection of my 18 years of experience—finally finding its way onto paper and into space.
HUC : Belmondo Suites is designed for travelers who seek more than accommodation—they seek meaning, atmosphere, and a sense of place. It appeals to design-conscious guests who value authenticity and calm luxury.
HUC : It doesn’t imitate history—it converses with it. Belmondo Suites stands apart by its quiet confidence, its textural sensitivity, and its refusal to overstate. It’s not themed—it’s timeless.
HUC : “Belmondo” means “beautiful world” in Italian. It reflects our desire to create a microcosm of beauty, memory, and light inside the layered fabric of an ancient city.
HUC : We used a range of tools across different phases. AutoCAD was essential for technical drawings, while SketchUp and Lumion helped us explore spatial atmosphere and scale. Adobe Photoshop and InDesign supported visual presentation and storytelling.
HUC : Instead of creating uniform room types, I designed each space with its own identity—responding to its light, structure, and mood. This approach turned the entire building into a layered experience, where each room tells its own story. It’s not a hotel with repeating rooms, but a collection of unique spatial moments.
HUC : Yes—this project was a collective effort shaped by many skilled hands. I collaborated closely with a restoration architect to ensure historical integrity, and worked with electromechanical consultants for the seamless integration of modern systems. One of the most meaningful aspects was working with master craftspeople—particularly local woodworkers and stone masons. Their craftsmanship added authenticity and depth to the project. Each collaborator contributed a unique layer to the final design.
HUC : In a heritage project like Belmondo Suites, technology must be present but never intrusive. We integrated lighting, climate control, and infrastructure systems in a way that supports comfort without disturbing the authenticity of the space. The goal was to let the architecture speak, while technology quietly served it in the background
HUC : While the design wasn’t driven by data in a technical sense, it was deeply shaped by observation and contextual research. I studied the historical texture of the old town, traced the spatial rhythms of traditional Ottoman homes, and spent time in the building to understand its light, flow, and silence. This kind of intuitive, place-based research was essential in shaping a design that feels rooted and respectful.
HUC : There were multiple layers of challenge throughout the project. Structurally, we faced surprises—unexpected materials hidden under walls, floors, and ceilings that differed from the original plans. Being located in the old town meant strict time constraints and significant logistical issues, especially in terms of material delivery and installation. On top of that, designing 30 uniquely characterized rooms within a limited plan was both a technical and creative challenge. Still, it was one of the most fulfilling design journeys I’ve ever experienced.
HUC : After completing Belmondo Suites, I felt it was more than just a project—it was a narrative, a transformation, and a personal milestone. I wanted to see how this work, rooted in context and emotion, would be received on an international platform. It wasn’t about the award itself, but about seeing if a design built on subtlety, history, and atmosphere could resonate beyond borders.
HUC : This project taught me patience, humility, and the value of truly listening to a space. I learned to step back and let the building lead, rather than imposing a design too early. It also deepened my ability to work across disciplines—balancing architecture, interior design, restoration, and storytelling. Above all, I realized how powerful it is to create not just spaces, but emotions.
HUC : Only this: Belmondo Suites is not just a building—it’s an atmosphere. A quiet invitation to slow down, to reconnect with time, texture, and silence. And if that feeling stays with its guests, then the design has fulfilled its purpose.
