A Competition That Discovers Young Talents

The global meeting point of the natural stone industry, Marble İzmir – International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair, also celebrated young talents through the 7th International Different Natural Stone Design Competition. Held under the slogan “It’s different, and it turned out beautifully,” the competition awarded prizes totaling 600,000 TL to winners from around the world.

Organized for the 30th time by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ, the fair hosted the competition aimed at integrating young designers into the industry. The event became a platform of excitement, pride, joy, and courage for young creatives. This year’s theme was “furniture,” and it drew 892 applications from aspiring designers in both Turkey and abroad.

A distinguished jury—comprising academics, designers, and industry representatives—selected 25 designs to be produced using marble by the competition’s sponsor firms. These pieces were then exhibited at the 30th Marble İzmir Fair. In addition to the top three awards, special recognitions included: the Aegean Mine Exporters’ Association International Fair Participation Award, two Travel Prizes, a University Special Award, and Corporate Special Prizes.

Cumalıoğlu: Applications from 12 Countries and 70 Universities

İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu emphasized the competition's national significance, stating:

“The Different Natural Stone Design Competition is the only international design competition in Turkey. This year, nearly 900 applications came from 12 countries and 70 universities. The participants were students of interior architecture, industrial design, or architecture. It’s a valuable opportunity for them to see their concepts realized as finished products. It allows them to bring their dreams to life. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, İZFAŞ, and the industry’s commitment to young talent is deeply meaningful. The sponsor firms help realize these designs, transforming their own stones into functional furniture or fixtures. This gives companies a broader perspective on how their stones can be used across different sectors. The competition demonstrates that stone is a living material that touches every part of our lives.”

Turning Dreams into Reality

Young winners from Turkey and abroad shared the excitement and pride of achieving success in a competition that opened doors to their dreams:

First Prize (150,000 TL):
Nisa Nur Gülmez and Zeynep Bakırcı, students of Industrial Design at Selçuk University, won with their project FIDES.

“We were thrilled to see our design produced and honored as the winner. We’ll use the prize for our education. FIDES is inspired by the historic Kaymaklı region in Nevşehir. We transformed its organic structure into a modern, modular, and durable marble furniture piece. It can be used as a seating unit or shelf—stacked or arranged side-by-side.”
Second Prize (100,000 TL):
Sıla Çelik, a senior student at Gazi University’s Industrial Design Department, received the award for her project Tempora, a three-piece side table set inspired by time intervals (quarter, half, and full hours).

“Seeing my design in natural stone increased my interest in the material. This competition is a major reference for my career. I feel much more confident.”
Third Prize (50,000 TL):
Polish students Karolina Kubala and Maria Jaworska designed PD, a nightstand made from layered natural stones.

“We’re honored to have received an award in such a respected international competition. Our design plays with contrast and harmony using different stone types. Marble İzmir and this competition are highly respected globally. We're very happy to be part of it and plan to participate every year.”

17 Firms Sponsored and Transformed Designs into Furniture

During the design-firm matchmaking phase at Fuar İzmir, young talents presented their projects directly to leading industry manufacturers. The selected 25 designs were brought to life by the following sponsor companies:

Alimoğlu Afyon, Alimoğlu İzmir Marble & Granite, Başaranlar, Ebla Stone, Ege Anti Marble, Çizgi Marble, Golder, Goldmer, Gürmas Gürel, İz Granite, Kar Maden, Laodikya, Marble Shop, Mercan Design, Megamer, Naçev, and Sirmersan.

These companies produced the designs in marble, making them ready for exhibition at the Marble İzmir Fair.