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PROJECT, PRODUCT DESIGN 07.08.2025

Empath Door

#exhibition #product design #sculpture #objects #wood

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The Empath Door, created by Ayça Yılmaz, is an interior object that explores the emotional and physical connection between humans and their companion animals. Designed for both cats and people, this threshold piece reinterprets everyday interactions — play, hiding, passing through, and tactile engagement — through a sensory and sculptural lens.

Crafted from solid American red oak, the piece highlights the natural character of the wood, offering a quiet but expressive presence. It functions as a domestic or public object — a blend of play structure, passage, and minimalist sculpture.

Empath Door was created as part of the “Legacy” project initiated by AHEC (American Hardwood Export Council) in collaboration with The Circle. Within this program, Ayça Yılmaz was selected as one of nine designers to create timeless furniture pieces emphasizing sustainability, narrative-driven design, and the use of American hardwoods.

As of Summer 2024, Empath Door is exhibited at the Cat Museum Istanbul, offering a chance to observe real-time interaction between visitors and cats in a playful, shared environment.

Tags:

EMPATH DOOR
Ayça Yılmaz
PHOTOGRAPHY
Volkan Doğar
CREDITS

Project Name: Empath Door
Designer: Ayça Yılmaz
Material: American red oak
Production: Yonga Furniture, 2024
Project Context: “Legacy” – AHEC x The Circle
Exhibition: Cat Museum Istanbul, Summer 2024

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