The contemporary structure took both the essence of the coffee house and bold plant-based designs of the Ottoman Empire and created a distinctive addition to the garden that was part seat part art display. The sociability inherent in meeting with friends to sip coffee in the coffee houses of the 16th century was the starting point for designing the enclosed space which acts as a large circular seat.

Plant-based patterns can be seen throughout the V&A’s collection of Turkish art, and were used to create the 3d pattern that forms the coffee house. The structure was created from machine-cut plywood which is easily slotted together. This structure was wrapped in ribbon; a reference to Turkish headdresses, from which hung personal interpretations of the Nazar Boncuk (evil eye) tradition created by children from the Turkish Education Group in Newington Green, London.

The children involved in the project ranged in age from seven to fifteen, and because of their Turkish backgrounds already had a relationship with the evil eye tradition. We encouraged them to investigate their own interpretations of what offers them protection or luck and through workshops developed three-dimensional charms. These prototypes were then laser-cut from plastic and became a collection of charms that adorned the coffee house.

Victoria & Albert Museum
2006
V&A