A dormant dome in the heart of Istanbul has been reimagined as a contemporary cafe. Designed by international design and creative studio Mitte, Local People transforms an underused structure in Başakşehir, one of the city’s densely developed residential districts, into a community gathering place. As its name suggests, the project embodies a local spirit, bringing a community-centered identity to its surroundings.
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
The 23,680-square-foot space revolves around the existing structure’s circular geometry and open floor plan. At the center sits a vertical willow tree installation that symbolizes gathering and belonging. Forming a central “nest” indoors, the willow branches extend outside, providing natural shade and creating a seamless connection between the interior and surrounding landscape.
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
From this symbolic core, the layout radiates outward in concentric layers—connecting the main ground floor with a circular outdoor terrace and a mezzanine level above.
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
Local People’s architectural strength lies in the building’s domed, circular configuration. While this geometry presented significant spatial challenges, it ultimately became one of the project’s defining design opportunities, shaping both the cafe’s character and the way visitors move through it.
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
“Every decision within the space, from circulation flow to seating arrangement, had to be thought through in concert with the rhythm of the circular plan,” the Mitte team says. “As a result, the most critical phase of the design process was reading the geometry of the building and translating it into a functional and balanced spatial organization.”
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
Connecting the building’s past and present, the preserved glazed dome is a prominent element in the architectural dialogue that defines Local People. Developed in collaboration with artist Pınar Çetin, custom-designed textile sun-shading panels beneath the dome filter natural light, softening the atmosphere and adding a layered, sculptural quality to the ceiling. At the entrance, an amorphous, color-gradient artwork transforms a structural column into a sculptural focal point.
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
With natural light and shadow shaping Local People’s color palette, the cafe draws inspiration from the surrounding valley. Complementing the verdant landscape, the palette balances rich coffee-colored gradients with light earth tones and stark white surfaces.
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
For the Mitte team, the gradient tones evoke the way coffee’s aroma gradually diffuses through the air. “The coffee tones were chosen not merely to create an inviting atmosphere, but to translate its sensory qualities—the rich aroma and the way it diffuses through the air—into a visual language,” they say.
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
Lending the cafe a contemporary and subtly industrial quality, metal-clad columns by Metal Reklam surround the central core, while breeze blocks by Karo Istanbul line the facade, filtering daylight. To reinforce the project’s connection to its surroundings, Mitte sourced most of its materials from local suppliers, allowing for more customized production and an emphasis on regional craftsmanship.
Photography by Ibrahim Özbunar
“The material palette softens the boundaries between inside and outside, completing Local People’s nature-connected, comfortable, and refined atmosphere,” the Mitte team says. Envisioned as a place to gather, work, or unwind after a long day, Local People offers what the designers describe as a “sophisticated escape within an everyday residential setting.” The result is a contemporary social hub that connects the neighborhood with the green valley at its center.