The Common Ground of Design
In the world of design, the concept of collaboration now means far more than two names or major brands coming together to create a project. Today, the value of such an encounter lies in how different design cultures can transform one another and what they can bring to each other. One such meeting took place between Şebnem Buhara and CASA
International.
When a designer brings their own aesthetic codes into another brand’s world, reads its production heritage and develops a new visual language through that exchange, the result becomes more than a collaboration. It becomes a design narrative of its own. This encounter took shape in CASA International’s 2026 Confluences collection.
Buhara’s design language, rooted in materiality, craftsmanship and sculptural form, meets CASA International’s approach to collection design in a four-piece series comprising Mora, Seon, Sera Duo and Soglia.
The material identity of the collection is defined primarily by handcrafted fusion glass and metal. The translucent and ever-changing character of glass meets brass, aged copper finishes, forging and traditional metalworking techniques. Here, craftsmanship is not merely a method of production, but a visible and integral part of the design itself.
Mora pairs a smoked-toned handcrafted fusion glass top with a slender body in aged copper brass. Designed to function as a standalone side table or as part of a composition
In Seon, craftsmanship becomes even more pronounced. A cut-flower pattern on handcrafted fusion glass meets brass legs shaped using a traditional pulled-wire technique and finished in aged copper. The delicacy of glass and the strength of metal come together within a single, balanced form. of multiple pieces, it establishes one of the collection’s most understated geometries.
The most direct connection to BOU Atelier’s design heritage is found in Sera Duo. Inspired by BOU Atelier’s iconic 1920 side table, the design brings together two glass tops in different diameters on a single forged structure. Here, asymmetry is not simply a formal
Soglia introduces a more architectural geometry to the collection. The combination of handcrafted cast fusion glass and a brass structure with forged details balances the precision of its rectangular form with the warmth of aged copper. References drawn from primitive cultures, inherited craft traditions and nature shape the piece’s artisanal character.
The four designs by Şebnem Buhara represent the intersection of a philosophy rooted in revealing the inherent character of materials, making craftsmanship an integral part of form, and treating functional furniture as a powerful design object. The design heritage developed through BOU Atelier thus evolves into a new collection language for CASA International.
CASA International’s 2026 edition, Confluences, is a curated collection that brings together different creative approaches rather than following a single design language. Bringing together internationally recognised designers including Mauro Lipparini, Christophe Pillet, Dainelli Studio, Matteo Nunziati, Stefano Grassi and Şebnem Buhara, CASA International’s Confluences collection finds its identity through diversity.
From minimalism to more architectural forms, from structural explorations to craft- and material-driven approaches, the pieces become part of the same whole without attempting to resemble one another. Within this multifaceted dialogue, Şebnem Buhara contributes four designs that place craftsmanship, artisanal details and the inherent character of materials at the forefront.
The collection’s first major presentation took place during Milan Design Week 2026. Hosted at CASA International’s showroom on Via Larga, the special launch brought the Confluences collection together with the international design community. The evening welcomed designers and guests from different countries, alongside members of the Turkish press and design professionals, becoming the centrepiece of the collection’s Milan presentation.
The Milan programme extended beyond the showroom launch. Another special gathering held in honour of Buhara during Design Week brought designers, industry professionals
In Milan, Confluences therefore became more than a collection presenting new designs. It brought to life the very idea behind its name: different design languages, cultures and creative communities converging at a shared point. The collaboration between Şebnem Buhara × CASA International became one of the distinctive voices from Türkiye to join this dialogue at Milan Design Week. and creative communities together in a more intimate setting around the collection.
COLLABORATIONS
A curated archive of creative partnerships, limited editions and shared design stories.
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