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The ‘Gün’ is a type of gathering that has been part of Turkish culture for a very long time. Relatives, neighbors, and friends get together once a month to eat, drink tea, and chat. In addition to socializing, the Gün also serves as a bank. Each month, guests bring an initial amount of money or gold to the host, and the day ends when everyone has received their money back, that is, once everyone has become a host.

For our project, we are seeking to design a “Gün Serving Unit” that accommodates the unique needs of these gatherings. The unit should be designed to comfortably hold large quantities of food, platters, tea sets, and other essentials used in a traditional Gün. It should also be easy for the host to manage while showcasing the dishes in a way that enhances the cultural experience. The Gün Serving Unit should not only serve as a functional tool for organizing Turkish gatherings but also act as a symbol of the cultural value placed on hospitality, food, and community bonding.

Aim: To create a culturally relevant and functional Gün Serving Unit that meets the needs of these gatherings. This unit should celebrate Turkish traditions while providing a practical solution for hosts who need a dedicated space to display their dishes, tea services, and other dining essentials.

Objective: To design a compact, space-efficient unit that is easy for elderly hosts to manage. It must hold and display large quantities of traditional Turkish dishes, with features that make serving and access to dishes easy.

Intended Users: Turkish households that frequently host Gün gatherings, with a special focus on women aged 50+, who are mostly grandparents.

Target Market:

• Elderly women (50+): These are the primary hosts, often grandmothers, who maintain the tradition and regularly host family, friends, and neighbors. They need a functional, easy-to-manage serving unit that enhances their role as the center of these gatherings.
• Elderly living with their families: In multi-generational households, elderly hosts may take pride in organizing Gün gatherings. A thoughtfully designed unit can help them manage hosting duties more easily, enhancing their sense of contribution and social connection.
• Elderly couples: Couples who host Gün gatherings as a shared activity can benefit from a serving unit that simplifies the process, making it easier to handle large quantities of food and drinks while spending time with their guests.
• Elderly individuals seeking social interaction: For elderly people who may live alone or have limited opportunities for socializing, Gün gatherings serve as a crucial way to connect with others. A serving unit designed with ease of use in mind can make hosting more inviting and accessible for them.

Problem Definition:

We are seeking the design of a versatile Gün serving unit that addresses the challenges faced by hosts during these traditional gatherings. The unit should streamline the essential tasks of preparing, serving, and organizing food, as well as accommodating guests comfortably and assisting with the post-event cleanup. From managing limited space to efficiently handling leftovers, the serving unit should offer practical solutions to enhance the hosting experience.

Requirements:

The unit must be easy to transport, store, and seamlessly fit into the layout and aesthetic of a traditional Turkish household. It should resonate with the cultural preferences and values of Turkish homes. Additionally, given the tradition of guests helping the host with clean-up after the event, the design could thoughtfully incorporate elements that facilitate this shared experience.

Project Scope: The design should focus on the following points:

• Can comfortably hold large-sized serving platters, tea trays, and traditional Turkish food items such as pilaf, baklava, and various traditional Turkish dishes.
• Incorporates modular features to maximize space efficiency, allowing for flexibility in use.
• Can emphasize Turkish design motifs and aesthetics, such as Ottoman influences, geometric patterns, or Iznik tile-inspired details. It would give such a nice touch to the appearance!
• Is ergonomically designed for ease of use, with considerations for accessibility for people of varying heights and physical abilities.
• Allows for easy cleanup and storage.
• Maybe integrate subtle nods to the financial aspect of the Gün, such as a discreet compartment for collecting money or gold contributions, potentially becoming a part of the practice itself. (Note: While this shouldn’t be a major focus of the unit, it could add a thoughtful touch that ties into the tradition. Keep in mind that including this element may influence the overall design, so it’s really up to you)

Expected Outcomes:

• A product that is easy to assemble, use, and store.
• Design features that reflect the warmth, hospitality, and cultural significance of Turkish gatherings.
• Flexibility in materials, offering both high-end options (e.g., walnut wood, marble) and more budget-conscious alternatives (e.g., laminate finishes, lightweight, sustainable materials).

Design Considerations:

• Cultural Relevance: The design must feel at home in Turkish households and resonate with the cultural significance of the Gün. It should incorporate elements that evoke Turkish art and craftsmanship, such as wood carvings, intricate tile patterns, or textiles commonly seen in traditional homes.
• Size and Capacity: The unit must be spacious enough to hold multiple large-sized dishes but also compact enough to fit in modern Turkish apartments, where space may be more limited.
• Portability and Storage: Since hosting duties rotate among the participants, consider how easily the unit can be disassembled or moved, allowing for convenient storage between events. Please keep in mind that mostly the elderly will be handling this unit, so the design has to cater to their ergonomic needs.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The unit should blend seamlessly into Turkish interior decor styles, which range from traditional to modern. Offering customization options or different finishes could make the product more versatile and make itself more apparent in the target market.
• Sustainability: Wherever possible, the use of sustainable materials should be considered, given the growing global focus on environmentally responsible design.

About Turkey and Turkish People

In Turkish culture, the gün tradition is basically a social get-together, where people (usually women) gather to chat, eat, and just have a good time. It’s like a mini-reunion, happening regularly at someone’s home. There’s always plenty of homemade food, tea, and desserts, and everyone takes turns hosting. For elderly women, these gatherings are super important. It’s not just about the food or the socializing; it’s a way for them to stay connected with friends and family.

At a gün, elderly women are often at the center of everything. They share their stories, offer advice, and sometimes even show younger ones how to make certain traditional dishes. People naturally look up to them, and there’s always a sense of respect, whether it’s making sure they have a comfortable seat or helping them with little things. For the elderly, this tradition helps them stay active in the community and keeps them from feeling isolated. It’s a fun, warm way to keep family ties and friendships strong across generations.

Gün Food

Turkish gün food is all about variety, flavor, and hospitality! Since gün is a gathering where people come together to socialize, the food is a central part of the experience. It’s typically homemade, and hosts try to offer a nice mix of savory and sweet dishes to impress their guests. Everything is laid out on a beautifully set table, and everyone helps themselves, enjoying a bit of everything.

Some of the classic savory dishes you’ll find at a gün include börek (a flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat, or spinach), kısır (a bulgur salad with tomatoes, parsley, and pomegranate molasses), and mercimek köftesi (lentil patties). There are also small sandwiches, poğaça (savory pastries), and zeytinyağlı dishes—vegetables cooked in olive oil.

On the sweet side, no gün is complete without baklava or şekerpare (a soft pastry soaked in syrup). There are also lighter treats like kurabiye (cookies) and revani (a semolina cake with syrup). To wash it all down, endless glasses of çay (Turkish tea) are served, keeping the conversation flowing as people enjoy the food.

It’s all about making guests feel welcome, and the variety at a gün table ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Neighborhood Culture

In Turkish culture, neighborhoods (mahalle) are more than just places where people live, they’re like extended families. The sense of community is strong, and people often know their neighbors well, building close-knit relationships over the years. It’s common to see neighbors exchanging food, helping each other with daily tasks, or just chatting while sitting outside their homes. There’s a real sense of looking out for one another, especially when it comes to the elderly. Neighbors will often check in on older residents, bringing them food or helping them with errands.

In more traditional neighborhoods, this bond is even stronger. There’s always someone to lend a hand, whether it’s borrowing a cup of sugar or watching over kids playing in the street. During special occasions, like Ramadan or Bayram, neighbors will share meals and sweets, strengthening their connection. This sense of belonging and mutual support is a big part of daily life in Turkish neighborhoods, creating a warm and friendly environment for everyone.

Hospitality and Turkish Coffee

Hospitality is a huge part of Turkish culture, and it’s all about making guests feel welcome and cared for. Whether you’re a close friend or someone visiting for the first time, Turkish people go out of their way to show warmth and generosity. A key part of this is offering something to eat or drink the moment you step through the door, and one of the most iconic things you’ll be offered is a cup of Turkish coffee. The phrase “Bir fincan kahvenin kırk yıl hatırı vardır” (“A cup of coffee has a memory of forty years”) captures just how important this gesture is.

Turkish coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a ritual. The host will carefully prepare it in a small copper pot called a cezve, serving it in tiny cups with a thick foam on top. It’s strong, rich, and often served with a piece of Turkish delight or chocolate on the side. When you’re offered coffee, it’s more than just a refreshment—it’s an invitation to sit, relax, and chat. Refusing can be tricky because the host will likely insist, seeing it as a key part of showing hospitality.

This welcoming spirit extends beyond homes. In shops or even during business meetings, you might be offered Turkish coffee as a way of building rapport and creating a friendly atmosphere. It’s a small gesture that reflects the deep-rooted belief in treating guests like family and creating a warm, inviting environment for everyone.

PRODUCT FORM:

• Appearance: It should be a physical solution; not too large to occupy too much space in the room.
• Material: Sustainable materials are preferred. 
• Structure: It should be stable to hold the heavy dishes and comfortable to use. 
• User Experience Expectations: People should understand where to sit and how to use the unit properly to get the best dining experience. 
• Cost Expectation: It should be feasible to the general public. The cost range should be around 80 to 300 dollars. 

MARKET RESEARCH

Please let us know if you have any questions! 🙂