Our Story: MezMob, handcrafted in Ankara since 1996
MEZMOB
What our name means
In the Circassian language, mez means tree, or forest. Mob comes from mobilya, the Turkish word for furniture.
Together, MezMob simply means furniture from the forest. The name is also a tribute to the Circassian master craftsmen Zeki Özden and his son Musa Özden, whose workshop we took over, and whose care for wood still guides us every day.
A workshop with roots
Our story begins in Siteler, Ankara’s historic furniture-making district, home to generations of woodworkers. Our workshop was founded by Master Zeki Özden, a Circassian craftsman and one of the oldest masters of Siteler, known for his patience and his respect for solid wood. It was carried on by his son, Musa Özden.
On 19 October 1996, our founder, architect Berkay Ünlükoç, took over the workshop from Musa Özden. Combining an architect’s eye for proportion and space with a master’s hand-craft traditions, the workshop went on to build countless pieces of solid wood furniture, from office desks to kitchen cabinets.
Over the years, one area became our true specialty: wood that lives with water. Bathroom furniture is the most demanding test for any wooden piece. It must stay beautiful, stable and sound through heat, steam and daily use. This is where our experience matters most.
How the first tub was born
“It began with a single bath in Japan, and a wish to bring that feeling home.”
On a trip to Japan, Berkay discovered the ofuro, the traditional Japanese wooden soaking tub. The deep, quiet warmth of a wooden bath was unforgettable, and back in Türkiye he decided to build one for his own home in our workshop.
That first tub turned into a passion, and the passion into our work. We began by following traditional Japanese methods. Step by step, we refined them with modern techniques and our own solutions, developed through decades of experience with solid wood, until we had a way of building that is truly ours.
The woods we work with
Every piece is made from carefully selected solid wood. Each species has its own colour, aroma and character.
Turkish Cedar
The wood we know best and love working with most. Naturally aromatic and resistant to moisture and decay, Turkish cedar is the heart of many MezMob tubs. We trust it so much that we even craft cigar humidors from it.
Iroko
A dense, durable hardwood with a warm golden-brown tone that deepens over time. Iroko is well suited to constant contact with water.
Sipo Mahogany
Rich in colour with an elegant, even grain. Sipo mahogany brings a deep, classic warmth to a bathroom.
Our journey
Before 1996
Master Zeki Özden, one of the oldest craftsmen of Siteler, Ankara’s historic furniture-making district, founds the workshop. It is later carried on by his son, Musa Özden.
1996
On 19 October 1996, architect Berkay Ünlükoç takes over the workshop from Musa Özden and establishes the company behind MezMob.
Since then
Countless pieces of solid wood furniture, from office desks to kitchen cabinets, with a growing focus on wood that lives with water.
Today
Handcrafted wooden soaking tubs, bathroom vanities and bath accessories, delivered to homes around the world.
Made for you, by hand
Every MezMob tub is made to order in our Ankara workshop. Whether you choose one of our standard sizes or ask for a tub built to the exact dimensions of your bathroom, it is shaped, joined and finished by hand, one piece at a time.
Because solid wood is a living material, no two tubs are ever the same. Its grain, colour and natural patina make your tub uniquely yours. We stand behind our work with a one-year limited warranty, and we deliver worldwide with all duties and taxes handled for you on our ready-to-ship products.