work
projects:architecture
CAVILLAN
Location: Urla, IZMIR, TR
Built Area: 250m2
Date: 2023
Type: Residental
Status: Built
In the development of this architectural concept, a key focus was on creating the kitchen as a central gathering point. Due to the significant time the family spends in this space, it was chosen as the heart of the building. The kitchen is easily accessible from both the public and private areas, serving as a central meeting point for the entire family.
The inclusion of a gallery and high ceilings in the two-story residential block was also a desire. However, particular attention was given to the absence of stairs for the daily-use spaces. To meet the family's daily needs, the primary living areas were strategically placed on the ground floor, while the upper floor exclusively houses guest rooms.
A special emphasis was placed on creating a living environment well-suited for regular guests. The thoughtful design provides ample space for visitors while preserving everyone's privacy. The resulting concept places the kitchen at the heart of the residential complex, serving as a central element between private and public spaces. A private block above the kitchen encompasses the family's private quarters. Another two-story block, also accessible through the kitchen, houses the living room, home office, guest rooms, and the main access.
The view and access to the pool are central features of the design, seamlessly integrated into the living room, kitchen, and bedroom. The kitchen fronts can be opened to both the north and south sides, allowing the surrounding landscape to flow into the house and providing natural ventilation, creating a harmonious connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The main entrance is through the two-story block, effectively separating the work and living areas. This design allows guests and clients to enter without glimpses into the private spaces. The terrace plays a crucial role next to the main entrance, especially in favorable Aegean weather. Open fronts blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors on sunny days, seamlessly merging the building with its surroundings. Thus, on warm days, one enters the building less through the main entrance and more through the terrace.
Regarding materials and construction, local stone combined with a steel structure was chosen. Stone serves as an efficient and natural insulation material, rendering the use of artificial insulation unnecessary. Photovoltaic panels support the power supply for the house and pool, enabling independence from the grid.
The architectural form is based on a reinterpretation of traditional construction methods with hand-formed and stacked stones, incorporating old building techniques and giving the house a unique character that is both functional and culturally rooted.
OVA/CIK
Location: Çeşme, IZMIR, TR
Built Area: 250m2
Date: 2023
Type: Residental
Status: Built
This project comprises a two-story vacation home for a family of two in a sparsely built environment surrounded by olive trees. The core idea is to design the ground floor with maximum transparency, seamlessly integrating it into the natural surroundings.
The structure consists of two parts: the ground floor features a handcrafted stone wall made from local materials, forming a sturdy backbone and boasting a mostly open front facing southwest. This integration seamlessly blends the garden with the living space and serves as a covered terrace when the facade is open. The slightly more enclosed upper floor, a modern reinforced concrete block, sits atop this stone wall, merging local craftsmanship with contemporary architecture. The open fronts allow for "outdoor living" during most seasons. The upper floor hosts private spaces with generous windows and views, which can be closed off with sun protection when needed.
In essence, the building presents itself as a concrete block on a massive stone wall. The lower block symbolizes the traditional open lifestyle of the Aegean, while the upper block represents the modern, minimalist way of life. The pool offers a pleasant view from the dining area throughout the year. A separate small block serves as a covering for the carport, home office, and a privacy screen for the garden, avoiding the need for tall walls around the property to maintain privacy.
Location: Seferihisar, IZMIR, TR
Area: 230m2
Date: 2024
Type: Residental
Status: In Progress
The Çolak-Twins represent two interconnected two-story residential houses on a 390m2 plot in Seferihisar, Izmir. The design complexity is to realize two autonomous residential structures with maximum comfort on a limited area of just 111m2 gross floor area. Despite their close proximity and a shared wall, the privacy of each house is preserved through thoughtful architectural arrangement. Each house features its own green outdoor space, a shared courtyard, and integrated parking spaces on the property.
The architectural language of this structure is characterized by a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional building styles. The reduced and clearly structured design of the buildings aims to create a subtle contrast with the surrounding environment while seamlessly blending into the local context. The use of architectural elements such as separate outdoor areas, a courtyard, and thoughtful spatial planning reflects efforts towards achieving maximum functionality and comfort.
PLACE OF A
Location: Urla, IZMIR, TR
Built Area: 150m2
Date: 2021
Type: Residental
Status: Built
The house covers an area of 150m² and is divided into a single-story public area and a two-story private section. The fundamental concept behind the building is to seamlessly integrate into its natural surroundings, adopting the local architecture, culture, and materials while leveraging state-of-the-art technology to achieve a modern design sensibility.
Within the building are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a guest WC, and a spacious living room with an open kitchen and storage room. The house is technically designed to be connected to the public electricity and water networks but can function independently when needed. Water is transported to the technical room via an artesian well, filtered, and then fed into the house's internal water network. Electricity is generated by photovoltaic panels on the property and can also be used as needed.
In terms of material selection, all surfaces planned to be made of stone are composed of local travertine, providing pleasant coolness indoors on warm days. In contrast, all built-in furniture surfaces and doors are made of stained oak, imparting warmth to the interior and creating an appealing contrast to the stone. Black metal is recurrently used in connection elements and details, adding a touch of modernity to the overall concept.
The result is a house that eschews all unnecessary elements, opting for simplicity and consistency in its material choices, thereby yielding a timeless design.
Location: Aegean, Universal
Area: 50m2
Date: 2021
Type: Public
Status: Concept
During Ekrem Gün's terms as the spokesperson for Seferihisar City Council and Izmir City Councils in 2019, the conceptual study of the 'Mahalle Evi' (Neighborhood House Project), which he developed, was formulated as a pilot project. This innovative initiative aims to bring together a democratic local governance model through neighborhood assemblies and versatile 'Mahalle Evleri' (Neighborhood Houses), which include various participatory processes and social activities.
These spaces are intended to serve as the fundamental elements of democracy in the neighborhood, providing residents with opportunities to develop shared wisdom and strengthen a culture of solidarity.
Each 'Mahalle Evi' (Neighborhood House) is designed as a social space where neighborhood issues will be discussed, solutions generated, educational seminars and discussions held, and cultural events organized.
The participation and ownership of neighborhood residents are envisioned to be realized with the support and collaboration of city councils and municipalities. The project emphasizes the importance of ensuring the widest possible participation and ownership of neighborhood assemblies. The natural inclusion of neighborhood muhtar’s (elected local official responsible for the administration of a neighborhood) as members in the existing City Council structure is considered a critical factor for the effectiveness of these assemblies.
Additionally, support for ‚muhtarships‘ is seen as an integral part of this pilot project to enable participatory processes to reach and be accessible to all segments of society.
Neighborhood assemblies are expected to consist of volunteers from among neighborhood residents, with an executive board and spokespersons established through a structure defined in the city council regulations. The success of this project will be possible through active participation by the neighborhood residents and shaping the content of the project.
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Mahalle Evleri
Seferihisar Kent Konseyi ve İzmir Kent Konseyleri dönem sözcülüğünü üstlendiği dönemlerde Ekrem Gün'ün 2019 yılında geliştirdiği Mahalle Evi Projesi kavramsal çalışması, bir pilot proje olarak geliştirilmiştir. Bu yenilikçi girişim, mahalle meclisleri aracılığıyla demokratik bir yerel yönetim modelini, çeşitli katılımcı süreçleri ve toplumsal etkinlikleri içeren çok amaçlı Mahalle Evleri ile bir araya getirmeyi planlamıştır. Bu mekanlar, demokrasinin mahalledeki temel taşları olarak işlev görmesi ve mahalle sakinlerine ortak aklını geliştirme ve dayanışma kültürünü güçlendirme fırsatı sunmasını amaçlamaktadır.
Her Mahalle Evi, mahalle sorunlarının tartışılacağı, çözümler üretileceği, eğitici seminer ve söyleşilerin, kültürel etkinliklerin yapıldığı bir sosyal mekân olarak tasarlanmıştır. Mahalle sakinlerinin katılımı ve sahiplenmesi, kent konseyleri ve belediyelerin destek ve işbirliğiyle gerçekleşmesi düşünülmüştür. Proje, mahalle meclislerinin katılımın en geniş şekilde sağlanmasının ve sahiplenilmesinin önemine vurgu yapmaktadır. Mevcut Kent Konseyleri yapılanmasında mahalle muhtarlarının doğal üye olarak yer alması, bu meclislerin etkinliği için kritik bir faktördür. Ayrıca, katılımcı süreçlerin toplumun her kesimine ulaşabilmesi ve duyurulabilir olması için muhtarlıkların desteklenmesi bu pilot projenin bir parçasıdır.
Mahalle meclisleri, mahalle sakinleri arasından gönüllülerden oluşacak ve kent konseyleri tüzüğü içinde belirlenecek bir yapı ile yürütme kurulu ve sözcülerine sahip olması ön görülmüştür. Bu projenin başarısı, mahallelinin aktif katılımı ve proje içeriğini şekillendirmesi ile mümkün olacaktır.
BT60
Location: Schwarzwald, GER
Built Area: 192m2
Date: 2024
Type: Residental
Status: Under Construction
BT60 is a building from the 1960s, located in the Black Forest, Germany. The new owners aim to preserve the distinctive charm of the 1960s while elevating the architectural design to a contemporary level. This project, encompassing approximately 200 square meters, harmoniously integrates historical and modern elements.
The original terrazzo tiles in the entrance hall remain as a prominent design feature, while the interior undergoes a comprehensive modernization. The existing hardwood floors are meticulously restored in selected areas. Artifacts and souvenirs from the residents' travels enhance the interior, creating a multi-layered, cohesive atmosphere that bridges the historical essence of the building with the modern lifestyle of its inhabitants.
Central to the redesign is an open, light-filled spatial concept, utilizing warm, light earth tones to create an inviting and contemporary living environment. These tones serve as a unifying theme, consistently woven throughout the entire house, establishing a harmonious overall aesthetic.
projects:design
coming soon, 2024
More to come.
