Buyukada | Istanbul, 2018
Landscape Design and Application
Located in the center of Büyükada, this historic building, constructed in 1912, underwent an extensive restoration process while preserving its original architectural character and structural fabric. The two-year restoration aimed to remain faithful to the building’s historical identity while introducing improvements that respond to contemporary needs and standards of use.
The primary approach throughout the restoration was to preserve the existing character of the building and to carry out necessary interventions with careful consideration of its architectural integrity. The building has two main entrances, one at the front and one at the rear. The rear entrance opens directly onto the small garden, creating a natural transition between the interior and exterior spaces.
Restoration
Over time, deterioration to the exterior façade and original timber joinery was carefully repaired, with damaged wooden elements replaced in accordance with the original design. The roof system, which had reached the end of its service life, was comprehensively renewed, including its entire substructure and roof tiles.
The original Ankara comb motif on the front façade, an important element of the building’s architectural identity, was preserved and also reproduced on the rear façade over the existing plastered wall. All existing doors were repaired and retained, while the decorative motifs beneath the eaves were reproduced using templates taken from the original details. The rainwater drainage system was renewed using more durable materials compatible with the character of the building.
Inside, the existing traditional khorasan plaster technique was repaired and preserved. In certain areas, the removal of deteriorated plaster revealed double rows of brick load-bearing walls, which were intentionally left exposed, bringing the building’s historical layers into the interior. In this way, the emphasis on authenticity maintained on the exterior was continued throughout the interior spaces.
The original ceiling motifs were reproduced using templates taken from the existing details. Timber skirting boards were renewed, while all mechanical and electrical systems were upgraded to meet contemporary standards of use. The interior layout was reconfigured in response to new usage scenarios, while the existing staircase was preserved and completed with timber tread finishes, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with the building’s architectural character.
As part of the continued restoration process, the rear garden was redesigned as a multifunctional living space capable of accommodating the everyday needs of a large family as well as larger gatherings of guests.
The existing level difference between the building and the garden was retained, while the terrace area was extended with a timber deck installed over a galvanized steel structure. Fair-faced concrete parapets were designed to provide the necessary soil depth for planting.
For the planting design, Cupressus sempervirens ‘Pyramidalis’ was selected to establish a vertical rhythm that reinforces the architecture and was positioned in terracotta planters. The vertical character of the cypress trees establishes a relationship with the proportions of the historic façade, giving the garden a strong yet restrained planting identity.
To enhance the functional capacity of the garden, a bespoke outdoor kitchen was designed. The outdoor kitchen module was conceived to accommodate a range of scenarios, from family gatherings to everyday use. To protect the kitchen elements from the weather when not in use, a timber louvered enclosure system was developed, designed to integrate seamlessly with the architectural character of the building.
The garden gate and railings were custom-designed with reference to the original Ankara comb motif found on the building’s front façade and fabricated in galvanized steel. By reinterpreting the architectural detail at the garden boundary, a visual continuity was established between the building and the landscape.
One of the key design and construction challenges of the project was carrying out all construction and logistical operations under the conditions of an island. The transportation of materials, equipment, and construction processes to Büyükada, combined with the sensitive nature of the restoration work, constituted a significant component of the project.
