Anadolu Hisarı | Istanbul, 2020
Landscape Design and Application
For Komodor Remzi Paşa Mansion, a historic waterfront residence located in one of the Bosphorus’s most prestigious settings and distinguished by its architectural and cultural value, a comprehensive landscape implementation project was developed with careful consideration of the building’s original character and the lifestyle of its new users. The landscape implementation drawings and planting works were carried out by our team, while the hardscape construction was implemented by a separate contractor.
The primary design approach was to establish a sense of continuity between the mansion’s classical architectural language and its outdoor spaces through materials, proportions, geometry, and planting textures. A specially selected marble was used for the ground surfaces in a traditional herringbone pattern, creating a timeless paving language that reinforces the historic character of the building.
In order to reduce the dominant effect of the extensive hardscape and establish a stronger connection with the natural landscape of the Bosphorus, the existing paved surfaces were surrounded and softened with dense planting wherever possible. By carefully extending planted areas into the hardscape, a more balanced and seamless transition between the architectural mass and the landscape was achieved.
Raised metal planters were introduced both to provide the required soil depth for planting and to balance the proportions of the expansive paved areas. Rather than functioning solely as a technical solution, these elements were conceived as integral components of the landscape composition, establishing a strong relationship between different levels and layers of vegetation.
Terracotta and fiber planters were selected to complement the material and color palette of the classical architecture. Their forms and arrangements were designed with a clear and controlled geometric approach, running parallel to the architectural lines of the mansion. The distinct geometric forms used throughout the planting design reinforce the ordered and symmetrical character of the classical architecture, while being balanced by the natural movement and texture of the vegetation.
The high exposure to wind and saltwater resulting from the mansion’s immediate proximity to the Bosphorus was one of the key criteria in plant selection. Accordingly, species resilient to the local climatic conditions and challenging microclimate were carefully selected, with the aim of creating a planting design that would remain both durable and aesthetically valuable throughout the seasons.
Overall, the project aimed to establish an elegant, controlled, and timeless landscape language that respects the mansion’s historic and classical architectural identity while responding to contemporary patterns of use. Through the balanced relationship between architecture, ground plane, and planting, the residence has been transformed into a sophisticated outdoor experience that seamlessly integrates with the unique natural character of the Bosphorus.
