Balmumcu | Besiktas | Istanbul, 2026
Landscape Design and Application
Located within Kempinski Residences Balmumcu, one of Istanbul’s most prestigious residential developments, this private garden is a comprehensive landscape design and construction project distinguished not only by its refined aesthetic qualities but also by the advanced structural engineering solutions developed specifically for the site.
As the residence is built above an underground parking structure, the project was approached not as a conventional landscape installation but as a highly engineered roof garden. Every stage of the design process was developed through detailed structural calculations to ensure the long-term performance of the landscape while respecting the technical limitations of the building.
The existing terrace was insufficient to accommodate both the client’s lifestyle requirements and the new spatial program envisioned for the project. Consequently, the hardscape layout was completely reconfigured, introducing additional functional outdoor platforms. Protecting the building’s existing structural system and waterproofing membrane was one of the project’s primary technical requirements. For this reason, all newly constructed platforms were designed as independent structures, structurally separated from both the existing building and the swimming pool walls, eliminating any mechanical connection that could compromise the integrity of the waterproofing system.
To achieve this, all additional hardscape areas were constructed on self-supporting galvanized steel framing systems, providing complete structural continuity while remaining entirely independent of the existing building. A permanent void-forming system was incorporated within the steel structure, creating the required usable spaces while significantly reducing fill volume and minimizing the loads transferred to the parking slab below. This engineering approach preserved the building’s existing technical infrastructure while delivering a lightweight, durable, sustainable, and high-performance roof garden solution.
During construction, the existing soil fill was excavated to a depth of approximately one meter, exposing the reinforced concrete slab above the underground parking structure and allowing the required infrastructure works to be completed. A galvanized steel structural framework was subsequently installed to optimize load distribution, followed by the integration of the permanent void-forming system, which enabled the creation of terraces at varying elevations throughout the garden.
The void-forming system also allowed all electrical, automatic irrigation, and mechanical service lines to be fully concealed within the structure. A reinforced concrete topping slab was then cast over the system, creating a robust and long-lasting substrate for the finished landscape. As the primary paving material, Rain Grey natural marble was selected to establish visual continuity with the architectural language of the residence. Within the outdoor dining area, Rain Grey marble was combined with Diabase stone in a checkerboard pattern, creating a distinctive paving composition that reinforces the overall design identity of the garden.
The project is equally defined by its carefully considered functional outdoor living spaces, developed around the family’s everyday lifestyle. A fully equipped outdoor kitchen incorporating an open-air shower, sink, and wood-fired pizza oven was designed alongside a dedicated dog-washing station and a mirrored outdoor storage unit that discreetly accommodates the property’s storage requirements while maintaining the garden’s clean architectural appearance. Each element was carefully detailed to enhance daily living while contributing to the project’s cohesive design language.
Material selection played a significant role in defining the character of the project. Handmade ceramic tiles specially sourced from Spain were used to clad the outdoor shower, kitchen unit, and galvanized steel planter structures. The kitchen countertops were finished in porcelain, while the bar, supported by stainless steel legs, was fabricated entirely from solid Diabase stone. At the centre of the outdoor dining area, the tabletop was finished with handmade ceramic tiles imported from Sicily, introducing a distinctive handcrafted element that reinforces the project’s refined material palette.
Given the roof garden condition, the existing soil depth was insufficient to support the intended planting strategy. To overcome this limitation, raised planting systems supported by galvanized steel structures were developed throughout the landscape. These elements were completed with handmade ceramic cladding and Diabase coping, providing the necessary soil volume while successfully combining structural performance with architectural expression. The terraced landscape was further enriched with movable planters manufactured from both fibre composite and natural terracotta, introducing layered planting compositions of varying scales. This approach created a rich, natural, and evolving garden environment within the structural constraints of the roof garden while allowing flexibility for future planting arrangements and changing patterns of use.
Designed specifically for the lifestyle of a family with children and pets, the project represents a user-focused landscape realization in which engineering, functionality, material selection, and craftsmanship are integrated with exceptional attention to detail. Rather than allowing structural constraints to limit the design, the project demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can transform technical challenges into high-quality living environments, establishing a distinctive contemporary example of roof garden design and construction.
