Vanikoy |AU| House

Vanikoy | Uskudar | Istanbul 2010

Landscape Design and Application

Located on the hillsides of Uskudar, overlooking the Bosphorus, this private residential project was designed and implemented by Betula Landscape Architecture. The structural works of the project were also carried out by our team.

The sloping topography was taken as one of the primary design determinants. The architecture and landscape were organized across different levels, allowing the built environment to respond naturally to the existing terrain. The entrance, building, and pool levels were differentiated to establish distinct spatial relationships and functions at each elevation. During the construction process, the terrain was carefully terraced with retaining walls to ensure a comfortable and safe use of the site.

To soften the rigid and heavy appearance that could result from the use of high stone-clad retaining walls, stepped terraces were introduced between the walls using timber railway sleepers. The combination of sleeper walls, steps, and stone surfaces allows the topography to be reinterpreted in a controlled manner while introducing a warmer, more natural, and tactile character to the landscape.

A natural and timeless material palette was adopted throughout the project. Timber is used extensively, with Iroko decking selected for the pool terrace. Broad Iroko coping elements were designed along the parapets, providing additional surfaces that can also function as informal seating. A bespoke garden storage unit was incorporated into the design to allow garden equipment and outdoor materials to be stored in an organized manner.

Poured-in-place mosaic and ceramic finishes were used across the ground surfaces, while the metal elements—including sliding doors, railings, and trellises supporting the vertical growth of climbing plants—were specially designed for the project. Modular imported planters were used across the expansive terraces, while Cotto cubes placed over a gravel surface define a more natural and textured arrival sequence at the entrance.

Bringing together structural elements, natural materials, and planting design, the project creates a landscape that preserves the character of the existing topography while reinforcing its warmth through carefully selected materials and refined detailing. The result is a natural yet sophisticated landscape with a strong sense of continuity between architecture and its surrounding environment.