7800 Çesme Residences and Hotel, Izmir, Turkey

Çeşme has an increasing summer population following the surge in tourism of the last decade. This growth has resulted in an inevitable transformation, sociologically and physically, in Çeşme, in a similar fashion to all latterly explored villages of the Mediterranean and Aegean region.

The 7800 Çeşme project was developed in the context of the effect that it would have on the existing structure. The main building is now closer to the road, so that the large frontal beach and the natural environment were left untouched as much as possible. The linear block of five storeys, has been transformed into a double-sided structure by an internal street, on which vertical and horizontal circulation is organised.

Landscape layer

Instead of being bold and visually prominent, the building is attractive and understated. The structure hides behind the landscape layer that covers it, getting rid of the burden of concepts that might be defined as style, taste and genre of architecture.

Two different blind systems were designed in order to protect the north and south façades from sunlight and wind. These systems, which were made as simple as possible, became the most important elements of the exterior perception.

The way in which the units are located gradually on top of each other in the section creates large garden terraces on both sides. The idea of making the building insignificant, hidden by the landscape layer, was considered the main concern of the project. Instead of a conventional planning tendency on the interiors of the units, transparent and flowing space was planned.

Beside the social areas, there is a single-storey chain of units between the main mass and the beach. All structural elements in this area are also covered with a regular landscape layer.