S House is a residential structure built on a 2700 m² plot of land in Istanbul, with a total usable built area of approximately 450 m². This modern residential building consists of a basement, a ground floor, and first floor. The main entrance, located on the road side, is integrated with a garage and includes a 60 m² annex structure that can accommodate a family. The land is bordered by a stream on the forest-facing side. Located in the rural outskirts of Istanbul, the building is surrounded by forests with oak, beech, and chestnut trees. The region, with a transitional climate between the Black Sea and Mediterranean climates, has a rich flora. The nature, clean air, absence of light and absence of noise pollution, and the ease of access to the area made it a preferred location for the residents.
The living space, featuring an open kitchen integrated with a study room and three bedrooms, is characterized by its simple and minimalist architecture. The open kitchen, spacious corridors, and the functional use of interior spaces with abundant natural light provide ideal areas and surfaces for displaying the home’s art collection. The continuous movement of daylight within the home allows the displayed works of art to be experienced with different emotions. The powerful atmosphere created within the building enables the residents to use the space in a manner tailored specifically to their needs, strengthening the emotional bond with the building and contributing to the creation of high-quality architecture. The interior composition, combining architectural elements such as the custom-designed kitchen, wet volumes, entrance door, staircase, fireplace, and lighting with the residents' tasteful furniture choices, is in perfect harmony.
The house, constructed with a steel structure and contemporary minimalist architecture based on basic geometric forms, is positioned within nature. The use of natural materials and large transparent openings on its façades create reflections and permeability, making the building blend harmoniously with its surroundings while aiming to provide a unique experience for its users. The building integrates with the landscape through front and rear garden terraces, a swimming pool, and a 400-year-old olive tree. Additionally, between these two elements, there is a sunken seating area with an outdoor fireplace in the center. All these architectural and natural elements have been designed to make the structure an integral part of its surroundings, enriching the daily experiences of its users and providing pleasant living spaces. Both the interior and exterior surfaces used for displaying artwork are significant parameters in the design process of both the architectural and landscape design. Trees and plants used in the landscape are confined to specific areas, while other spaces can be considered as large neutral voids, serving as exhibition grounds and walls for the artworks. The entire building is designed to accommodate an art curation process. The transitional spaces within the structure are designed in a way that allows the light and volume to naturally focus the viewer’s gaze, becoming a part of the curation. Refined details and architectural elements have been simplified and merged with the topology, becoming an integral part of the walls and floors. The minimalist design has evolved into a maximalist art exhibition tool. This entire composition, with all of the building’s movable or fixed elements, enriches the user’s interaction and the qualities brought by the architecture, taking the experience of the home to a different dimension. The collaboration of art, design, and architecture at this level is a rare example, undoubtedly making a valuable contribution to architectural literature.