73 Yalıkavak

TR

Kat73 has transformed a traditional village house in Bodrum Yalıkavak into a contemporary holiday retreat. Named 73 Yalıkavak, the project thoughtfully integrates local architectural elements with modern living needs, preserving the essence of the original structure while adapting it for today’s lifestyle. The office describes the project as follows:

Architecture is not merely the act of constructing a building; it is also the responsibility of creating context, preserving memory, and transforming human experience. In a geography like Bodrum, which possesses a distinctive local architectural tradition and a cultural fabric that demands preservation, this responsibility deepens even further. The recent patterns of urban development in Bodrum seem to standardize the built environment, rendering local identity invisible and diluting the traditional fabric. The unique architectural values of the region appear to be lost within the aesthetic homogeneity of mass-produced residences. How, then, can Bodrum’s architectural memory be integrated with contemporary living? 73 Yalıkavak emerged as a response to this inquiry, reimagining an old village house within the framework of a holiday home.

Here, the concept of a holiday extends beyond mere leisure; it is redefined as an experience that fuses Bodrum’s local architectural identity and the spatial memory of the past with contemporary living practices. This dwelling offers a space where individuals from diverse backgrounds can gather, create their own narratives, and leave traces of their presence. It is in this process that architecture fulfills its purpose: establishing a domain where people connect with space and with each other, leaving behind memories. But how can a holiday home preserve local memory while integrating it with contemporary modes of living? This question is at the core of the design process of 73 Yalıkavak.

The project seeks to initiate a discourse on Bodrum’s architectural memory by reinterpreting an old village house. Traditional village houses in Bodrum exemplify a way of living in harmony with nature. However, how can this mode of life be reconciled with contemporary needs? This house does not claim to provide a definitive answer; rather, it exposes the question itself. During the adaptive reuse process, the spatial and structural elements of the original house were preserved and reevaluated within a contemporary context. This convergence of local memory and contemporary practices enables a critical architectural language to emerge.

The outer walls function not only as boundary elements but also as framing devices that ensure privacy while reinforcing the connection between the house and its surroundings. These walls frame the landscape in fragmented compositions, guiding the user's focus on specific vistas. Beyond offering a mere visual experience, these frames act as filters, transferring the internal dynamics of the space to the external environment. The network of open and intimate relationships established between the house and the garden allows individuals to develop a profound connection with both space and nature.

The garden is designed to accommodate contemporary everyday practices. A cooling pool, an open kitchen, and a communal dining table at the core of the layout serve as spatial manifestations of these practices. The open kitchen, in particular, is not merely a functional area but a focal point where users interact and share experiences. The garden’s permeability and adaptability reinforce its relationship with the house, creating a free space for both individual and collective experiences. Here, the house and garden exist as an inseparable whole, offering not just a space but a way of life.

White serves as a fundamental design element in the project. Present across various layers, from walls to floors, it is not merely an aesthetic choice but an essential component shaping the space’s interaction with light. Beyond referencing Bodrum’s architectural heritage, the use of white on the floors establishes a cohesive expression with the façade, reflecting light into the space and drawing the user into its atmosphere. In contrast, the red details punctuate the project with contemporary rhythm and emphasis. Beginning from the rain gutters and extending into the interior, the red elements signify more than materiality; they underscore the project’s engagement with the dialogue between past and present.

The interior design does not prioritize the selection of specific furniture or objects; rather, it conceptualizes the space as an experiential domain where users establish physical, emotional, and intellectual connections. Embracing a minimalist design approach, the interior composition deliberately juxtaposes natural materials to create a conscious contrast. Materials such as wood and marble were chosen not only for their physical properties but also for their perceptual and emotional impact. While wood conveys warmth and a sense of natural belonging, marble evokes a sense of timeless solidity and tranquility.

The use of these materials reflects not only an aesthetic decision but also a commitment to sustainability. The repurposing of reclaimed wood from the original house into lintels renders the spatial traces of the past visible while integrating them into a contemporary function. This approach embodies an effort to preserve material memory and local values. In contrast, the presence of red infuses the space with an energy that transcends the contemporary, offering a sense of timeless dynamism. Within the interior, red serves as a bridge between past and present, while its juxtaposition with white creates a duality that brings both serenity and vibrancy to the space. Through this interplay of contrasts, the user establishes a deeper physical and emotional connection with the environment.

Atmosphere is not solely defined by the tangible dimensions of space but also by the holistic interplay of light, scent, sound, texture, and emotions experienced within it. This principle forms the foundation of 73 Yalıkavak’s design intent. The seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces was therefore a key aspect of the design process. The time spent by users in this space is enriched through their engagement with various spatial layers, colors, materials, and light. Everyday activities—gathering in the garden, spending time in the open kitchen, resting by the pool, or reading on the built-in bench—become integral components of the narrative the space seeks to construct. Ultimately, the user is not a mere observer of the house but an active participant who co-creates new memories within it.

In conclusion, 73 Yalıkavak offers a proposal for preserving Bodrum’s architectural memory while engaging with contemporary modes of living. This proposal does not assert a definitive resolution but rather aims to provoke dialogue. The design positions white as a representation of memory and red as an accentuation of the contemporary, integrating users as active participants within the spatial experience. The holistic relationship between house and garden invites reconsideration of the built environment’s engagement with its surroundings. This project is not merely a building but a medium for establishing context and initiating discourse. As Gaston Bachelard states, "Space is the shelter of memory, and it gains meaning only through it."

The primary aim of 73 Yalıkavak is to sustain and evolve these traces, adding new layers to the collective memory of its users. In this way, Bodrum’s unique fabric is not reduced to a mere aesthetic reference but is transformed into a living, evolving, and continuously rewritten spatial experience.