24.02.2025
Petya House
Located in a complex completed in the 1990s in Datça, the structure was reinterpreted in a contemporary way by ZESA Architecture while retaining its original architectural details.
Petya, a significant investment of its era, was designed as a Mediterranean vacation retreat, featuring different types of residences. It holds significant value for the town, having embedded itself in the local architectural memory. However, over time, the properties have undergone numerous excessive alterations of poor quality, making it impossible to maintain a cohesive architectural language. The aim of the project was to explore how to approach such a structure in a contemporary way while preserving its original values and blending the old with the new.
The building’s layout, consisting of split levels, was arranged to maximize user comfort by designating different functions to each level. The lowest split level was designed as a play area and children's bedroom. The kitchen and living area, which were previously on the top floor, were moved to the entry level to connect with the outdoor spaces. This made the main areas much more accessible and functional. The middle split level, with the balcony, is designed as a guest bedroom. The top floor is planned as the primary suite, with a bathroom and walk-in closet, while the adjacent split level features a terrace with a seating area and an outdoor kitchen, offering a wonderful view. The small volume opening onto this terrace is reorganized as a working nook.
To reference the building’s history and emphasize the continuity of a summer house vibe, terrazzo is used for both the interior and exterior flooring. Wooden materials are incorporated to balance the overall atmosphere. All other materials and textures are chosen to contribute to the sense of spaciousness. The complex’s characteristic textured plaster is reapplied to the facade. Custom furniture is designed for each area to make the smaller volumes more functional. The furniture in the kitchen is built to accommodate large units, such as the air conditioner, buffet, and fridge. The additional countertop area serves as a semi-island. The low headboard closet furniture in the primary bedroom helps create a feeling of spaciousness while allowing the view to be perceived from all sides.
The openings on the facade are preserved, and the building is stripped of all subsequent additions. The outdoor spaces are redesigned to encourage more time spent outside, taking advantage of the excellent climate. The existing entrance courtyard, which was entirely hardscaped, is transformed into a shaded, comfortable seating area surrounded by greenery. The olive tree positioned along the entrance axis is intended to enrich the interior as well as the courtyard. This vista with the tree transformed the architectural perception of the interior circulation, which holds a substantial place in the users' daily lives in this house. Lightweight pergolas are designed for the terrace of the living area and the primary bedroom, using the region’s local material, bulrush, for the roofing. The aim for these pergolas was to emphasize the building’s recessed masses.
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