P1 House
2022, İstanbul, Türkiye
The project site functioned as a field and promenade in the first half of the nineteenth century. The rural area now known as Koşuyolu underwent rapid urbanization during the 1950s, driven by Istanbul’s growing demand for housing. During this period, Koşuyolu emerged as a distinct district, shaped largely by mass housing projects developed under the affordable housing policies of the time.
These developments formed the foundation of the neighborhood’s spatial identity. With the opening of the Bosphorus Bridge, Koşuyolu’s accessibility increased, accelerating construction activity and intensifying development pressure in the area.
Over time, zoning changes led to higher building density and a gradual reduction of green spaces. Residential use was increasingly replaced by service and office functions, while the socio-economic profile of the district shifted toward upper-middle-income users. As a result, Koşuyolu’s identity transformed, moving steadily away from its original residential character.
Design Approach
The project began with the client’s request to adapt the existing house to their needs after purchasing the property. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, it was decided to preserve and rehabilitate the original structure, allowing the house to respond to contemporary living requirements while remaining aligned with the neighborhood’s character.
To maintain the building’s original form and relationship with its context, four key principles guided the design.
Function
The original residential use of the building was preserved. No intervention was made that would alter the predominantly housing-based character of the neighborhood, which has increasingly come under pressure from office and food service developments.
Building Height and Area
The plans were handled with minimal interference to the building area of the existing building. The building height is protected. Additional functions have been obtained by reconsidering the building section.
Building Density
Since the building was rehabilitated without demolition, there was no change in building density due to the new zoning.
Material
In contrast to the incompatible material choices seen in newer developments in the area, the project favors simple, restrained materials that align with the original character of Koşuyolu.
To accommodate evolving user needs over the past fifty years, a series of architectural interventions were introduced while preserving the original structure.
Plan Interventions
The ground floor was cleared of partition walls to create an open-plan layout. Upper floors were reorganized according to new spatial requirements. The internal staircase was relocated outside the building, allowing greater flexibility in plan organization.
Site Plan
Floor Plans
Section
Section Interventions
Previously unused attic space was reactivated by lowering the ceilings of service areas on the first floor, enabling the attic to function as a study without altering the building height.
Facade Intervention
Existing windows on the east and west facades were enlarged, and new openings were introduced on the south facade. This intervention allows daylight to enter the house throughout the day and strengthens the visual and physical connection with the garden.
Outbuilding Intervention
The detached outbuilding within the garden was reconfigured for guest accommodation and daily use. A transparent glass connection links it to the main house, forming the new entrance sequence.
Structural Interventions
The existing masonry structure was structurally revised to accommodate new spatial interventions and improve earthquake resistance. The corner block was strengthened independently through a reinforced concrete raft foundation, a steel frame system replacing selected masonry walls, and steel-supported floor systems, while the structurally weakened outbuilding was rebuilt in reinforced concrete.
The project results in a plain and restrained residential structure that responds to contemporary needs while respecting the scale, materiality, and character of Koşuyolu. Without exploiting the full allowances of the current zoning plan, the house resolves its new program internally and preserves its relationship with the surrounding urban fabric.
P1 House
2022, İstanbul, Türkiye
Housing, Completed, 198 m²
Team
Fadime Kul Taşkın, Sinan Şerifoğlu, Çetin Ayık, Barış Antik
Collaborators
Contractor
Antik Yapı Tic. Ltd. Şti.
Architectural Photography
Hacer Bozkurt (Studio Hacer Bozkurt)