lime-washed facade in terracotta tones enfolds urla family home in turkey

Local Materials and Climate Shape Urla House in İzmir

Located in a village in Urla, İzmir, Turkey, between olive-covered hills and the Aegean Sea, this family house is situated within a landscape shaped by climate, agriculture, and long-standing settlement patterns. Urla House by Studio Irmak Turanli responds to its setting through material choices, spatial organization, and environmental strategies informed by local conditions.

The house is conceived as a contemporary interpretation of regional Aegean architecture, drawing on the area’s vineyards, olive groves, and gently sloping coastal terrain. The design references vernacular forms and construction methods while adapting them to present-day domestic use. The layout supports everyday activities and collective use, accommodating extended stays and shared cooking and living practices typical of Mediterranean domestic culture.

Sustainability informed the project from the outset through the use of locally sourced and climate-responsive materials. Limestone, wood, lime plaster, and hemp define the material palette, with stone sourced within a 150-kilometer radius and installed by local craftspeople. Urla’s climatic conditions, hot, dry summers and mild but windy winters, shaped the building’s orientation and spatial configuration. A pre-existing ground-floor structure was incorporated into the design and now functions as a bedroom opening onto the terrace. The terrace and its deep roof overhang are positioned to provide shade from direct sunlight and protection from prevailing winds, supporting outdoor use throughout the day.

terracotta arches open the house to the olive tree–covered hills | all images courtesy of Studio Irmak Turanli

Irmak Turanli collaborates with Local craftspeople

Local craftsmanship played a central role in the construction process. A carpenter experienced in traditional boat building contributed lightweight timber structures for built-in elements such as the library and bedroom fittings. Rammed-earth benches and table bases were constructed on site using soil, clay, and sand excavated during construction. Large terrace planters were developed in collaboration with a pottery studio in Menemen, İzmir, using locally sourced clay whose coloration aligns with the lime-washed facade.

Studio Irmak Turanli’s spatial organization reflects the domestic program. The ground floor functions as a shared living zone, with an open kitchen and living area extending toward the terrace. A long kitchen island serves both food preparation and dining, replacing a formal dining room and supporting collective use. The upper floor contains private bedrooms, each oriented to capture natural light and views of the surrounding hills, with direct access to terraces that provide more secluded outdoor spaces.

The landscape strategy prioritizes continuity with the existing site conditions. Mature olive trees were retained as part of the spatial composition. A water element is integrated through the placement of the pool, which reflects light onto the terrace arches and ceilings. From within the pool, views toward the sea visually extend the water surface beyond the site boundary, reinforcing a connection between architecture and the surrounding terrain.

warm light fills the terrace at sunset as terracotta arches reflect in the pool, casting shifting patterns on the walls

locally sourced limestone, wood, lime plaster, and hemp define the material palette

the terrace’s deep overhang offers shade and protection, while the infinity pool extends toward the Aegean Sea

large terrace planters were produced using locally sourced clay from İzmir

vernacular forms and construction methods inform the architectural language

warm lighting emitted from within the arches illuminates the trees and planting, while the pool reflects the forms

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a custom-designed travertine and wood closet anchors the room, while windows open to the terrace

a long kitchen island functions as both preparation and dining space, while the large window frames the garden

the custom library shifts in depth and rhythm, creating displays for books and ceramics while meeting the fireplace’s curved form

floating wooden steps with hidden storage feature warm integrated lighting

the master bedroom faces the fields, with a tall arched window positioned to capture the landscape

the master bathroom faces the second-floor roof terrace, bringing in light and views through a narrow window

the secondary bathroom is filled with indirect natural light, highlighting the stone surfaces and wood details

project info:

name: Urla House
architect: Studio Irmak Turanli | @irmakturanli

location: Urla, İzmir, Turkey

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom