red earthen-plaster office's linear volumes trace grapevine rows in rural turkey

Rubrum Office Integrates Linear Vineyard Patterns into its design

Rubrum Office by Office Istanbul Architects is situated within a vineyard and olive grove in Seferihisar, İzmir, Turkey, which boasts suitable soil for wine production and captivates visitors with its geography. The presence of the vineyard is the most significant influence in shaping the design concept of the structure. The linear alignment of the grapevines, strategically placed to maximize yield and guided by the prevailing winds in the area, forms an important reference that defines the structure’s form. The design concept aims to create an office space that subtly integrates into the dynamic flow of the vineyard. The structure is delicately embedded into the natural terrain, concealing its spaces within. Its aesthetic impact varies from different angles, sometimes fusing with the axes of the vine rows, appearing as a hidden space within the topography, and at other times standing out as a dominant vertical element with its strong and emphasized walls.

all images courtesy of Office Istanbul Architects

Earthen Walls and Central Courtyard Shape Office’s Spatial Flow

For the primary material of the structure, Office Istanbul Architects Studio selects colored earth-based mineral plaster, which symbolizes the representation of the process of nurturing and growing from the land itself. The walls that the visitor follows play a central role in approaching the structure. The guidance of these walls leads the user to an initial courtyard within the building. Positioned at the center of the structure and designed as a sheltered space, the courtyard enables functions such as reception, connection, and distribution. The courtyard serves as a semi-open living area, providing comfort and protection against adverse climatic conditions, while also facilitating circulation between the surrounding spaces. This void created within the structure not only acts as a physical, architectural, and symbolic axis for the project but also carries the typology of the traditional ‘Life’ spaces found in old Aegean houses, characterized by earth or stone floors and the distribution of rooms.

Office Istanbul Architects situates Rubrum Office within a vineyard and olive grove

the building sits in Seferihisar, İzmir, a region known for ideal wine-growing soil

the structure is embedded into the natural terrain, minimizing its visual impact

colored earth-based mineral plaster defines the project’s primary material

the material choice symbolizes growth and connection to the surrounding land

guiding walls lead visitors through the site toward the building’s entrance

semi-open corridors connect surrounding rooms and workspaces

the courtyard functions as a sheltered zone for reception and circulation

project info:

name: Rubrum Office

architects: Office Istanbul Architects
lead designer: Kemal Serkan DEMİR
location: Seferihisar, İzmir, Turkey

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom