- Project: Casa Solis
- Architect: BAD – Başak Akkoyunlu Design
- Location: Turkey, Çeşme, İzmir
- Year: 2024
- Area: 470 m2
- Photography: ZM Yaşa, Başak Akkoyunlu
Casa Solis is a refined summer residence designed by the İzmir-based architecture studio BAD – Başak Akkoyunlu Design, led by architect Başak Akkoyunlu. Positioned on a 1,033 m² plot in the coastal town of Çeşme, this contemporary villa exemplifies how spatial clarity and contextual sensitivity can converge into a harmonious summer retreat.
Design Philosophy Rooted in Place
Guided by BAD’s belief that every project and location possesses a unique spirit, Casa Solis balances function with elegance. Its architectural language draws from the surrounding landscape, integrating site orientation and climate responsiveness into every design choice. The project’s layout consists of two volumes: a single-story wing for communal living and a three-story section for private bedrooms, strategically divided to enhance spatial functionality and privacy.
Architecture Aligned With Nature
Facing the west and south, the main living areas open up to panoramic views. The design smartly incorporates deep overhangs and strategic setbacks to buffer intense sunlight and coastal winds. The south-facing volume, which contains the kitchen, benefits from a recessed layout that shields its outdoor seating area from harsh western light, enhancing user comfort. Meanwhile, the terrace features a custom outdoor kitchen and utility zone with a garden shed and shower, thoughtfully hidden behind the main volume.
A signature architectural element is a wide eave supported by a single circular column on the eastern façade—an expressive gesture that not only provides structural function but also lends the house its poetic name: Casa Solis, in harmony with the setting sun.
Seamless Transitions Between Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
The villa’s infinity pool is designed to extend the aesthetic flow of the terrace with shared materials, blurring boundaries between architecture and landscape. Carefully placed garden walls of exposed concrete topped with transparent railings preserve the sea view while maintaining privacy.
A secondary outdoor seating area in the garden’s northwest corner offers an alternative retreat, directly accessible from the parking zone—underscoring BAD’s meticulous spatial planning.
Interior Architecture: Elegant Minimalism
The house is accessed via a dramatic canopy clad in iroko wood that extends to the main entrance, which opens into a corridor separating the living areas from the bedrooms. A framed view of Chios Island greets visitors upon entry. The living room features 4.2-meter ceilings and opens into a generous dining and sitting area seamlessly connected to the garden.
Each bedroom is oriented toward the landscape and has direct access to the outdoors. Lamella panels on the eastern side provide light and ventilation to service spaces while maintaining privacy.
The basement, accessed via a staircase in the bedroom wing, houses technical rooms, storage, and a service suite connected to a laundry chute—a highly functional feature for extended summer stays.
Natural Materials and Textural Harmony
The façade combines textured plaster with natural stone for a robust and elegant exterior. Indoors, light-toned parquet flooring and beige ceramic tiles offer visual continuity and tranquility. The signature element is a custom-selected honed travertine from Denizli, used in the kitchen and living area, complemented by grooved basalt for texture. A grey marble fireplace completes the material palette with sophistication, extending into the entrance hall.
