How do you belong somewhere?
To answer the question, Dolmus from Lucerne, Switzerland carefully examined the context and incorporated what they learned into the spatial decisions, form, materials, colours, and proportions of the Selcuk House. This approach reflects the belief that functional and meaningful architecture can only be achieved by understanding the context. The result is a building that seamlessly integrates with
its surroundings and becomes a part of its location. Rather than simply adhering to regulations, the building’s shape and all the decisions that create it draw inspiration from the local lifestyle that is manifested in the physicality of the town. The front courtyard, the flat roof, the balconies, and the garden that invites the natural vegetation in are all designed with the inspiration from the humble
structures in the surrounding and these elements reinforce the feeling of the Aegean way of living in the house.
Located on an urban plot in the Selçuk district of Izmir, Selçuk House is a valuable contribution to its context and an excellent example of how contemporary architecture can coexist harmoniously with the local.
Approach
Attention as Generosity
Dolmus, the architecture office
from Lucerne, embraces the belief
of French philosopher Simone Weil
that attention is the purest form of
generosity and Selçuk House is the
expression of this. The architects
took a neutral interest in the
environment and carefully studied
the surrounding area to inform their
spatial decisions, material selection,
and layout. With a commitment
to simplicity and the meticulous
use of local materials and know-
how the result is a structure that
seamlessly blends in and contrasts
with its environment, reflecting
the distinctive character of its
location while also featuring a
contemporary aesthetic.
Set-Up
Shaped by the Local Input
The modest structures that
make up the unique urban
texture of Aegean towns of
Turkey contain a valuable, yet
overlooked architectural
knowledge that produces a
distinctive aesthetic through a
pragmatic approach to building.
This knowledge is closely tied to
the local living and climate,
which provide essential
references for the design
process. Like the local
architecture it seeks to emulate,
Selcuk House’s massing is
designed to establish a strong
relationship with its context.
Layout
A Flow Between Spaces
The interior design of Selçuk House
is intended to promote a natural
flow throughout the space,
with circulation being considered
as an element that enhances the
space. Architectural solutions like
level differences and separate
passages for entering and
exiting rooms are utilized to
facilitate this flow, enabling
separation and connection as
needed. Spread across three
floors and accessed by a simple
spiral staircase, the house
features a straightforward
design that enhances clarity and
provides ease of spatial
understanding.
