GEO_ID Neighboring the famous Türkbükü Bay, Hebil Bay is a relatively quiet, primarily residential area where lush greenery meets crystal-clear waters. Whitewashed villas scattered across the hillsides, a maquis landscape dotted with olive trees, and stunning views characterize this coastal strip. The design process began with a deep appreciation for the existing values and the… View Article
GEO_ID
Neighboring the famous Türkbükü Bay, Hebil Bay is a relatively quiet, primarily residential area where lush greenery meets crystal-clear waters. Whitewashed villas scattered across the hillsides, a maquis landscape dotted with olive trees, and stunning views characterize this coastal strip. The design process began with a deep appreciation for the existing values and the spirit of the place. One of GEOMIM’s primary goals was to design a hotel that not only emphasizes its connection to the bay but also enhances visitors’ experience of it. To achieve this, the villa settlements are positioned approximately thirty meters behind the building setback line, preserving wide communal spaces for pool and beach use (the entire complex occupies 5,700 sqm of a 10,000 sqm construction area). Maximizing these shared areas was essential, as future phases of the project will also share the same beach and access the seaside through pedestrian pathways planned within the master layout.
Every element of the resort experience—the arrival, lounge, pool, beach, restaurant, fitness, and spa—is clustered either near the entrance or by the seaside, keeping the villa zone intimate and tranquil. Envisioned as a serene Aegean village, guests are invited to enjoy a new kind of summer holiday that will redefine CAJA for years to come.
The villas offer 1+1, 2+1, and 3+1 layouts, inspired by the style of houses popular in Bodrum during the 1980s. The design respects the scale and monolithic character of the local urban identity, resulting in a collection of buildings harmoniously integrated with nature and featuring semi-open spatial relationships. Outdoor living is encouraged in every unit on both ground and first floors, with wooden canopies providing shade.
While drone images may suggest the project consists of independent blocks, each villa is connected to a central underground podium housing technical rooms, parking, staff areas, and service connections, ensuring efficient hotel operation. Villa units are spatially linked to these service networks but maintain ultimate guest privacy by keeping service flows separate from living areas. The spatial organization divides living and service spaces with a transparent circulation volume acting as a buffer, featuring a linear staircase illuminated by skylights and windows. Beneath the stairs on the ground floor lies an open-plan kitchen, well connected to both living and service zones.
Every room in the CAJA villas offers outdoor access. Ground-floor spaces flow seamlessly into private gardens, while large windows on the first floor open directly onto terraces framing breathtaking bay views.
For long-term use, the interior design focuses on creating a spacious and serene atmosphere using sustainable, low-maintenance surfaces. Bold colors or objects that might overwhelm guests over time are avoided. Designed by GEO_ID, the interiors feature a simple palette of black, white, and beige to evoke calmness. White stucco cladding continues indoors, gently blurring the boundaries between interior spaces and shaded patios—a perfect fit for summer living rituals.
Most furnishings are black, contrasting with white walls and ceilings, while beige ceramic surfaces add warmth and balance. Light beige textiles brighten the interiors. Custom-designed frames decorate the walls as playful abstractions of the project’s geometric language. Black framing lines enhance the luxurious ambiance.
Open kitchens serve as dynamic social hubs, their materials supporting the buffer zone concept and aligning with spatial planning. The transition from ceramic flooring to wood veneer on stairs corresponds with the skylight above. This minimalist contrast continues in the bedrooms, where large pillow-like headboards and custom-designed lighting fixtures by GEO_ID hang elegantly above the beds.
Lighting design avoids uniform brightness, instead using pendants and spotlights arranged according to guests’ daily routines. GEO_ID also styled each villa individually, incorporating locally sourced objects to give each unit subtle distinctive accents.
Visitors enter the 10,000 sqm property under a welcoming canopy. The reception hall, designed as a lounge to reflect the boutique nature of the hotel, features a chic study table and comfortable seating, encouraging relaxed social encounters. Organic patterns inspired by Bodrum’s textures dominate the common spaces, appearing variably on the fitness and reception ceilings, spa walls, and restaurant floors—each with different materials and scales.
The compact fitness center employs a bright color palette and mirrored patterned ceilings to create a spacious feel oriented toward the garden. The spa, offering massage, sauna, and steam facilities, uses natural stones for holistic treatments. Travertine walls feature intricate patterns paired with lacquer finishes, while resting areas maintain clean black-and-white contrasts.
Inspired by the Aegean outdoor lifestyle, the restaurant offers cozy outdoor qualities nestled in nature. Although it can be enclosed against weather when needed, there are no rigid boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas. Drawing from the local cultural context, the design team created a simple yet elegant language to integrate the space with nature. Mosaic floors continue seamlessly from indoors to outdoors, and mirrored surfaces in patterned walls and ceilings reflect the sea view and guests.
Central to the landscape design was the restoration and enhancement of existing natural conditions. Mediterranean themes prevail with olive and palm trees, ivy walls and ground covers, and native plants. Modest garden settings reminiscent of local villages foster intimacy and neighborly connections when desired. A lighting strategy minimizing light pollution was implemented, with living spaces creating a soft, dim atmosphere rather than brightly lit buildings.
Building exteriors are optimized for light transmission, solar gain control, and heat retention. Customized white stucco includes small rocks that cast micro-shadows to reduce solar gain. Large wooden canopies provide shade, and windows are recessed as part of climate control integrated into the façade design. Client-requested green roofs improve views for hillside villas and contribute to sustainability goals. Local stone from Bodrum is used in perimeter walls. Other energy-efficient strategies include seawater use throughout the hotel, optimal building orientation, automatically controlled natural ventilation, and rainwater harvesting for irrigation.