GKE HOUSE

Ali Can Helvacıoğlu

The GKE House, designed by Ali Can Helvacıoğlu, occupies an urban site characterized by suburban plot density, yet its design distinctly departs from conventional urban typologies. The primary intent of the design is to create a contemporary structure that draws inspiration from traditional architectural forms, encapsulated within a stone shell that envelops and unites the functional spaces beneath it.

The three-story building is composed of two interlocking stone volumes, each crowned with gable roofs. The first volume contains a living room with a gallery on the ground floor and a dedicated workspace on the first floor. The second volume houses a kitchen and a secondary room at ground level, with a master bedroom on the upper floor, set back to create a generous terrace. This composition not only defines functional zones but also fosters a dynamic spatial relationship between the interior and exterior environments.

A key feature of the design is the transparent façade, which dissolves the boundary between the indoor spaces and the surrounding garden, offering an uninterrupted flow of natural light and fostering a seamless connection with nature.

The building is strategically placed at the rear edge of the plot, optimizing the garden area and creating a new visual axis through careful landscape design and vegetation. This positioning enhances the privacy of the occupants while offering a heightened sense of seclusion from neighboring structures.

The stone-clad exterior, combined with a glass curtain wall, ensures low maintenance while establishing the building’s formal, sculptural presence. The structure is oriented along an east-west axis, with a large opening on the western façade. To regulate solar exposure, vertical wooden sunbreakers are incorporated into the design, providing both functional solar control and a textural contrast to the smooth stone surface.