ZEYTINLI HOUSE

Inspired by Mediterranean life, Zeytinli House by Office Istanbul Architects is situated in the countryside of Seferihisar, İzmir, in western Turkey. Golcuk Village sits atop the highest point of the hill, where rolling green hills intertwine, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards that have nurtured Teos wines for generations, shaping the very geomorphology of the region.

The harmonious relationship between the duplex stone structure and the ancillary living spaces—nestled in a courtyard long left to solitude—captivates visitors even before they step inside. Thus, Zeytinli House offers a distinctive interpretation of modern architecture, seamlessly blending tradition beyond the constraints of city and time. The courtyard and spaces, sheltered within stone walls that rise organically from the earth, almost dissolve into the village’s silhouette with their understated scale.

This historic duplex stone house, touching the vestiges of the past in this extraordinary landscape, beautifully embodies the ancient Anatolian lifestyle, featuring a barn below and living spaces above. The original walls were preserved, while the interior was thoughtfully reimagined to meet the demands of contemporary life. Spaces designed to nurture a calm and unhurried lifestyle were brought back to life within these enduring stone walls, which bear the marks of the old structures.

The boundary between interior and exterior dissolves through continuous transparency and textured surfaces throughout the building, allowing gentle daylight and the unique sounds of nature to softly permeate the spaces. Zeytinli House greets its visitors with a fresh spatial experience at every moment, inviting an endless journey without a beginning or an end.

At the heart of the design lies the courtyard—an essential transitional space between indoors and outdoors, bridging past and present. The reflection pool, spanning a broad horizontal plane within the courtyard, actively draws the sky’s shifting moods and the lush greenery into the heart of the house, offering users a uniquely immersive experience. The structure surprises with a shifting perception throughout the day; the stillness of all elements flows gently toward nature, capturing ‘that moment’ of pause. Here, bright sunlight, gentle breezes, birdsong, the touch of stone, and the scent of plants converge in a delicate, ephemeral harmony.