Your architectural practice reflects a strong relationship with place. When starting a project, how do the geography, climate, and local materials of the site influence your design decisions?
The location of a building, the data it receives from its surroundings, and how it will continue its life in relation to the built environment after construction are particularly important, especially in urban or rural areas with a distinct character. Designing in harmony with the existing context while maintaining a contemporary architectural language was something I always tried to achieve in my architectural work during my years in private practice. Architectural elements such as the window openings, façade language, locally used materials, and roof forms found in village houses—perhaps built without architects but shaped in accordance with environmental conditions—are among the primary factors influencing design decisions.
In your projects, natural stone appears not only as a cladding material but also as one of the fundamental elements that defines the character of a space. In your opinion, what is the most important quality that makes natural stone timeless?
Natural stone is one of the most natural and accessible building materials available to us, having been widely used for shelter since the earliest humans. Stone is a long-lasting material. Among the remnants of ancient buildings that have survived to the present day as historical monuments, the most durable parts are those made of natural stone. In addition, the use of stone on façades provides a strong visual continuity with the natural environment.
Türkiye has an exceptionally rich diversity of natural stones. How do you evaluate the advantages and potential that Turkish natural stones offer for architectural projects?
The fact that each piece of natural stone has its own unique texture contributes to the originality of a project. Naturally, the diversity of natural stones in our country is also reflected in architectural diversity through their accessibility. I believe it is a privilege to practice architecture in such a rich geography.
In projects such as Barbaros House, we see that the use of local stone plays a prominent role. What are the determining criteria for you when selecting natural stone? How influential are factors such as the material’s texture, color, aging process, and contextual compatibility?
In the buildings I designed, my primary criteria for selecting stone were, first of all, that it should be easily accessible and that it should have a character compatible with the built environment surrounding the building. Natural stone is a material that ages beautifully. When it is used on façades, its visual and textural harmony with the other materials included in the design also becomes a criterion in the selection of both the stone and the masonry.
Today, sustainability is one of the most important topics in architecture. In your opinion, how does natural stone’s long lifespan, local availability, and natural character shape its role in contemporary architecture?
When sustainability is considered in terms of permanence, natural stone is one of the most sustainable materials available. On the other hand, however, the impact of stone quarries on nature remains open to debate. There are successful examples of projects aimed at restoring quarry sites to nature after quarrying activities have ended. It is important that these restoration efforts are properly monitored and implemented. At the same time, another criterion for sustainability is whether the stone selected for an architectural project can be sourced from the surrounding region. It is difficult to describe the use of natural stone transported over long distances or imported from other countries as sustainable. Therefore, the context in which the term is used is important. Nevertheless, natural stone is a material that can last for centuries, and when used as a local material, it is undoubtedly one of the most sustainable building materials available.
FT House by Onurcan Çakır
FT House by Onurcan Çakır
FT House by Onurcan Çakır
FT House by Onurcan Çakır
