Tarabya, Sarıyer

Standing within walking distance of the Tarabya shore, this building replaced a guesthouse that had stood empty for years, and was rebuilt while keeping the existing basement level. Proximity to the sea meant a high water table, so the basement was waterproofed as a fully tanked structure and a drainage line was run beneath the foundation. The reinforced concrete frame, seated on a raft slab, follows a regular grid that repeats the guest room module.

Nine of the twenty-six rooms were positioned to face the Bosphorus directly; in those rooms the ceiling height was raised and the window openings widened. Against the salty, humid air of the coastline, thermally broken aluminium profiles were used for the external joinery, and the façade was finished in natural stone and mineral-based render. In the wet areas a two-component liquid membrane was applied beneath the tiling. Separate ventilation shafts were planned for the hotel kitchen, the laundry and the plant rooms; fire detection, emergency lighting and the position of the escape stair were finalised during permitting in line with the fire brigade's assessment.

Because of the heavy traffic on the shore road, material deliveries were shifted to the night and early morning, and a temporary road occupation permit was obtained from the municipality for the crane. To avoid disrupting the summer season for neighbouring businesses, the noisy demolition and excavation work was completed in the winter months. During fit-out, furniture and textile installation advanced floor by floor; commissioning of the plant rooms, the mechanical tests and the occupancy permit process were all completed before the season opened, and the building was handed over ready to operate.