View master: a Turkish house in Çeşme perfectly frames its sea vistas

Perched on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea and the Greek islands beyond, this house on Turkey’s Çeşme peninsula is the brainchild of Selim Erdil; the Izmir-based architect not only designed the contemporary concrete home, but his construction company also acquired the land, and developed and built the scheme.

The house, which is currently on the market, was conceived as a fully equipped home. It could easily function as a primary family residence, but, Erdil explains, given that it’s built in the resort town of Çeşme, it will likely be used as a summer home.

Conceptually, Erdil was keen to keep things simple and functional, and the design fairly minimal. ‘Five main materials are used,’ he says. ‘Concrete, steel, stone, wood and glass.’ Concrete and wood dominate the exterior, which is complemented by marble and oak flooring inside. Large glazed openings frame views of the surrounding countryside in the generous home, which includes living spaces, five bedrooms, five bathrooms and two kitchen areas.

‘The main ambition was to make as much use of the land as possible while creating a variety of wide and open spaces that can be used depending on the wind and weather conditions,’ continues the architect. To that end, there are a variety of open spaces and windows, as well as an impressive 8m-long cantilever – the house’s centrepiece, designed to focus on the sea views like a periscope – over the garden. Folding and sliding timber shutter systems protect the large glazed areas from overexposure to sun and unwelcome gazes. A 22m lap pool flanked by Corten planters completes the external areas, semi-sunken into the ground to make the most of the site’s natural slope.

The considerate landscaping works in harmony with the local climate and flora, including olive, mastic and cypress trees. Irrigation is achieved through an 80 metric ton cistern that collects rainwater all year round.