Bronze A' Design Award Winner 2025
Ibrahim Halil TUGBAY's Reconstruction Project Conversion from Consulate to Villa presents a masterful exploration of contemporary residential architecture where the tectonic dialogue between orthogonal stone masses and rhythmic perforated brick screens establishes a sophisticated compositional armature rooted in asymmetrical balance and layered spatial zones, the design anchors itself through a robust horizontal plinth constructed from cream-colored coursed stone masonry suggesting travertine or limestone whose large-format blocks convey permanence and earthbound stability, their joints precise and minimal creating a continuous base plane from which the upper register emerges as a study in contrasting materiality and pattern, the dominant element occupying roughly two-thirds of the facade consists of a terra-cotta red-orange brick lattice screen system employing square apertures in a strict grid reminiscent of mashrabiya traditions yet executed with crisp modernist precision, this perforated membrane simultaneously conceals and reveals interior volumes while modulating light penetration and visual privacy, the chromatic palette demonstrates sophisticated restraint combining warm burnt sienna and terracotta hues in the brick with cool neutral stone tones and charcoal-gray metal fenestration frames establishing complementary temperature relationships, glazing surfaces appear as deep recessed voids within the stone base their transparency contrasting the opacity and texture of surrounding materials, vertical black cylindrical elements rising from the terrace level introduce sculptural punctuation suggesting chimneys or ventilation stacks their sleek industrial finish providing material counterpoint to the earthen palette, spatial construction employs overlapping planes and pronounced depth articulation moving from manicured foreground hedgerows through the terrace zone furnished with contemporary outdoor seating and closed umbrellas toward the layered facade planes and finally to verdant background vegetation, lighting conditions suggest late afternoon with warm directional illumination raking across surfaces from approximately forty-five degrees revealing texture and casting subtle attached shadows that enhance dimensional reading, the composition adheres to loose rule-of-thirds organization with the primary brick screen occupying the upper two-thirds while the stone base and terrace occupy the lower third, horizontal banding created by material transitions reinforces stability while the vertical rhythm of the lattice openings introduces dynamic visual interest, edge treatment varies strategically with hard crisp edges defining material boundaries and apertures while softer atmospheric transitions occur between architectural elements and natural surroundings, the overall atmospheric resonance projects refined domestic luxury balanced with contextual sensitivity, the work engages contemporary architectural discourse around adaptive reuse, material authenticity, climatic responsiveness through passive solar strategies, the mediation between public and private realms, and the synthesis of regional craft traditions with modernist formal vocabularies, textural variety animates the composition from the implied smoothness of stone facing to the tactile modularity of brickwork to the reflective coolness of glass to the organic irregularity of vegetation, the design invites contemplation of threshold conditions, the architectural promenade from landscape through terrace into sheltered interior, and the phenomenological experience of filtered light, shadow, and material presence throughout diurnal cycles.
The consulate turned villa conversion project is an innovative design that combines architectural aesthetics and functionality. The project aims to transform the building into modern living spaces while preserving its original character. Among the features of this design, sustainable material use and energy efficiency are at the forefront. Innovations such as integrating open spaces, maximum use of natural light, and optimizing indoor flow distinguish this project from others.