burcu karahan
award finalist
architecture competition riyadh villas @ YAC
Jury
Sou Fujimoto, Ben van Berkel, Benedetta Tagliabue
open glass facades within a private area provide light-flooded spaces. due to the connection via patios and layered structure, each individual space increases and forms an open overall volume. inside becomes outside, outside becomes inside. greenery in the patios invites nature indoors. the intelligent division through walls and atriums create completely private areas, e.g. for women and children, men or guests. these oases in varying degrees of privacy make the life of an extended family comfortable. each layer is connected by staircases and through rooms and patios. due to the formal enlargement of the structure, each area has sufficient space. half of the total area is covered with green and water. whole building area is covered with high walls which creates security and privacy. an atrium with water is the entrance place of the residents and guests. upside down ziggurat carves the earth. the large canopy with its curved shape is not only a shade provider but also a chimney which is responsible for the air circulation. independent energy can also be generated by solar panels on the roof. the roof takes the form of the topography and blends into its surroundings.