Gold Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design · 2020
Cunda Despot House Hotel
- A' Design Award 2020 Gold Winner in Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: KHG Architecture
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 38,810
- Verification code 873558C775 · Verify this award
About Cunda Despot House Hotel
Cunda Despot House is a restored historical building in Ayvalik, Turkey, brought back into use as a hotel. The main building and its cistern were repaired with respect for the original materials and construction techniques. Later additions were removed, and old paint and plaster were cleaned. Wooden floors, doors, windows and the staircase were rebuilt in accordance with the originals, and the foundation and structural system were reinforced. The main building holds twenty rooms, while a restaurant, a spa and pools support the hotel function.
This distinguished work of architectural restoration, recognized with a Golden A' Design Award in Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design, exemplifies the thoughtful rehabilitation of vernacular Mediterranean building traditions for contemporary hospitality purposes. The facade composition demonstrates sophisticated understanding of regional architectural vocabularies, combining neoclassical organizational principles with indigenous construction techniques that honor the structure's historical character while accommodating modern programmatic requirements. The designer's approach reveals itself through careful material choices: the retention and celebration of original rubble stone walls, their varied textures of irregular limestone blocks and brick infill courses creating a palimpsest of building history, while newly introduced elements such as the pristine white cornices and window surrounds articulate formal geometries without overwhelming the authentic patina of age. The lighting design achieves particular success in its dual function of practical illumination and atmospheric creation, with carefully positioned uplights transforming utilitarian wall surfaces into dramatic sculptural fields where every stone projects its own shadow narrative. The proportional system governing window placement, the careful alignment of upper and lower apertures, and the crowning balustrade terrace with its softening screen of vegetation all contribute to a sense of measured elegance appropriate to both the building's heritage and its new cultural function. The wrought-iron elements throughout, from the elaborate entrance grilles to the graceful stair balustrades, speak to craft traditions that connect this structure to broader Mediterranean metalworking heritage. Visitors might contemplate how architectural preservation serves not merely to maintain physical structures but to sustain cultural memory and continuity of place, inviting reflection on the ongoing dialogue between past and present that defines meaningful heritage stewardship.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Despot House has been taken from its ruins and it has taken its place in the world as part of 'protection and historical continuity' within the scope of a design and application work without damaging the original texture of the historical building.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Despot House, which has hosted many functions until today, has been restored and brought to the present day with a hotel function. The existing main building and the Cistern structure serving it were re-functioned as a hotel by respecting the original materials and construction technique. Additional functions such as restaurants, spa baths and horizon pools supporting the existing structures are also considered within the building complex.
In order for the users to benefit from the services easily, a design aiming to keep the inter-connections of the functions strong is aimed.
The main building has 6 rooms on the basement, 7 rooms on the ground floor, 2 sofas and 2 terraces, and 7 rooms and a terrace on the first floor. The floors of the building are connected by a stylish wooden staircase.
The building elements that are available in the design of the 6 rooms in the basement floor and that can be used, have been cleaned and revealed. An integrated design has been created with contemporary materials. The area facing the sea front, previously used as a water tank, was reorganized and transformed into a spa room. Thus, some rooms are privatized with different qualities.
There are 7 rooms on the ground floor, two of which are suites. The king suite room on the sea front has a terrace opening to the view.
On the first floor, there are a total of 7 rooms, three of which are suites.
The restaurant structure with a capacity of approximately 150 people is designed for hotel users and non-hotel use. A lodge with a fireplace in the concept of the restaurant, indoor and outdoor eating and drinking areas with a view of the sea, and a bar section are organized. The bar in the restaurant also serves the pool users in the garden.
In the additional building complex planned to support the hotel function; there are Roman baths, massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, shock and adventure showers. The fitness section with sports equipment is also designed in this complex. In this way, user comfort is aimed by providing the connection between the spaces. - Tags
- Cunda, Ayvalik, Despot House, Traditional House, Hotel, Spa, Restaurant, Restoration, Renovation.
- Production Technology
- •Unauthentic attachments have been removed, herbaceous plants have been cleaned. All of the paints and plasters on the walls have been also cleaned by a scraper.
•Wooden floors have been completely renewed with impregnated wooden floors, rafter and purlines.
•The wooden floor coverings, which were destroyed as a result of the fire and destruction, were renewed with impregnated wooden beams and the floors were created. The wooden ladder, whose spine and steps were partially destroyed, was reconstructed in accordance with the original. The foundation of the building was reinforced by supporting curtains, jacketing was done. Roof construction and building elements were completely renewed.
•The first two floors of the building are made of garlic stone and the third floor is made of blend brick. Window and door jambs, floor moldings, garlic stones and columns were cleaned by scraper.
•The deformed building elements were renewed in accordance with the original. The destroyed wooden doors, windows and shutters were rebuilt from solid wood in accordance with the original.
•Deformed and rusted window and terrace railings were rebuilt according to the original. The wrought irons that were usable were cleaned and repaired.
•The columns carrying the terraces on the entrance and the sea front were deformed by exposure to external factors and bad weather conditions. These columns were reconstructed according to the original by using threshing brick.
•In line with the needs of the new function, the shafts of mechanical, electrical, ventilation, fire and sanitary installation were resolved in the installation galleries between the floors.
•In order not to disturb the continuity of the details and engravings on the ceilings, the wet spaces in the rooms were manufactured with a system consisting of steel and wooden structure.
•Applications for strengthening the structural system of the building were made by supporting with tie and tension rods. It was aimed to carry out a project that does not harm the originality and physical integrity of the building. - Design Challenge
- The historical building is in an important location in the region. When the reconstruction started, it was aroused excitement and curiosity by the people of the region because it was abandoned for many years. This is an important responsibility for us. The bearing system of the building, the stairs, the walls are in a very bad condition, and it has required careful work. Difficulty was reached in transportation between floors because of the stairs were destroyed. The ceiling of the ground floor was destroyed. During the construction phase, the structural system was suspended and the structural system was rebuilt. Therefore, the construction site phase is a very difficult process.
- Project Duration
- 2018-2019 - Cunda Island,Ayvalik/Turkey
- Research
- When we started the project, an important historical archive research was made. because an intervention that would damage this important historical structure would be to damage its precious history. we would never want that. For every detail of the building, we reached as old photos as possible, historical information, and even old Turkish movies taken in the building. We couldn't have missed any detail.
- Inspiration
- This building has hosted major events in the past. The story of the house was the inspiration for us. It made us excited to bring this valuable structure, which has remained idle for many years, back to life.
Colors of Cunda Despot House Hotel
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Historical Building Restoration and Adaptive Reuse Architecture
We specialize in breathing new life into historical structures through meticulous restoration and innovative adaptive reuse. With three decades of architectural expertise, we transform abandoned heritage buildings into vibrant hotels, cultural spaces, and commercial properties while preserving…
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