Terraced Horizon ابتدائی کارکرد: ویلا by Dilek Karaman

Terraced Horizon ابتدائی کارکرد: ویلا by Dilek Karaman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award برنجی انعام in آرکیٹیکچر، بلڈنگ ءِ اسٹرکچر ڈیزائن Competition Category.

برنجآرکیٹیکچر· 2026

Terraced Horizon ابتدائی کارکرد: ویلا

by Dilek Karaman

Client: Dk Interior Architecture

A' Design Award برنجی انعام Winner in آرکیٹیکچر Category

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The Design

About Terraced Horizon ابتدائی کارکرد: ویلا

کتابی متن: ٹیرسڈ ہورائزن ویلا یک دورِ حاضرہ ءِ کوہ ءِ دامان ءِ رہائشی جاگہ اِنت کہ آ ءِ درگت ءَ پُر بُنوں ءِ ڈھلانی سرا یک تسلسل ءِ چوش ءَ سوچ کنگ بوتگ۔ افقی ٹیرسانی پرت درگت ءِ زمین ءِ گوں قدم بہ قدم مان کنانت، بُنی منزلاں مان جوڑ کنانت او اُپری حجماں ژرف کینٹیلیوراں ءِ ذریعہ بیر کنانت۔ پینوریمک لو ای شیشہ او واضح افقی سایگ ءِ لکیراں روچ ءِ روشنائی ءَ گہراں ادرونا آرنت او منظراں ودی کنانت، مان ادرونی زندگی او سرزمین ءِ درمیان یک مسلسل تعلق ءَ زوراور کنانت۔ تیز ٹوپوگرافی ءَ رہ بہ زندگی ءِ پلیٹ فارمانی او درگتی افقانی یک آرام دار سلسلہ ءِ چوش ءَ نوں سرجم کنگ بوتگ، جتاں سایگ دار کِنارگ او ٹیرساں سبان ءِ درگت ءَ آرام ءِ حمایت کنانت۔

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award برنجی انعام

Terraced Horizon ابتدائی کارکرد: ویلا A' Design Award برنجی انعام ءِ ورگ آ انت، باز معزز اعتراف کہ تخلیقی صلاحیت، اختراع ءُ ذہانت گوں ممتاز بہترین ڈیزائناں دیگ بیت۔ برنج ءِ ورگ آ بھرپور مہارت ءِ ءُ نمایاں ڈولا تخلیقی شاہکار انت، کہ وتی ڈیزائنراں ءِ وسیع تجربہ، تخیل ءُ ہوشیاری ءِ تصدیق کننت۔ Terraced Horizon ابتدائی کارکرد: ویلا چہ امید کنگ بیت کہ آ یک باز قدر کنگ بوتگیں، ساراہگ بوتگیں ءُ پیارکنگ بوتگیں چیز بیت، قابل ذکر حد ءَ پیشہ ورانہ ءُ جدت ءِ۔ ای ڈیزائن کہ A' Design Award برنجی انعام ءَ برتگ، فن، سائنس، ڈیزائن ءُ ٹیکنالوجی ءِ بہترین طریقہ شامل کنت ءُ ہورد تفصیلاں ءَ توجہ دیگ ءِ سببا شاندار انت۔ Terraced Horizon ابتدائی کارکرد: ویلا ضرورتاں جوانیں ڈولا پورا کنت، خواہشاں ءَ ہنچیت، جذباں ءَ موہنت ءُ تجسس کشنت۔

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Terraced Horizon is conceived as a series of horizontal platforms integrated into a sloping forested terrain. Lower levels are embedded into the ground, while upper volumes extend outward through deep cantilevers toward the landscape. Large glazed facades and pronounced horizontal roof lines create a layered architectural identity that strengthens the visual and spatial connection between interior living spaces and the surrounding nature.
Dimensions & Packaging: The villa has an estimated total construction area of approximately 1200 to 1500 square meters organized across three main spatial layers. Lower level garage technical rooms and service spaces embedded into the terrain. Main level open living areas kitchen dining and outdoor terraces
Terraced Horizon has an estimated gross built area of 1200 to 1500 square meters, arranged in three layers. The lower level includes the garage, technical rooms, and service spaces embedded into the slope. The main level contains open plan living, kitchen, dining, and outdoor terraces. The upper level houses bedrooms, private suites, and panoramic balconies. The structure combines reinforced concrete retaining walls with steel supported cantilever slabs. The envelope uses high performance low e glazing, natural stone cladding, and composite panels. Passive comfort is supported by deep overhangs, shaded terraces, and cross ventilation.
Tags: Hillside villa, terraced architecture, luxury residence, cantilevered house, layered design, landscape integrated architecture, panoramic villa, contemporary concrete house, Istanbul architecture.
Production Technology: The villa uses a hybrid concrete and steel structural system. Reinforced concrete cores and retaining walls anchor the building to the sloped site, while steel beams and cantilevered slabs extend upper volumes over the landscape. Large format low e glazing with deep horizontal frames provides passive shading. Finishes combine natural stone, exposed architectural concrete, and wood textured composites. Recessed LED lines define walls, stair edges, and landscape at night.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was to achieve a sense of architectural lightness while working with heavy structural systems required by the sloping site Large cantilevers had to be structurally efficient without dominating the visual expression. Another key challenge was preserving uninterrupted views while ensuring solar protection and privacy This was addressed through deep horizontal frames recessed glazing and a layered facade strategy. The final design creates a balance between landscape structure and living space transforming a steep hillside into an inhabitable architectural terrain.
Research: The project investigates how contemporary residential architecture can integrate with steep topography while maintaining spatial openness and visual continuity. Research focused on structural strategies for large cantilevers daylight penetration in terraced buildings and environmental benefits of layered shading. Material studies explored the balance between heavy grounded surfaces and transparent lightweight facades Climatic research prioritized passive cooling through shading natural ventilation and thermal mass.
Inspiration: The project is inspired by the natural stratification of landforms and the gradual shaping of hillsides over time. Drawing from the logic of terraces and natural plateaus, the architecture translates these principles into a contemporary residential language. Strong horizontal lines reflect the stability of the terrain and the rhythm of the surrounding forest, allowing the villa to read as a constructed landscape rather than an object placed upon it.
Project Duration: Designed and developed between 2024 and 2025, the project is located on a forested hillside site in Istanbul, Turkiye.
Operation Flow: Arrival occurs at the uppermost level through a landscaped approach. From this point, the house unfolds downward through a sequence of terraces and internal connections. Circulation is guided horizontally along panoramic facades, enabling continuous engagement with the landscape. Large sliding openings allow interior spaces to expand seamlessly into outdoor terraces. Vehicle access and garage functions are discreetly located at the lower level, separating service circulation from the main residential experience.
Team Members: Dilek Karaman