Kaleici Courtyard Hotelbinnenhôf by Nilgun Kucukbicak

Kaleici Courtyard Hotelbinnenhôf by Nilgun Kucukbicak is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Izer in Gastfrijheid, Rekreaasje, Reizgjen en Toerisme Ûntwerp Competition Category.

IzerGastfrijheid· 2026

Kaleici Courtyard Hotelbinnenhôf

by Nilgun Kucukbicak

Client: Motto Mimarlik

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Gastfrijheid Category

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The Design

About Kaleici Courtyard Hotelbinnenhôf

Kaleici Courtyard is in hotelbinnenhôf njonken de Hadrianuspoarte yn Antalya, Turkije. It binnenhôf beslacht sa'n 800 kante meter en tsjinnet as in sosjale en klimatyske romte. Bôge-iepeningen, in modulêre pergola fan sa'n 150 kante meter en in sintraal wetterelemint fan sa'n 40 kante meter liede de beweging en jouwe skaad. Seishoekige natuerstiennen flierren, wite minerale pleisterflakken en swarte smei-izeren balustraden roppe histoaryske proporsjes op. Beplantingssônes en passive skaadwurking temperje it klimaat en stypje it gearkommen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

Kaleici Courtyard Hotelbinnenhôf is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan Kaleici Courtyard Hotelbinnenhôf wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. Kaleici Courtyard Hotelbinnenhôf wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The Kaleici Courtyard Project reinterprets a historic hotel courtyard adjacent to Hadrian Gate, transforming it into a contemporary social and climatic hub. Arched rhythms, modular pergola, and organic water features reference the historical threshold, while hexagonal stone flooring, metal details, and minimalist interventions balance heritage with modern spatial continuity.
Dimensions & Packaging: The courtyard covers an estimated area of 800 square meters, with modular arched zones defining circulation and hierarchy. Pergola spans 150 square meters over main gathering areas. Water feature occupies approximately 40 square meters in the central axis. Height variations range from 3.0 m at pedestrian thresholds to 4.5 m under pergola. The courtyard is integrated with surrounding hotel blocks and heritage facades, maintaining visual connectivity with Hadrian Gate.
Tags: Historical Continuity, Courtyard Design, Hotel Interior, Pergola, Hexagonal Stone, Water Feature, Social Hub, Heritage Dialogue, Passive Cooling, Contemporary Intervention
Production Technology: The project features reinforced concrete and masonry structures for the courtyard and surrounding hotel areas, natural stone flooring with hexagonal modules, white mineral plaster surfaces, black forged metal railings, semi-permeable pergola systems, organic water features, integrated planting zones, custom linear and decorative lighting, passive shading strategies, and HVAC for surrounding indoor spaces. All metal elements fabricated with CNC cutting and precision welding; stonework aligned modularly to preserve historical rhythm.
Design Challenge: he main challenge was balancing historical authenticity with contemporary design. Maintaining visual continuity with Hadrian Gate while introducing modern materials and passive climate strategies required precise proportioning, modular detailing, and careful intervention to avoid visual mimicry.
Research: The project investigates how historical courtyard thresholds can be reinterpreted in contemporary hospitality architecture. By analyzing spatial hierarchy, light-shadow interplay, and material layering, it demonstrates a method to integrate historical reference, climatic performance, and social functionality.
Inspiration: Inspired by Hadrian Gate’s historical triple arch and threshold concept, the project examines transitions from public streets to private inner courtyards. The design abstracts historical proportions, light-shadow relations, and rhythmic stone patterns to create a contemporary courtyard experience.
Project Duration: Designed in Antalya, Turkey
Operation Flow: Visitors experience a controlled threshold from the street to the semi-private courtyard. Arched openings, pergola shadows, and textured flooring guide movement. Water feature and planting zones create visual and climatic layers, encouraging social interaction while referencing historical patterns.
Team Members: Nilgun Kucukbicak