Kaleici Courtyard Hotelshaff by Nilgun Kucukbicak

Kaleici Courtyard Hotelshaff by Nilgun Kucukbicak is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award an Eisen in Gaaschtfrëndlechkeet, Fräizäit, Reesen an Tourismus Design Competition Category.

EisenGaaschtfrëndlechkeet· 2026

Kaleici Courtyard Hotelshaff

by Nilgun Kucukbicak

Client: Motto Mimarlik

A' Design Award an Eisen Winner in Gaaschtfrëndlechkeet Category

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The Design

About Kaleici Courtyard Hotelshaff

De Kaleici Courtyard ass en Hotelshaff, deen niewent dem Hadrianstor zu Antalya an der Tierkei läit. Den Haff huet eng Fläch vu ronn 800 Quadratmeter an déngt als sozialen a klimatesche Raum. Béiegouverturen, eng modular Pergola vu ronn 150 Quadratmeter an eng zentral Waasseranlag vu ronn 40 Quadratmeter leeden d'Beweegung a suerge fir Schiet. Sechseckege Naturstenbuedem, wäiss Mineralputzflächen a schwaarz geschmide Metallgelänner erënneren un historesch Proportiounen. Planzenzonen a passiv Beschiedung mëlleren d'Klima an ënnerstëtzen d'Zesummekommen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Eisen

Kaleici Courtyard Hotelshaff ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Eisen, enger prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un gutt Designe vergi gëtt, déi déi professionell an industriell Ufuerderunge erfëllen, déi vu gutt gestaltene Kreatioune erwaart ginn. Eisen-Gewënner weisen déi grouss Fäegkeet, déi héich Spezialiséierung, dat Expertewëssen an d'kreativ Kapazitéit vun hire Schëpfer. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Kaleici Courtyard Hotelshaff eng héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Kreatioun ass, déi praktesch an innovativ ass. Dëst mam Eisen ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Industrie a huet kompetent technesch Eegeschaften, déi mat Know-how an Talent verbonne sinn. Kaleici Courtyard Hotelshaff gëtt fir seng Grëndlechkeet respektéiert a ass gestalt, d'Liewensqualitéit ze verbesseren an ze hëllefen, d'Welt zu enger besserer Plaz ze maachen.

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