Riva Mahi Matua: Whare Rīwha by Dilek Karaman

Riva Mahi Matua: Whare Rīwha by Dilek Karaman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Roto Whare me te Whakaaturanga Competition Category.

ParahiRoto Whare· 2026

Riva Mahi Matua: Whare Rīwha

by Dilek Karaman

Client: Dk Interior Architecture

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Roto Whare Category

5,881

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180354

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Riva Mahi Matua: Whare Rīwha

Ko Riva Villa he kāinga e toru ngā papa kua whakaritea huri noa i tētahi arawhata āwhiowhio whakairo e piki ake ana mā tētahi kāri o roto he rua-teitei te wāhi puare. Ko te wāhi puare poutū te here o te mahere, e whakahaere ana i te nekehanga me te tārua i ngā tirohanga papatahi. He kōpaki rākau haere tonu e whakapai ana i te tau o te rongo, i te wā e whakatau ana ngā puranga kōhatu monolithic i ngā mahi matua ki te taumaha kua whakaritea. Ko ngā taipitopito whakapaipai konganuku ngoto me te whakamārama papatahi kua whakahaeretia te kanapa e hanga ana i tētahi āhuatanga wairua rangimārie rawa tino pai e panoni ana mai i te māramatanga o te awatea marama ki ngā āhuatanga o te ahiahi tata.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Riva Mahi Matua: Whare Rīwha te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Riva Mahi Matua: Whare Rīwha he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Riva Mahi Matua: Whare Rīwha i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Riva Villa is a three level calm residence centered on a sculptural spiral staircase rising through a double height indoor garden atrium. The stair serves as both circulation and signature artwork while warm timber architecture ensures acoustic comfort and visual continuity. Natural materials act as structure not decoration timber defines rhythm stone volumes anchor key functions and subtle metal accents refine the palette.
Dimensions & Packaging: Total area approximately 1000 square meters. 3 floors organized as a gradient from public to private
Key spatial elements
Double height living core with indoor atrium garden
Signature ribbon spiral staircase as the primary vertical connector
Kitchen dining anchored by a monolithic stone island and sculptural lighting
Private suites with soft acoustic textiles layered illumination and tactile wall relief surfaces
Material performance moisture resistant timber assemblies long life stone surfaces energy efficient LED strategy and low emission specification principles.
Tags: quiet luxury interior, biophilic residence, sculptural staircase, ribbon spiral stair, double height atrium, indoor garden atrium, natural stone finishes, warm timber architecture, sustainable materials, gallery like home, luxury villa interior, Riva Istanbul villa
Production Technology: Executed with high craft and minimal visual noise, the ribbon stair is engineered on a CNC-cut substructure and finished with seamless joints for a single-surface read. Timber wall systems use sourced veneers on accessible subframes with acoustic backing. Stone elements are fabricated with vein matching, mitered corners, and shadow-gap detailing. Layered lighting combines concealed LEDs, micro downlights, and dimmable pendants, with low-VOC finishes for low glare and healthy indoor air.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was achieving iconic presence without visual noise a home that feels elevated and artful but never showy. Key difficulties included engineering a seamless ribbon stair with clean junctions and consistent curvature balancing the weight of stone monoliths with warm timber rhythm integrating the atrium planting without compromising maintenance lighting and humidity control and delivering a lighting system that remains discreet by day yet creates rich warm atmosphere at night.
Research: The project examines how a large scale residence can feel quiet breathable and materially honest through biophilic strategies centered on the atrium sustainable material selection focused on longevity and responsible sourcing and light as architecture using layered concealed sources to shape mood depth and comfort.
Inspiration: The project is inspired by coastal calm and fluid movement the ribbon geometry echoes shoreline curves and wind shaped forms while the atrium introduces a living seasonal dimension to the minimal palette. The overall approach follows biophilic quiet luxury softness tactility and breathable spatial composition that feels timeless rather than trend driven.
Project Duration: Riva Istanbul Turkiye designed in 2025
Operation Flow: Arrival frames the identity immediately drawing the visitor toward the stair and atrium where vertical movement becomes a slow curated experience rather than a functional transfer. Public life unfolds on the main level with living hosting and dining while upper floors transition into calm private suites. Sightlines are designed for controlled reveals art moments material transitions and the indoor tree acting as a living landmark that reorients users throughout the home.
Team Members: Dilek Karaman