Terra Urla Hotellhagelandskap by Harun Kırlıoglu - Ahan Architecture

Terra Urla Hotellhagelandskap by Harun Kırlıoglu - Ahan Architecture is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award i Bronse in Landskapsplanlegging og hagedesign Competition Category.

BronseLandskapsdesign· 2026

Terra Urla Hotellhagelandskap

by Harun Kırlıoglu - Ahan Architecture

Client: AHAN Architecture

A' Design Award i Bronse Winner in Landskapsdesign Category

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Verified Award Winner
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The Design

About Terra Urla Hotellhagelandskap

Terra Urla er et hotellhagelandskap som ligger i Urla, Izmir. Designet forener eldgamle lokale byggetradisjoner med moderne bærekraft. Steiner hentet fra stedet settes sammen med tørrmuringsteknikker for å danne pustende overflater som støtter biologisk mangfold. Beplantningen er basert på endemisk flora, inkludert Olea europaea, Pistacia lentiscus og Laurus nobilis, med tørketålende aromatiske arter i de lavere sjiktene. Smart vanning og xeriscaping har som mål å oppnå vannbesparelser på femti prosent. En restaurant, et spa, sansehager, turstier og en utsiktsplattform mot vinmarken utgjør besøksruten.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award i Bronse

Terra Urla Hotellhagelandskap er vinner av A' Design Award i Bronse, en høyt prestisjefylt anerkjennelse som tildeles enestående design som utmerker seg ved kreativitet, oppfinnsomhet og skarpsindighet. Bronsevinnere er rikt dyktige og påfallende kreative gjenstander som bekrefter designernes store erfaring, fantasi og ressurssterkhet. Terra Urla Hotellhagelandskap forventes å være en høyt ansett, beundret og verdsatt gjenstand som er bemerkelsesverdig profesjonell og nyskapende. Dette designet, som har vunnet A' Design Award i Bronse, rommer beste praksis innen kunst, vitenskap, design og teknologi og utmerker seg ved sin omtanke for detaljer. Terra Urla Hotellhagelandskap tilfredsstiller behov på en strålende måte, berører ønsker, sjarmerer følelser og vekker nysgjerrighet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Designed by Ahan, The Key Urla Hotel landscape is a self sustaining ecosystem blending ancient essence with sustainability. Its uniqueness lies in the integration of traditional dry-stack techniques with leed standards. utilizing indigenous flora and smart irrigation, it maximizes water efficiency. The design’s strength is its ecological integrity; by using local materials, it creates a refined environment that preserves heritage for future generations.
Dimensions & Packaging: The planting strategy by Ahan architecture presents an ecosystem based on urlas flora. Technically, the project centers ancient species such as Olea europaea, Pistacia lentiscus, and Laurus nobilis. By using drought-tolerant aromatics in lower layers, it targets 50% water savings via smart irrigation. ın metric-ıso standards, full compliance with leed criteria is achieved through local material use and habitat restoration, technically optimizing the ecological cycle.
Tags: Sustainability, Ancient Techniques, Endemic Flora, Leed Certification, Water Conservation, Dry-Stack Stonework, Regenerative Design
Production Technology: In this project by Ahan architecture, construction is based on the principle of "locality." By processing site-sourced stones with traditional dry-stack methods, the firm designed breathable surfaces that support biodiversity. Industrial materials were limited by opting for regional natural stones and micro-aggregate finishes. This methodology ensures that the project exhibits not only aesthetic appeal but also a structural integrity strictly compliant with leed criteria.
Design Challenge: For Ahan architecture, the primary challenge was technically reconciling ancient construction techniques with modern leed sustainability criteria. Internal factors involved establishing an aesthetic language that met social expectations while preserving urla’s historical fabric. External factors included navigating rigid local regulations and limited access to specialized artisanal knowledge. These hurdles were overcome by hybridizing technology with local craftsmanship, ensuring design authenticity was preserved within the constraints of production possibilities.
Research: Ahan architecture conducted qualitative research on local textures and leed v4.1 water efficiency & sustainable sites criteria. The objective was to merge ancient techniques with integrated design parameters. Using site analysis methodology, flora and edaphic data were collected. Experiments on endemic plants proved that dry-stack techniques increased biodiversity by 30% and reduced potable water demand by over 50%. These insights offer regenerative models for the industry and design field.
Inspiration: Ahan Architecture draws inspiration from the dialogue between Urla’s history and ecological resilience. The goal was to move from decorative landscaping toward a functional ecosystem. By bridging traditional dry-stack techniques with modern standards, the firm focuses on "genius loci". Utilizing xeriscaping and endemic flora ensures minimal water consumption. Through strategic water management, the practice translates the region's ancient legacy into a sustainable, contemporary sanctuary.
Project Duration: The project started in Urla/ızmir in March 2022 and was completed in October 2025.
Operation Flow: The experience flow by Ahan architecture transforms the guest into an active part of the site. One starts at the restaurant, blending with the landscape via local flavors, then moves to the spa for the serenity of water and stone. Positioned as the heart of the experience, sensory gardens offer direct contact with flora to calm the mind, while walking paths turn footsteps into discovery. Yoga and picnic areas provide spiritual balance, and the journey culminates at the vineyard observation deck with a view of Urla heritage.
Team Members: Architect: Han Tümertekin
Lighting designer: Emre Unlü
Landscape Architect: Harun Kırlıoğlu