Riva Primary Function: Villa by Dilek Karaman

Riva Primary Function: Villa by Dilek Karaman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze in Igishushanyo cy'Imbere y'Inyubako Competition Category.

BuronzeImbere y'Inyubako· 2026

Riva Primary Function: Villa

by Dilek Karaman

Client: Dk Interior Architecture

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze Winner in Imbere y'Inyubako Category

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Colors

The Design

About Riva Primary Function: Villa

Book Text: Riva Villa ni inzu y' inzego eshatu yubatswe ikikije urwego rw'ingazi ruzunguruka nk'igishushanyo mbonera ruzamuka rucamo ubusitani bwo mu nsi bufite uburebure bubiri. Uwo mwanya udakuruye utegereza igishushanyo mbonera, ukayobora ukugenda kandi ugategura ibitekerezo byigana amashusho. Igikonoshwa cy'ibiti gikomeza gituma ubuzima buba bwiza mu byerekeye amajwi, mu gihe imibumbe y'amabuye adacitse ishinga imikorere y'ingenzi ku buremere buringaniye. Ibisobanuro bito by'icyuma hamwe n'urumuri rwatunganyijwe rutabangamira amaso rukorwa mu nzego bituma habaho ikirere gitekanye cy'ubunani buhanitse gihora gihinduka kuva ku murwa uciriritse w'akanya k'umunsi kugera ku bishushanyo by'igicuku byegeranye.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze

Riva Primary Function: Villa ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo by'indashyikirwa birangwa no guhanga, ubwenge n'ubushishozi. Abegukanye Buronze ni ibihangano bifite ubuhanga bwinshi kandi bihanga cyane, bishimangira uburambe, ubwenge n'ubushobozi bw'ababihanze. Riva Primary Function: Villa biteganyijwe ko izaba ikintu cyubahwa, gishimwa kandi gikundwa, gifite ubunyamwuga n'udushya. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Buronze gikoresha uburyo bwiza mu buhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga kandi kirarenze mu gutaha ku tuntu duto. Riva Primary Function: Villa ishimisha ibyo dukeneye, ikora ku byifuzo byacu, itwara amarangamutima yacu kandi ikurura amatsiko yacu.

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