KLEE Sapanca House By the | work – A Contemporary Retreat Blending Nature, Privacy & Architectural Harmony

Located at the gateway of Bağdat Street in Sapanca, Türkiye, KLEE Sapanca House by the | work is a thoughtfully designed accommodation complex that redefines short-term living through contemporary architecture, landscape integration, and a sensitive approach to the region’s natural environment. The 350 m² project, completed in 2025, consists of six independent units planned in two phases, each carefully positioned to harmonize with Sapanca’s unique character and scenic lake basin.

A Prime Location Shaped by Nature & Urban Growth

Bağdat Street, situated within the Sapanca Lake basin, has evolved into a vibrant regional artery. Known for its detached residential fabric, lush landscapes, generous street widths, and growing commercial life, the area demonstrates balanced coexistence between nature and urban amenities. The project strengthens this identity by embracing the environment and contributing to the area's hospitality infrastructure.

Function-Driven Design for Modern Accommodation

Designed to meet the rising demand for short-term stays, KLEE Sapanca House is conceived as a permanent architectural development of six separate residential units. Each building is crafted with a unique personality yet forms part of a coherent whole, reflecting an architectural rhythm that responds to the needs of travelers seeking tranquility, comfort, and privacy.

The two-stage development plan ensures flexibility and allows the architecture to grow organically within its surroundings.

Organic Settlement Pattern & Environmental Integration

The design prioritizes the site’s orientation, sunlight, views, and privacy. By rotating, elevating, and angling the units, the architects created an organic, non-repetitive pattern that blends into the existing silhouette. Instead of forming rigid adjoining structures, the architecture introduces:

• Permeable pathways
• Internal streets
• Soft transitions
• Layered landscapes
• Natural corridors

These elements enhance the sense of community while maintaining individual privacy for guests.

Fragmented Massing & Sculptural Silhouette

The project’s architectural identity emerges from the two-storey fragmented masses, each forming an interplay of height, transparency, and enclosure. The units are linked by a central reception block, yet each maintains a distinct form.

Each accommodation unit features three interconnected mass components:

1. Ground Floor Block – Housing a kitchen, bathroom, and a gallery-style seating area.
2. Mezzanine Level – A private upper sleeping area overlooking double-height space.
3. Guest Room Block – A ground-floor room topped with an open terrace, offering expansive outdoor views.

This composition enhances:

• Privacy
• Natural light flow
• Interior–exterior continuity
• Silhouette diversity

The shifting volumes create a dynamic yet harmonious skyline that feels both modern and deeply connected to its natural context.

Design Philosophy: Privacy, Transparency & Contextual Harmony

The architects strike a careful balance between open and enclosed spaces. Thoughtfully placed windows, controlled transparency, and introverted courtyard arrangements allow guests to feel immersed in nature without compromising privacy.

Through its material palette—primarily concrete with warm interior accents—the project achieves a timeless, grounded aesthetic suited to Sapanca’s landscape.

KLEE Sapanca House stands as a refined example of contemporary hospitality architecture, blending natural surroundings with intelligent spatial planning. Through fragmented volumes, lush landscape integration, and context-sensitive design, the project offers visitors an immersive retreat that celebrates both modern living and the beauty of Sapanca.

All the photographs are works of the | work