Interview about Armira Exclusive Villa Site, winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2025
Located in Arnavutkoy, Istanbul, Armira Exclusive offers a unique living experience that combines tranquility and luxury in the heart of nature. This boutique project consists of eight private villas, blending modern architecture with natural beauty. The design ensures a serene atmosphere, with expansive landscape areas, private gardens, and a layout that harmonizes with the surrounding environment, offering residents a peaceful retreat away from the stresses of city life. Armira Exclusive redefines luxury living, offering an exclusive escape where nature meets sophistication.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe natural setting of Arnavutkoy played a crucial role in shaping the design of Armira Exclusive Villa Site. Surrounded by greenery and gently sloping terrain, we aimed to create a layout that would respect and highlight these environmental features rather than override them. Each villa was positioned to maximize daylight, ventilation, and views of the surrounding landscape, while the architecture was designed to complement the contours of the site. The use of local stone and wood allowed us to integrate the villas naturally into their environment. Landscaping was also approached with sensitivity, focusing on native plants and natural textures that support biodiversity and minimize maintenance. Our goal was to make each villa feel like an organic extension of its environment, both luxurious and deeply connected to nature. This design approach reflects our belief that true luxury comes from harmony with the surroundings, not separation from them.
Our approach to blending luxury amenities with nature was driven by a desire to redefine what high-end living means in a contemporary context. We wanted to create a space where residents could enjoy the comforts of modern life while feeling immersed in a calm, natural setting. The private pools were placed to feel like natural water elements within the landscape rather than detached additions. Garden access from multiple points ensures a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas, encouraging residents to move freely and engage with nature. Elevators were integrated for both convenience and accessibility, especially in multi-level villas, but their placement and material choices were carefully considered to maintain visual coherence with the natural design language. The goal was to provide features associated with luxury living, but without isolating residents from the environment. This philosophy guided each decision, ensuring that functionality, comfort, and nature coexist effortlessly within the project.
The natural topography of the Armira Exclusive Villa Site was both a challenge and an inspiration. Rather than flattening or reshaping the land, we embraced its natural contours as a core part of our design strategy. Each villa was positioned in harmony with the terrain to minimize excavation and reduce environmental impact. To maintain visual and ecological balance, we selected sustainable materials that complemented the natural palette of the region. Locally sourced stone and wood were used extensively, both for their low environmental footprint and their ability to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. Energy-efficient systems, including heat pumps and solar-ready infrastructure, were integrated into the design early on, allowing us to plan mechanical systems in a way that respected the building forms and landscape views. Rainwater collection and natural ventilation strategies were adapted to suit the uneven ground levels. This site-responsive approach ensured that environmental responsibility did not compromise visual integrity, but instead became a defining feature of the project.
At Armira Exclusive, our design philosophy was rooted in dissolving the boundary between indoor and outdoor living. We wanted residents to feel a continuous connection to nature without compromising comfort or privacy. To achieve this, we used large floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass panels that open directly to garden areas and terraces. Materials were carefully selected to provide visual consistency—using similar textures and tones in flooring and wall finishes helped unify the spaces. Spatial planning was guided by natural light, airflow, and sightlines, ensuring that movement from interior to exterior feels effortless and organic. Each villa was positioned to maximize privacy while still allowing uninterrupted views and easy access to outdoor areas like the private pool or garden. The result is a living environment where the architecture quietly supports a fluid, nature-oriented lifestyle that feels both luxurious and grounded in place.
Choosing local stone and wood for Armira Exclusive was a conscious decision shaped by both environmental responsibility and aesthetic intention. These materials helped us reduce transportation emissions and supported the regional economy, aligning with our goal of minimizing ecological impact. Architecturally, the natural textures and tones of the stone and wood allowed the villas to blend harmoniously into the surrounding landscape, enhancing the site's organic character. The stone offered excellent thermal mass, improving insulation and reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling. Wood elements provided warmth and tactile richness to interior and exterior spaces while being sourced from certified, sustainable forests. Beyond performance, the materials created a timeless and regionally rooted design language. Their durability and adaptability helped us ensure long-term performance, lower maintenance, and a building envelope that responds to the climate with both beauty and resilience.
Maintaining design coherence across villas ranging from 745 to 834 square meters required a strategic approach focused on modular design principles, proportional harmony, and consistent material use. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all formula, we developed a flexible design system that could adapt to each villa's spatial footprint while preserving a unified aesthetic. Key architectural elements - such as facade rhythm, material palette, and the layering of volumes - were applied across all units to establish visual continuity. Internally, we prioritized spatial fluidity and light penetration in every size variation. This allowed smaller villas to feel open and airy while giving larger ones a sense of grandeur without excess. Outdoor spaces were also balanced carefully to ensure every resident enjoys privacy, garden access, and natural views, regardless of villa size. This adaptive design strategy created a cohesive visual identity across the site while respecting the uniqueness of each unit.
Armira Exclusive Villa Site sets a precedent for sustainable luxury living by proving that environmental responsibility and high-end design can coexist seamlessly. In Istanbul, where rapid urban development often prioritizes density over quality, this project offers a valuable counterpoint. By emphasizing natural integration, local materials, energy efficiency, and open space planning, Armira encourages a new approach to residential development. We believe this project will inspire both public and private stakeholders to reconsider how comfort, nature, and sustainability can be integrated into future housing models. Municipalities may take cues from its environmental performance, while developers might adopt similar strategies in material selection, landscape preservation, and low-impact construction. For Istanbul's architectural future, Armira represents not just a finished project but a blueprint for balanced, context-aware growth that respects the environment while enhancing daily life.
Designing Armira Exclusive Villa Site as a boutique development with only eight private villas allowed us to focus deeply on both individuality and cohesion. Each villa was given a distinct layout and orientation to respond to its specific position on the site, sunlight exposure, and surrounding greenery. This allowed us to create unique spatial experiences tailored to each villa while maintaining a shared architectural language through material selection, façade treatments, and landscape integration. The limited scale also enabled us to foster a sense of community without compromising privacy. Shared elements like natural stone paths, consistent garden boundaries, and unified lighting design contribute to a harmonious visual identity. At the same time, interior configurations, pool placement, and access points were customized, giving every villa a unique character. This careful balance enhances exclusivity while reinforcing the collective identity of Armira as a curated, high-end living environment.
At Armira Exclusive Villa Site, we used parametric design tools not only to optimize the architectural form but also to establish a deeper connection between the built environment and the natural topography. By analyzing slope angles, sun paths, and wind flow, we generated villa placements and rooflines that follow the land's contours instead of altering them. This minimized excavation and preserved the site's ecological integrity. Parametric modeling also allowed us to simulate material behavior and environmental performance in real time, leading to informed decisions about façade depth, window placement, and shading elements. These tools enabled dynamic responses to natural conditions, such as maximizing natural ventilation and daylight without compromising privacy. Overall, parametric methodologies provided flexibility, precision, and efficiency while reinforcing our goal of creating a sustainable residential experience that feels organically rooted in its context.
Receiving the Silver A' Design Award for Armira Exclusive Villa Site is a significant validation of our studio's design philosophy, which emphasizes the fusion of luxury, sustainability, and emotional connection to space. This recognition reinforces our commitment to creating residential environments that go beyond aesthetics to support well-being, functionality, and ecological responsibility. It motivates us to continue exploring how interior space design can enhance daily living through natural materials, fluid spatial flow, and human-centered planning. Looking forward, we aim to set new standards in luxury architecture by integrating smart technologies, adaptive systems, and local craftsmanship to respond to evolving lifestyles. This award strengthens our belief that meaningful design must be innovative and timeless while remaining deeply rooted in the context and culture of its surroundings.
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