SU by Aytac Architects: Dialogue Between Nature & Culture

SU by Aytac Architects unfolds as a quietly confident intervention on Istanbul’s Asian shore, where the bustle of Eski Ba?dat Street meets the calm expanse of the Sea of Marmara. This five-story residence isn’t just another building—it’s a thoughtful exploration of how architecture can mediate between its natural and urban surroundings, all while catering to the everyday needs of its inhabitants.

Behind the Design: Aytac Architects & Alper Aytaç

Since founding his studio in 2005, Alper Aytaç has steered Aytac Architects toward projects that investigate the hidden creative potential of sites. With SU, Aytaç’s team treats the building as a layered conversation—between past and present, inside and out, nature and culture. The practice’s blend of digital precision and analog intuition shows up in the way SU’s forms respond to context, regulations, and resident lifestyles without resorting to flashy gimmicks.

A Garden in the Sky

Rather than carving out a tiny courtyard at ground level, the architects lifted the building’s virtual footprint to the roof. Here, a generous communal garden spans the full plan: a 100-meter walking circuit, sunbathing decks, vegetable beds, and even an indoor lounge. A reflective pool at grade links your gaze back to the Sea of Marmara, while the pergola-like roof both references pitched neighbors and supports a discreet solar array—proof that landscape and sustainability can coexist in a compact urban plot.

Adaptable Living: Flexibility at Every Floor

SU’s typical floor houses four modules that owners can rearrange or combine, depending on their needs. Young couples, small families, or downsizing retirees can each find a configuration that suits them. The delicate superposition of structural limits and functional requirements means no unit feels like an afterthought; every apartment enjoys generous daylight, cross-ventilation, and the option to merge spaces into larger homes without expensive retrofits.

Facade as a Conversation: Nature Meets Culture

Perhaps SU’s most poetic device is its dual facades. On the seaside, the Sea Facade reads almost like an X-ray, offering panoramic views toward the Princes’ Islands and shaded loggias for relaxed gatherings. Opposite, the City Facade along Ba?dat Street plays hide-and-seek: a perforated screen that partially masks the sea beyond, framing surprise glimpses of city life from within. Between them, pleated transitional panels catch views while ensuring privacy, stitching the two faces into a cohesive, yet dynamic, whole.