Sazlı Summer House Renovation

Located in Sazlı Village in the Assos region of Çanakkale, this renovation project was developed for an existing traditional village house with the aim of preserving its original architectural character while adapting it to contemporary living conditions. Covering approximately 110 m², the building was reconsidered with particular attention to its traditional stone construction, masonry walls, and strong relationship with the surrounding landscape. Completed in 2024, the design process for the Sazlı Summer House Renovation was carried out by Fi Design Office, establishing a balanced relationship between the architectural values that needed to be preserved and the comfort requirements of contemporary residential life.

The fundamental approach of the project was based on revealing and strengthening the existing qualities of the village house rather than transforming its original character. Within the scope of the Assos village house renovation, the existing masonry walls were preserved wherever possible, while the natural patina and textures developed over time were considered an important part of the architectural identity. New interventions were developed through a restrained design language that does not compete with the existing structure but instead reinforces the legibility of its original fabric.

The existing stone walls were treated as one of the most significant architectural components of the project. As part of the masonry wall restoration, the physical condition of the walls was carefully evaluated, sections suitable for preservation were retained, and necessary interventions were developed in accordance with the original character of the building. Particular attention was given to maintaining the natural texture of the stone surfaces, while newly introduced materials, colours, and architectural elements were selected to remain visually subordinate to the historic walls. This approach created a balanced architectural composition in which traces of the building’s past remain visible within its contemporary use.

Throughout the Assos stone house renovation, the traditional building culture of the region served as an important design reference. The stone architecture, simple building forms, and natural material palette characteristic of rural settlements in and around Assos were interpreted through a contemporary architectural approach rather than directly replicated. As a result, the house retains the atmosphere of a traditional village dwelling while providing a comfortable and functional environment suitable for contemporary summer house living.

Simplicity, natural materials, and a strong relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces—key characteristics associated with Aegean architecture—formed the basis of the project’s design decisions. Interventions that would appear excessive or foreign to the original character of the building were avoided, allowing existing stone surfaces, natural textures, and understated architectural details to become the primary elements of the design. The relationship between the house and its rural surroundings was preserved, enabling the architecture to maintain a natural presence within the landscape. In this way, the project not only physically renewed the building but also strengthened its connection with the architectural identity of the region.

As part of the home renovation, the interior organization was reconsidered to respond to contemporary patterns of use. Taking the limitations of the existing structure and its original wall system into account, the functionality of the living spaces was improved while contemporary comfort requirements were carefully integrated into the historic architectural fabric. The house renovation process was therefore approached as more than a renewal of surfaces or materials; it aimed to improve the spatial, technical, and architectural performance of the building as a whole.

Establishing an appropriate relationship between old and new became one of the central considerations of the old village house restoration. Rather than introducing interventions that would conceal the age and history of the building, priority was given to preserving existing architectural traces. Newly added elements were designed with a simple and timeless language, allowing the original stone texture to remain visually dominant. As a result, the renovated building does not appear as an entirely new residence but as a contemporary summer house in which its history and previous layers can still be clearly perceived.

The same architectural approach was continued throughout the interiors. Natural materials, understated surfaces, and warm colour tones were selected to reinforce the building’s relationship with the Aegean landscape. The strong texture of the stone walls was balanced with simpler and more neutral surfaces, creating a bright and comfortable interior atmosphere. Furniture, lighting, and architectural details were selected to complement rather than overshadow the rural character of the house, establishing a controlled transition between traditional architecture and contemporary interior design.

Long-term use was also taken into consideration throughout the Çanakkale restoration project. By preserving existing building elements, carrying out the necessary repairs, and carefully integrating new functional requirements into the original structure, the lifespan of the building was extended. This approach represents an important aspect of the project not only in terms of preserving rural architectural heritage but also through the adaptive reuse of the existing building stock.

Within the scope of the Assos Çanakkale architectural restoration, the preservation of the region’s distinctive architectural fabric, the compatibility of new interventions with the existing building character, and the contemporary needs of the users were evaluated together. Rather than approaching the project solely as a physical renewal, the design aimed to reveal the existing architectural values of the house and ensure their continuation within a new living scenario.

Developed by Fi Design Office as part of its stone building restoration services, the Sazlı Summer House was completed as a comprehensive project in which architectural design, conservation principles, and detailed solutions were considered together. The preservation of the existing masonry walls, the emphasis on the natural stone texture, and the integration of the understated architectural character of the Aegean region with contemporary living requirements define the core identity of the project.

 

The resulting Sazlı Summer House Renovation represents more than the physical renewal of an old building; it reflects the continuation of architectural values inherited from the past within a contemporary way of living. Situated within the rural landscape of Assos, the former village house has been transformed through a carefully developed renovation project into a refined residence that preserves its original stone character, maintains a strong relationship with its surroundings, and responds to the requirements of contemporary summer living. Through this approach, traditional Aegean architecture has been reinterpreted with contemporary design decisions, creating a timeless summer house where past and present coexist within the same architectural fabric.