Located in Karaburun region, Izmir, on the Aegean Sea coast, the Orion House has been designed for a family of three.

While developing the architectural layout of the house and deciding on its orientation, the top priority was to preserve the olive trees on the lot. The olive trees were approached not only as a part of the landscaping, but as a vital element in providing a considerable amount of shade for the patio and façades of the house under the scorching Mediterranean sun.

The ground floor of the house has thick stone masonry walls providing a warm atmosphere and durability on the ground level, while the upper story facade is made of charred wood reducing the heat gain from the sun. Combining these materials as an envelope of the concrete structure helps to shape a built form that addresses sustainability. The Shou Sugi Ban or charring of the wood will be done on site just before building the exterior wooden parts. It is very durable, needs little maintenance and has excellent long-term cost performance.

The living area, including the sitting room, the kitchen and the dining room, is designed around a patio. Wrapped up by the house walls, it is not exposed to the street providing privacy for the residents. The plants, bushes and other landscape elements are locally sourced. Being native to the area, they require low maintenance and little watering. The minimalist and simple design helps to keep the construction of the house within budget.