RECENTLY, AN OLD WELL-KNOWN BUILDING IN KARAKÖY WAS CONVERTED INTO A NEW VENUE. ACTUALLY, THE FUNCTION MAY LOOK THE SAME. THE BUILDING WHICH USED TO BE AN INN, NOW SERVES AS A BOUTIQUE HOTEL. WHAT MAKES THIS PROJECT PRECIOUS FOR US IS THE HARMONY OF THE OLD AND THE NEW. WE HEARD ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE PROJECT WHICH IS THE BRAIN CHILD OF METEX DESIGN; FROM ARCHITECT, M.ARCH HÜRAY ERK, ONE OF ITS DESIGNERS…
Briefly on the project:
The interior design of “Büyük Balıklı Han” (Grand Fishy Inn) of the old, now named “10 Karaköy” is by Metex Design Group’s Sinan Kafadar, Hüray Erk and Kağan Erk.
Building characteristics:
The most important architectural feature of this building which has managed to keep its original form despite being from the 19th century, is its being a structure with a yard. There is a main entrance and three side entrances opening to this yard. Besides, its bearing traces from ottoman architecture with its low arched revaks, we can say that it has a western effect of the neo-classical lines on its façade.
Interior design ideas:
We can briefly state our decoration concept in interior design is as follows: We wanted that it should look like this magnificent building was always there; and as if we just added one or two elegant accessories to it. Therefore, we didn’t apply much cladding, covering in rooms as decorative elements. We left the walls with paint including bathrooms. We brought the classical line in the fixed wood word together with a little bit more modern furniture. This interpretation ended up with an interior design which does not tire the individual.
We continued to employ the same principle in common locations as well. This is why the walls on floor hallways and the bar and restaurant on the ground floor to be left with paint.
I believe that we accomplished individualizable spaces around the yard using panels. If desired, the low ceiling boxes around the yard may be closed to be converted into a private conference or dining hall. More introverted uses were considered for these parts.
If we talk about the yard, i think its most important element; the water running from the wall and the fish right across you when you enter it is a reference to the building’s old name “Grand Fishy Inn”. Also, you may see the fish figures on the arms of the main entrance door and the other; big door opening to the yard. We use the fish figure also in the art work in common spaces.
Harmony of the old and the new:
Actually, we didn’t mess a lot with this building which impressed us a lot when we first saw its present state. We couldn’t touch much on the existing walls beside structural improvements anyway. Adding new partitions between existing walls, we did the planning so that the requirements of a hotel are met. We left the volta floorings of the building visible at the main entrance of the hotel in the high ceiling spaces on two sides and in the rooms.
Changes made:
In legacy, the basement floor was filled. The fill material in this area believed to have been a cistern previously, was cleaned and re-planned to satisfy the conference and seminar needs of the hotel. The legacy floor level was brought down one meter, making the height of the basement floor usable. Also, raised floor was applied so that all mechanical and electrical systems could be resolved without touching the existing arches and vaults. Application of raised floor, at the same time allowed us to resolve lighting partly. Because we wanted to keep the arches and walls in the basement floor as is; because they were a few of the architectural wealths of this building.
The 4th floor and the roof floor are very valuable because of the location of the hotel. The historical peninsula before you and Galata Tower behind you!… This was a very major factor in shaping up of the architecture of the hotel. We created specialty suites at the top floor, specialty suites and sky bar on the top floor; with a comfortable terrace on the roof, where we could make use of the scenery 360 degrees.
CREDITS
Project Name: 10 Karaköy Boutique Hotel
Client: Nesa Turizm, İsmail Ekşioğlu
Interior Design: Metex Design Group-Sinan Kafadar, Hüray Erk, Kağan Erk
Restoration And Restitution Drawings: Altuğ İnşaat
Mechanical: Civa Mühendislik
Electrical: Enproje Mühendislik
Structural: Sigma Mühendislik
Fire Consultant: Etik Mühendislik
Metex Design Group Design Team:
Interior Design: Hüray Erk
İnterior Design Shop Drawing Team: Hüray Erk, Kağan Erk, Merve Bulut, Özgür Karakılıç, Asena Palalar, Cansu Kesici, Eda Yayla, Evren Başik, İdil Tabak, Duygu Aksu, Gökhan Tüzinoğlu, Murat Saner, Ozan Falay
Design Application Team: Nesa Turizm , Renan Altan Coşgun (Proje Müdürü), Sinem Çakir, Yakup Oruç, Naci Sezen, Zehra Çetinkaya
Used Materials And Applicable Firms:
Batteries: Grohe
Lighting: Kare Lgihting, Kokkaya Lighting
Vitreous China: Duravit
Hardware: Simonswerk, Hafele
Fixed Wood Works: Layik Decoration, Kenan Coşgun
Mobile Furniture: M Voice, Layik Decoration
Fabrics: Soylu Mensucat
Carpets: Selvi Carpets, Step Carpets, Interface
Marble Works: Alkan Marble
Glass Works: Yakamoz Vitray&fuzyon Cam
Metal Works: Kokkaya
Accessories: Sırça Design
Heval Zeliha Yüksel / Architect
