Swissotel Resort and Residences Çeşme

Design Team：Dilekci Architects
Size：85000 m²   
Location：Çeşme, Turkey

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Project - Swissotel Resort and Residences Çeşme is an ambitious adaptive reuse project that breathes new life into an aging 1990s hotel on Turkey's Aegean coast. Rather than demolishing the obsolete 11-story building, Dilekci Architects undertook an architecturally and environmentally conscious transformation that extended its lifespan while dramatically reshaping its form and function. The standout sustainable strategy centered on retaining as much of the original structure as possible. A staggering 74% of the existing structure was preserved, including 97% of the core, preventing a monumental 5,650,000 kg of carbon emissions. This eco-friendly upcycling approach sets an exemplary precedent for the adaptive reuse of outmoded buildings. Beyond its green credentials, the project's unique design reconciles the hotel's dated appearance with the surrounding urban fabric through an elegant new silhouette. The formerly discordant massing has been streamlined, with extended slabs forming terraces that maximize sea views while providing shaded outdoor living areas. Within this unified new shell, the program has been entirely reimagined. The hotel capacity was reduced to 260 rooms, complemented by the ingenious addition of 110 residential units and 7 private villas sharing an interconnected yet physically separated site plan. Showcasing innovation in both form and function, this transformation breathes fresh life into Çeşme's coastal landscape.

 

Design Team - Founded in Istanbul in 2014 by Durmus Dilekci, Dilekci Architects (DDA) is an award-winning practice renowned for its research-driven, context-sensitive approach. The firm emerged from Dilekci's previous collaborative studio Uras x Dilekci where he honed his skills from 2003-2014. DDA's portfolio showcases their expertise across diverse typologies, exemplified by the award-winning Buyaka mixed-use development, Hilton DoubleTree Avcilar hotel, and the MiCosta resort residences - the latter nominated for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award in 2015. The interdisciplinary team, led by Dilekci who teaches at instutions like Yildiz Technical University, employs a collaborative design methodology. Their sustainable contemporary solutions imbue projects with a sense of place while enriching the local milieu through meaningful architectural experiences. Current commissions span hospitality, residential, educational, and mixed-use sectors across Turkey. Notable works include an Izmir hotel, an eco-resort in Antalya, elderly housing in Seferihisar, and a LEED Platinum-targeted kindergarten in Istanbul. DDA's recognition on platforms like the German Design Award and European Property Award underscores their international reputation for architectural excellence.