Platinum Winner of the International Architecture & Design Awards 2025

A&S Luxury Home

Architecture

Private Residence & Custom Home Design

Concept / Professional Category

Architect / Designer:

Simzer Kaya

Studio:

SK Architects

Design Team:

Lead Architect & Designer/Founder : Simzer Kaya
3D Modelling and Rendering : Amir Arsalan Dehnad
Technical Drawings and Interior Design : Mobina Shafiei

Country:

Cyprus

This residence in Kyrenia, Cyprus, is designed for a family with two children, embracing a dynamic lifestyle with a strong emphasis on social gatherings, outdoor living, and seamless indoor-outdoor integration. The site is located at the mouth of a stream with a -7 meter elevation difference from the road entrance and is enriched with natural oak trees, which have been carefully preserved within the design. The entrance level hosts all main bedrooms, ensuring privacy with a facade designed to limit visual access while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. A striking steel-and-glass staircase welcomes occupants to the lower level, where common living areas—including the living room, kitchen, dining area, gym, and study—are seamlessly interconnected and extend directly to the expansive pool terrace and outdoor amenities. The residence takes full advantage of its stunning mountain views through its strategic level differences, creating a multi-dimensional spatial experience. Two thoughtfully designed inner gardens emerge from the -7m level, inviting natural light into the interiors and fostering a serene, nature-integrated environment accessible through small Zen gardens enclosed with glass partitions. The design prioritizes outdoor engagement with diverse amenities surrounding the pool area, catering to both intimate family moments and larger social events. The outdoor facilities include various options such as an outdoor dining area, an open-air cinema, and a lower-level swimming pool fountain. Additionally, an outdoor fire pit provides another enjoyable space for gatherings. The entire pool terrace is designed around the swimming pool, which also accommodates the gym terrace, ensuring a seamless flow between relaxation and fitness areas. The terraced landscape allows external access to the lower level, enabling direct entry to the pool and gathering areas without passing through the main house—an essential feature for hosting events. Sustainability and landscape integration are central to the project, ensuring that the existing oak trees are preserved and green pockets are seamlessly incorporated within the architecture. The interplay between light, natural elements, and spatial hierarchy creates a harmonious living environment that reflects both comfort and sophistication. This residence is a refined yet lively home that balances privacy, openness, and connectivity with nature, offering a distinctive and immersive architectural experience for a family that values both tranquility and vibrant hospitality.

SK Architects

SKarchitects, founded in 2009 by Simzer Kaya, is a boutique architectural studio based in Cyprus. Simzer Kaya holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University for the Creative Arts in Kent, UK, earned in 2008. Passionate about steel frame constructions, she values the material’s flexibility and its ability to create wide, open spaces.
The studio specializes in detail-oriented, innovative designs, offering tailored solutions for each project. Simzer Kaya leads a skilled team of three architects and three engineers, collaborating closely to achieve bold and functional designs. Known for their honest, open approach, SKarchitects embraces cutting-edge technologies and techniques, particularly in steel construction. The studio is renowned for its fearless attitude toward challenging projects, pushing boundaries to deliver distinctive, forward-thinking architecture that reflects creativity, precision, and modern aesthetics.