Bronze Winner of the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026
XO Cape Arnna
Hospitality & Hotel Interior Design
Completed / Built / Professional Category
Architect / Designer:
Yeşim Kozanlı
Studio:
YKAID LTD
Design Team:
Yeşim Kozanlı, İbrahim Alican, Ezgi Toroman Çınar, Zeynep Su Göntürk, Irmak Akkuş, İlayda Yargıcı, Kadir Irmak
Copyright:
İbrahim Özbunar
Country:
Türkiye
XO Cape Arnna is conceived as an engaging sensory journey shaped by the philosophy of Orchestrated Design. Rooted in the idea that architecture, like music, can compose a spatial symphony, the project brings light, sound, texture, scent, and taste together as interdependent elements rather than isolated components. Each space contributes to a coherent whole, unfolding through movement, atmosphere, and experience.
Drawing inspiration from the layered heritage of the Lycian and Luwian civilizations, known as “the people of light,” the project reinterprets hospitality through a contemporary yet deeply rooted architectural language. Ancient values of generosity, artistic refinement, and openness are translated into an immersive spatial narrative that resonates with today’s guests.
The lobby marks the opening movement of this journey. Designed as a high-ceilinged, cathedral-like space, it frames the first encounter through sculptural wooden forms inspired by the endemic flora of Fethiye. Rising vertically from the root to the canopy, these elements establish a clear dialogue with nature while defining a spatial rhythm. Daylight enters through a large glass dome, animating reflective surfaces and suspended circular pendants, and setting the tempo for the experience ahead.
At the core of the project lies the market axis, the primary organizing spine of the spatial composition. This central circulation line connects the hotel’s gastronomic and social destinations, positioning food and culture at the heart of the experience. Each restaurant, café, and bar functions as a distinct sensory stage, creating anticipation as guests move through diverse culinary worlds.
The F&B areas are conceived not merely as functional venues, but as immersive scenes where flavor, atmosphere, and memory intersect. Along the market axis, culinary identities unfold as miniature architectures, each with a clear spatial character while remaining part of a cohesive whole. A recurring olive tree motif, most visible in the main restaurant, subtly references the region’s cultural landscape through scent, shade, and material presence.
The spa introduces a contrasting yet complementary condition. Designed as an inward-focused retreat, it fosters a sense of connection with the inner world and encourages a state of calm awareness. Earth-toned palettes, restrained forms, tactile materials, and acoustically balanced interiors create an environment that aligns with the body’s natural rhythm.
Throughout XO Cape Arnna, architecture acts as an active participant rather than a static backdrop. Inspired by the musical principle of “call and response,” spaces react to movement, light, and presence, encouraging exploration and discovery. The result is a layered spatial choreography that unfolds over time, transforming hospitality into an experience defined by engagement, memory, and a sense of place.
YKAID LTD
Yeşim Kozanlı Architecture & Interior Design is an Istanbul-based international studio with a holistic approach that places the relationship between people, space, and emotion at its core. Specializing in hotels, resorts, residential, restaurant, and mixed-use projects, the studio views design not only as an aesthetic outcome but as a strategic tool that shapes experience.
Each project is informed by its local context while expressed through a universal design language. Strong narratives, timeless material choices, and human-scale spatial planning form the foundation of the studio’s work. Light, color, texture, and spatial flow are carefully composed to create balanced and meaningful environments.
Yeşim Kozanlı Architecture & Interior Design aims to design long-lasting, distinctive spaces that integrate sustainability, functionality, and emotional impact, adding value to both their users and their surroundings.
