Tonga Houses by Bago Architecture, A Terraced Masterpiece Embracing the Sea in Çeşme, Turkey
Architecture Design of Tonga Houses
Description About The Project
Tonga Houses by Bago Architecture redefine coastal living in Çeşme, Turkey, through minimalist design, terraced geometry, and immersive sea views.
The Project “Tonga Houses” Information:
- Project Name: Tonga Houses
- Location: Izmir, Turkey
- Project Year: 2024
- Area: 1000 m2
- Designed by: Bago Architecture
Architecture as Landscape: Living on the Edge of the Aegean
Perched on the hillsides of Çeşme, Izmir—where steep terrain plunges toward the Aegean Sea—the Tonga Houses emerge not as objects placed on land, but as a natural extension of the landscape itself. This collection of terraced villas embraces the site’s topography with quiet humility, offering a visionary interpretation of coastal living rooted in minimalism, light, and context.
“We didn’t want to fight the land—we wanted to listen to it,” shared the design team at Bago Architecture in a statement to Luxury Houses Magazine. “The slope became our design partner, guiding the rhythm, height, and flow of every structure.”
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Horizontal Living, Vertical Light
The project’s architectural essence lies in its interplay of stacked horizontal planes that subtly rotate and shift to follow the contours of the hillside. These platforms—simultaneously roofs, terraces, balconies, and decks—give each villa a sense of independence while preserving sweeping, unobstructed views of the sea.
The geometry is refined and restrained: muted tones, clean lines, and low-profile silhouettes allow the homes to recede visually into the landscape. This minimalist language not only honors the natural setting but also enriches the sensory experience of dwelling.
“In a place where the view is this powerful, architecture must frame it, not compete with it,” explained the lead architect. “We allowed the homes to fall away so that the horizon could speak.”
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Light as Material, Space as Sequence
Integral to the design is the use of circular skylights—voids carved through the horizontal slabs that bring sunlight deep into the interiors. These apertures become living instruments of time, casting shadows that evolve throughout the day and season. They offer not just illumination but moments of vertical intimacy, connecting upper and lower terraces in a quiet dialogue of form and light.
“The circular cutouts aren’t just about lighting,” noted the architect. “They’re about orientation, awareness, and reminding the inhabitants of the sky—even when they are two levels below.”
Internally, the villas flow as a continuous narrative of open, semi-open, and enclosed volumes. Spaces expand and contract as needed—transitioning seamlessly between shaded verandas, sun-drenched lounges, and breezy courtyards—always responding to views, light, and wind.
A Study in Site-Specific Serenity
Materiality in the house is deliberately local and tactile. Stone, concrete, and timber blend into the terrain, grounding the structures while offering durability under Mediterranean sun and salt. The choice of a muted palette ensures that even at a distance, the villas appear as an organic part of the hillside—never interrupting the skyline, only echoing its flow.
“Every line in the house originates from the terrain,” the architect emphasized. “There’s no imposed geometry—only interpretation.”
Privacy is intrinsic, yet connection is never sacrificed. By staggering the villas and offsetting their plans, each home gains a sense of retreat, while still belonging to a collective whole. It’s a balance of solitude and shared experience—where architecture cultivates both seclusion and openness in equal measure.
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A Dialogue Between Land, Light, and Life
The house is more than a development; they’re a meditation on site, shadow, and sea. They reflect a deep understanding of the Çeşme landscape, where bold topography meets a horizon that never stops unfolding. With their thoughtful forms and poetic restraint, these villas exemplify how architecture can serve not only as shelter, but as a vessel for place-making, emotion, and timeless luxury.
In the words of Bago Architecture: “Architecture should not occupy space—it should complete it.”
Photo credit: | Source: Bago Architecture
For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: 286/4 SOKAK DEFNE PLAZA, NO:2, K.7, D.39, 35535 Bayraklı/İzmir, Turkey
– Tel: +90 232 489 97 91
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