Self-contained living space: Folkart Narlidere

Generous outdoor areas and a clear, reduced use of materials are characteristic of the gated community in Narlidere constructed by Emre Arolat. Folding sliding shutters play their part in the fascinating interplay between inside and outside.

The new development Folkart Narlidere near Izmir is characterized by the urban structure of a gated apartment complex with 168 units in the upper price segment and floor areas ranging from 180 to 480 square meters. This form of accommodation – in this particular case developed by Emre Arolat Architects – is very commonplace in Turkey as it offers various indoor and outdoor pools, sport and fitness facilities, a cinema, a supermarket and much more in addition to the apartments themselves.

The promoter's specifications were to build as many apartments as possible with a view of the sea a mile away. The seven hectare plot now boasts four buildings, each with eight stories. On the sea-facing side, the apartments have amorphous, sweeping terraces and balconies – outdoor areas that are the favorite spots in Izmir's Mediterranean climate. High-quality materials such as wood, stone and fair-face concrete are characteristic of the four buildings and lend them a succinct yet impressive appearance.

The wooden folding sliding shutters are equipped with HAWA Frontfold 20 hardware to let in as much light as possible when open. When they are closed, they offer an effective screen delicately integrated into the overall to protect from the sun and provide privacy for the rooms facing the atriums that lie towards the Catalkaya mountains.