VitrA Çağdaş Mimarlık Dizisi - Arkitera

Argos in Cappadocia is a “rural regeneration project” that revitalizes a lost part of the
local historical texture, primarily through reconstruction and the construction of new
additions. With its architectural choices adapted to the existing texture and a general
approach that sensitively protects the carved out rocks that it is located on, the project
encourages the use of public spaces. It manages to be both new and in harmony
with the existing texture through an appropriate choice of materials based on accurate
texture analysis. Argos can be considered a regional development project aiming for
the conservative goal of “reflecting its period” through elaborate architectural detailing.
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Located within the Urban Preservation Zone on the slopes of Uçhisar village, overlooking
Güvercinlik Valley, one of the most important historical settlements of the Cappadocia
region, Argos in Cappadocia is a boutique hotel complex positioned on the topography
in the form of terraces. The complex has been in service since 2010 thanks to a
meticulous restoration and reconstruction process lasting 14 years and carried out in
four phases. During restoration, the ruins of a 1500 year old monastery, which had been
substantially damaged due to lack of maintenance, as well as caves and underground
tunnels and approximately 40 abandoned historical houses were elaborately restored
and brought together as individual units called “konak” .
Consisting of five independent konaks scattered over the topography at different levels
and various terraces and open spaces situated in between, the hotel complex has
four diverse types of rooms: cave, terrace, balcony and courtyard. The room types are
generated by the rich topographic variety. In addition, conservation of existing rock
formations and proposals for their adaptive re-use has generated 40 uniquely designed
rooms including suites, cave rooms and deluxe rooms as well as luxury suites that have
a private swimming pool. This feature responds well to contemporary comfort standards,
technical requirements and the diverse luxury demands of cosmopolitan tourists
with high expectations for comfort, luxury and pleasure.
Specifically intended to transcend touristic clichés, the complex was designed by Argos
Yapı, who have developed several projects in the region, including the restoration of
houses, preservation of the environment and design of socio-cultural spaces. This rural
renewal project attempts to reconstruct the long-lost sense of authenticity, genuineness
and uniqueness in the tourism sector through use of space, materials and local
production praxis rather than staged views and fake sceneries. The project adds to an
expansion model coherent with the historical pattern, supports the use of local materials,
adheres to regional construction praxis and values the education of craftsman. It
has preserved a sense of identity, consistency and continuity in spite of the changing
team of designers over the course of 16 years. Argos in Cappadocia Hotel is without
question the most successful and exceptional example of the sustainable tourism approach
in Turkey.
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