Kadıovacık Bio-House was designed in accordance with the principles of building biology and ecology to present a pioneering example of human- and environment-respectful construction. Consisting of three independent units—two residential and one office—this single-story structure also hosts the workspace of the Institute of Building Biology and Ecology (YBE).

Solving the needs of three independent units within a single-story configuration, the climatic conditions of Urla that encourage outdoor use during long summer seasons, and the strong visual relationship offered by the plain-mountain landscape constituted the fundamental inputs of the design. Accordingly, terraces opened toward the southwest orientation, while volumes extending from the building mass separated the terraces from one another, defining semi-private outdoor spaces for each unit. Sequentially structured hipped and flat roof surfaces imparted different heights and rhythms to the mass while fragmenting the scale of the building to create a settlement character reminiscent of side-by-side village houses.

Being the first building in Turkey to undergo a life-cycle assessment at the building scale, Kadıovacık Bio-House has a gross carbon emission per square meter that is nearly half that of similar best practices abroad. In the building, priority was given to biodegradable building materials that do not generate waste at the end of their service life.

Targeting longevity and earthquake resistance, the structural system was designed as a timber skeleton made of cedar wood; it was completed with earth blocks, compressed earth panels applied for the first time in Turkey, clay plaster, and natural paints. These natural components, which balance humidity and clean the air in the indoor climate, contributed to the formation of a healthy indoor environment during both the application and usage processes thanks to their non-toxic structures.

The architectural design of the building aimed to minimize energy consumption and maximize the benefits of passive climate control strategies. Window and shading systems designed by taking into account the sun rays coming at horizontal angles in winter and steeper angles in summer ensured maximum utilization of natural light directly and indirectly throughout the day.

On the southern and western facades of the building, a double-adobe filled wall detail with high thermal mass was applied against summer heat; on the northern and eastern facades, where heat losses could be higher in winter, high-performance insulation solutions supported by reed boards were developed. Thus, the need for artificial air conditioning and energy consumption was minimized. In the summer months, natural ventilation and coolness were provided indoors thanks to strip windows designed to create a chimney effect.

In addition to these solutions, cellulose insulation was used beneath the zinc roof with ventilation gaps, and perlite insulation was used beneath the wooden flooring. To reduce external dependence for water needs, a dual-line plumbing system was configured. Rainwater collected from the roofs is stored and used for garden irrigation during the dry summer months, while mains water is reserved for domestic uses such as sinks, showers, and laundry.

Comprehensive presentations and technical information regarding the Kadıovacık Bio-House can be accessed via biyoev.tr.