Architecture that touchesthe ground lightly.
Kargalı House, northern forests of Istanbul
KEY is the Istanbul studio of architect Kerem Yücel. Every house starts from its site, the slope, the light and the view, and from how the people in it actually want to live.
Selected work
All projectsKargalı House
A glass house floating over a remote forest hilltop: a home, a retreat and a working film set at once.
House No:26
A private residence in Istanbul, taken from first massing studies to a complete set of visualizations.
Fifty kilometres of horizon
Kargalı House sits alone on a hilltop in the forests north of Istanbul, with no neighbours and a view that runs up to 50 km in every direction. A light glass volume lifts off the ground, so the land underneath stays as it was.
- view from the hilltop
- 360°
- furthest sightline
- 50 km
- master bedrooms
- 2
- winter garden by the pool
- All year
What the studio does
- Concept development
- From the first site visit to a clear architectural idea, with massing studies and options you can compare side by side.
- 3D visualization
- Photoreal images and walkthroughs, so you see the light and the materials before anything is built.
- Interior architecture
- Interiors designed together with the building, down to the lighting, joinery and finishes.
- Construction consultation
- Guidance on site throughout construction, so what gets built matches what was designed.
How we work
Four stages, with the same architect from the first site visit to the last day on site.
Site visit
Every project starts on the land. We read the slope, the light, the view and the zoning together with you.
Concept and visualization
Massing options and 3D images let you see the house, its light and its materials while it is still being drawn.
Drawings and permits
From design development to construction drawings and the building permit, working alongside the engineering teams.
On site
We stay on site throughout construction, so what gets built is what was designed.
From the journal
All articles
What is a preliminary design (avan proje) in Turkey?
One of the first terms you'll hear from a Turkish architect is avan proje. Here is what it is, what it contains and when it needs approval.How architects' fees are set in Turkey: a 2026 guide
An architect's fee isn't a single number: it depends on the building's class, its size and the services you need. Here is how the calculation works in 2026.How a villa project comes together: from plot to handover
The seven stages a villa goes through, from zoning to handover, and the decisions you will make at each one.
Start with a conversation
Tell us about your land, your plans and your timing. Every project begins with a visit to the site.
kerem@keydcstudio.com- Phone
- +90 507 312 37 09
- Studio
- Levent Mah. Kasımpatı Sok. No:3
Beşiktaş / İstanbul
Open in Google Maps - Hours
- Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Sat 10:00–14:00 - @key.studi0
- Message on WhatsApp