Key Takeaways
- —The concept stage in villa design is a needs and lifestyle analysis conducted before architectural drawings; skipping it often leads to costly revisions during construction.
- —The site's slope, orientation, and views directly shape the concept; split-level solutions are commonly preferred on sloping sites in Kyrenia.
- —Mediterranean architecture (stone/plastered façades, arches, tiled roofs) and modern minimalist design (large glass surfaces, flat roofs) are the two most popular styles in Kyrenia.
- —Modern designs with large glazed façades require proper solar shading and building orientation to prevent overheating during summer.
- —Landscape, pool, and outdoor living decisions should be planned together with the house, rather than being left until the end.
A villa project does not begin with a few lines drawn on paper. In fact, the most critical decision is made before the architect even picks up a pencil: "What kind of life do we want to live in this house?" As a team that has been designing villa projects in Kyrenia for many years, we can say that most projects that skip the concept stage and move directly to floor plans encounter major revisions during construction. This means both time and budget losses.
Defining the concept is not actually a design decision; it is a process of creating a map of needs.
What Is Discussed During the Concept Stage?
The first meeting usually focuses on questions such as: How many people will live in the house? How often will guests be entertained? Will the homeowner spend only the summer in Cyprus, or most of the year here? A summer villa in Alsancak intended for seasonal use requires a completely different planning approach than a primary residence in Çatalköy intended for year-round living. In the first case, open terraces, an outdoor kitchen, and the pool area become priorities. In the second, insulation, spacious indoor living areas, and winter comfort take priority.
The site itself also largely determines the concept. A sloping plot on the hills of Karaoğlanoğlu and a flat parcel at the foothills of Bellapais do not allow the same villa typology. Split-level solutions are generally preferred on sloping land, as they both optimize the use of the view and keep excavation costs at a reasonable level. If there is a sea view, room orientations and window proportions are largely shaped around that view—sometimes the location of a kitchen is rotated by 90 degrees simply to capture a better sunset.
Mediterranean Architecture or Modern Lines?
In the Kyrenia region, two main trends have emerged in recent years. Although they appear to be opposites, they actually respond to the same climate. The classic Mediterranean style is characterized by stone or white-beige plastered façades, arched openings, tiled roofs, and shaded courtyards. This style is not only aesthetic but also functional, thanks to deep roof overhangs and thick walls that help keep interiors cool during the summer.
The modern minimalist approach is defined by large glass surfaces, flat roofs, concrete-and-wood combinations, and sharp geometric lines. This style is especially popular on sea-view plots because the expansive glazing brings the scenery indoors. However, a balance is necessary here: if insulation and energy efficiency are not properly planned, large glass façades can turn interior spaces into an oven during the summer months. Therefore, solar shading systems and proper building orientation should be discussed during the concept stage just as much as the glass ratio.
Some clients prefer to combine both styles: a simple exterior with stone details and an open-plan modern interior. This hybrid approach has become the most requested solution in Kyrenia in recent years.
The Relationship Between Budget and Concept
If the budget is not discussed during the concept stage, the design process may later require a complete revision. For example, the cost of constructing a two-storey villa in Kyrenia with a 250 m² enclosed area and a swimming pool can vary significantly depending on the choice of materials. A project using marble finishes and wooden joinery may cost more than 30% above a project using standard ceramic finishes and PVC joinery. For this reason, establishing the balance between "our dream home" and "the home that fits our budget" during the concept stage is essential to avoid unexpected surprises later.
To give a realistic example: one group of clients usually arrives with 10–15 images they like from Pinterest or Instagram. Our job is to identify the common theme among those images and adapt it to the realities of the site and the available budget. In most cases, those homes were designed for different climates and different site conditions. Rather than copying them directly, the goal is to adapt that feeling to Kyrenia's sun, wind, and topography.
Landscape and Outdoor Decisions Should Be Made Early
In many projects in Türkiye, landscaping is considered only after construction has been completed, using whatever budget remains. In Cyprus, climate conditions require the opposite approach. If the location of the pool, shaded areas, outdoor kitchen, and seating areas is not planned together with the house itself, expensive and aesthetically problematic solutions may become necessary later. The prevailing wind direction—especially the strong northwesterly winds that affect Kyrenia during winter—is also a determining factor in the positioning of pools and terraces.
What Happens After the Concept Is Approved?
Once the concept has been finalized, the process moves on to the preliminary design stage (basic layouts and massing studies), followed by the preparation of detailed architectural drawings. At this stage, scaled floor plans, sections, and elevations are developed. We have separately covered how the architectural design process works, where readers can explore these steps in greater detail. The clearer the concept, the faster and smoother the subsequent stages progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the concept stage of villa design take?+
It generally takes between 2 and 4 weeks and includes needs assessment meetings, site analysis, and initial massing studies. This period may be longer for sites with complex terrain conditions.
Is Mediterranean architecture or modern design more popular?+
Both are widely preferred in the Kyrenia region. Recently, hybrid approaches that combine the two styles (a simple stone façade with a modern interior) have become increasingly popular.
Isn't the budget determined later? Why should it be discussed during the concept stage?+
Although the exact figures may not yet be finalized, if the material quality level and overall project scale are not discussed during the concept stage, there is a significant risk of major revisions during the architectural design and cost estimation stages.
