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Radar Yolu Cad. Kurtyeri Kandıra, Kocaeli, Turkey

Göztepesi, located on the Black Sea coast of Turkey, is a cooperative organic farm and community built in the heart of the nature, as a complete off grid and ecological system.

The 3 hectares farm, with boutique scale poultry and cattle breeding units, fruit trees, fields and a greenhouse, is able to feed all its habitants and sell the surplus to city residents to pay its charges. 

Göztepesi produces its energy from photovoltaic panels and wind. Besides, rainwater is collected and the use of groundwater is provided ethically.

The buildings are constructed with light foundation systems and steel & wood structure. There are personal greenhouses associated with some houses for bioclimatic effect and to grow food.

As the architect of the project, I bought the land 5 years ago for this purpose, I developed the real estate and planed organic farming (I’m also a farmer and urban planner), I was in charge of the construction and I worked mainly with local artisans and manufacturers and I’m also part of the community.

Every house is designed with the owner on the site. Plans were designed on the ground and we simulated the life within the houses with stakeholders. Then only we draw the plans on computer for builders. I lived on the site (in a container) during the construction process in order to help the workers and I became part of them.