A "floating" sanctuary circles a new way of living on Istanbul's Black Sea coast
Snøhetta has designed a residential district and an iconic circular building that spans a river gorge in what will become a completely new neighbourhood with nearly 1,000 homes, 100,000 m² of biodiverse green space, a new school, and a wide range of facilities in Turkey's Beykoz district.
On behalf of the developer Ion, and together with internationally renowned architects MVRDV and Bjarke Ingels Group, Snøhetta has formed a design collective where each practice has been responsible for a portion of the site as well as an iconic building with a social program that will serve as a cornerstone within its respective district.
Snøhetta’s area, Greenhouse, includesThe Ring and approximately 400 residences, along with selected retail spaces and offices.
Parts of the project are already underway, with residents due to move into first completed homes in June 2027.
The Ring is conceived as a built “fight of imagination” - a first act of looking and seeing ourselves in the site, from which to eventually climb into, walk, touch, and simply pass time with nature
Tae-Young Yoon, Senior Architect and Project Leader
A sanctuary for experiencing nature
The Ring takes its name from its dramatic circular form, which is almost floating across the river, providing a sanctuary for experiencing nature. Spanning the valley in a perfect circle, The Ring delivers a model of sustainable living, from the wellness practices of its Longevity Center to its light-touch architecture. Stables and allotments sit beside the river, supporting ecological learning and local food systems.
"The Ring is conceived as a built “fight of imagination” - a first act of looking and seeing ourselves in the site, from which to eventually climb into, walk, touch, and simply pass time with nature," says Tae-Young Yoon, Senior Architect and Project Leader.
The related residences include a range of living sizes and typologies, all emphasizing layered relationships with nature and community. These are separated into five smaller communities of 50 – 80 residences whose identities are formed by their unique landscape qualities and program mix. However, all the residences reflect the region's architectural heritage. All the smaller communities host shared amenities, such as recreation facilities, open to all residents and visitors. Digital systems are integrated across the neighbourhood to support comfort, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Landscape as the first architect
The Ion Riva masterplan is shaped by the site's natural ecology, where forest, river and sea meet. Homes and public spaces follow the contours of the land, maximising views to the coastline and valley while keeping intervention to a minimum. The material palette prioritises locally sourced stone and timber, with modular construction enabling efficient delivery and lower embodied carbon across the homes.
Kjetil Thorsen, Founding Partner, Snøhetta, said: “At Ion Riva, we have worked with the landscape as the first architect. The meeting of forest, river and sea creates a natural framework, and our task has been to strengthen those conditions rather than overwrite them. The Ring grows out of this context. It is a place for learning, cultivation, and everyday encounters, shaped by the rhythms of the river valley and the community who will use it. Architecture here is not an object, but a set of relationships between people and nature, evolving over time.”
At Ion Riva, we have worked with the landscape as the first architect. The meeting of forest, river and sea creates a natural framework, and our task has been to strengthen those conditions rather than overwrite them. The Ring grows out of this context. It is a place for learning, cultivation, and everyday encounters, shaped by the rhythms of the river valley and the community who will use it. Architecture here is not an object, but a set of relationships between people and nature, evolving over time.
Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Snøhetta's founding partner
Nature and resource efficiency
The low-impact approach is continued using on-site renewable energy, including solar panels with grid integration, and green infrastructure that regulates microclimates and improves air quality. Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems are designed to cut potable water demand by 50% and are integrated into low-irrigation landscaping.
Walkability underpins the layout of the neighbourhood, with homes and everyday amenities connected by short routes that follow the landscape. Shaded paths and biodiverse green corridors link the site, creating a continuous experience of movement, nature and community. Recreation, play and wellbeing are supported through a network of parks, green spaces, trails and sports facilities integrated across the masterplan.
Four character-shaping buildings
The Ring will be accompanied by three other, striking houses that together will shape the character of Ion Riva.
Along the coastline, Bjarke Ingels Group has designed the Drop, a timber building in a distinctive teardrop shape that hosts a café, restaurant, wellness spaces and public art. At the heart of the neighbourhood, the Light House provides spaces for culture, learning and recreation, including an exhibition space, library, studios, co‑working areas and sports facilities. The Lantern, designed by MVRDV, anchors the cultural programme with a performing arts centre, cinema rooms, community spaces, an art gallery and a bookshop.
Credit: Proloog/Snøhetta
Read more about the project on our website:
FACTS:
Ion was established to create neighbourhoods that foster relationships between land and community, culture and everyday life.
Riva is the company’s first neighbourhood development project
The design team behind the Ion Riva masterplan also includes KEYM, DB Architects, Rasa and Bilgin Architects.
CONTACT:
Ida Halvorsen Kemp