March/April 2002 The wind buffeted our temporary kitchen shelter all night long. It shook so violently, back and forth, I couldn't imagine it lasting through the night. Not only was our tent making a lot of noise, but with the shelter, the wind rushing through the trees, the crashing waves below: Who could sleep? Where … Continue reading The Story of the Swan: Kabak Valley

Imagine yourself setting off on a journey that would take you away from all you've ever known for at least a year. Not a journey to a specific and singular destination where you could develop a sense of security from a new home and new relationships with others, perhaps colleagues from a new job. Rather, … Continue reading Origins

So you want to buy a land somewhere and do something with it. Well, all of us are more similar to each other than we are different. That much is for sure. Therefore we all dream about many of the same things. One of those is to get some land outside of the city somewhere … Continue reading How to Build Your Own Project in the Countryside: Part 1 Kendi arsanızda kendi evinizi yapmanın yolları: Bölüm 1

In short insulation in your walls or roof slow down the transfer of energy from one side of your home to the other.  High density, thick walls or floors made from stone, earth, concrete etc. have the ability to store heat and depending on the time of year either release it into the house where … Continue reading Thermal Mass vs. Insulation Considerations for Natural Builders

Every building needs to be insulated. It doesn't matter if it is a home in the Kaçkar mountains or a summer house in Kaş. Unfortunately so few homes are insulated in Turkey. If it is insulated it is done so at amounts amazingly below the standards that have been set in European countries and America. … Continue reading Misconceptions about insulation in Turkey

You cannot overstate the beauty of an open rafter ceiling in a home (one where you can see the wooden beams that support the roof). The problem with them in Turkey is that they are rare and if done, most builders sacrafice important insulation considerations in order to use them. In this case, as is … Continue reading Open Rafter Ceilings