I will now tell about the so-called ordinary houses, which are newish apartment buildings that usually have around 5-15 floors. So now I am not discussing ultramodern skyscrapers or older traditional Turkish houses.

Let me also tell you one detail about the interior design of these houses: the average size of an apartment in Istanbul is usually around 100-150 m2, and finding a small apartment is difficult.

The photos in this post are mainly taken in the Kadıköy district on the Asian side, in the neighborhood of Fenerbahçe. This area has traditionally been a middle-class, prosperous area. But today, inflation has also made housing prices skyrocket, so now we’re already talking about luxury homes in this area.

However, architecturally, the design and style of this era are similar throughout Istanbul. Unlike in Finland, apartment buildings in Istanbul are not built in a monotonous, industrial box -style. Instead every building has an idea, i.e. an interesting detail such as different materials, shapes, rhythm and colors which brings out a personality. Not forgetting either stylish details such as, for example, the decorative metal railings of the balconies etc. The design is skillful; Istanbulites know how to create charming and comfortable houses while preserving the modern overall look of the buildings.

And what is also fantastic, every apartment building always has a professionally built – and maintained – garden. Often there is not much space, but a beautiful garden can still be found. Always! You can’t build a house without a yard, right?! I will tell more about the gardens in my next post, but for now, let’s explore contemporary architecture in Istanbul through photos.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said that architecture is frozen music. So how does this contemporary architecture of Istanbul resonate with your soul? What about your own environment, do you find uplifting and sweet chords there?