mimarlar ve han tümertekin's olive oil mill in turkey traverses from public to private

the angelos organic olive oil mill is set in a 250.000 m² olive grove located on the coast of the aegean sea in northern turkey. the factory is a built complex of 1000 m², composed of a guest house, a shop and the production area. the site is situated in a typical aegean landscape which has an impressive scenery, surrounded by stone structures and olive trees. to define the concept and strategy of the project, mimarlar ve han tümertekin have reflected on ‘how to anchor an industrial building into a landscape?’.

all images © cemal emden

turkish based practice mimarlar ve han tümertekin‘s clients were very clear from the beginning about obtaining the oil without the pump. therefore, the olives would be pressed at the same floor where they get in production. the oil glides down with its own weight to the lower story and all of the bottled olive oil leaves the production area with trucks. for this reason, the project team had to find the perfect topography, convenient for strong sectional relations where this scenario would come true.

the olive oil mill is a built complex of 1000 m², composed of a guest house, a shop and the production area

the location to be found had to be in a spot where the design would not affect any existing vegetation or olive tree during the construction. with the site determined, mimarlar ve han tümertekin have a preference of using the local labor force as builders. the architects’ aim has been to improve the local foreman’s industrialized construction techniques and skills. for that reason, the steel construction has been made in istanbul and filled with stone by the local labor. this high precised collaborative work between istanbul and bademli village improved the foreman’s techniques.

the angelos organic olive oil mill does not affect any surrounding vegetation

using the exposed concrete, galvanized steel and natural stone as chosen materials is another intention to keep the structure maintenance-free. while forming the site plan, the intention is to generate a scheme which gradually traverses from public to private. the project includes a shop as a ‘public’ space and a guest house as a ‘private’ space aside from the production area. as the structure develops around open and semi-open spaces, the needed shading and climatic condition is provided with a shifted roof. all of these programs are covered by a copper shelter which is the most significant element of the project.

the exposed concrete, galvanized steel and natural stone materials keep the structure maintenance-free

all of these programs are covered by a copper shelter which is the most significant element of the project

the intention is to generate a scheme which gradually traverses from public to private

the angelos organic olive oil mill is set in a 250.000 m² grove located in northern turkey

to define the strategy of the project, the architects have reflected on ‘how to anchor an industrial building into a landscape?’

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edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom