Cesme, Izmir
2024
As part of the renovation of Momo Beach in Dalyan, the project involved the design and construction of two rammed earth bars, along with the restoration of the beach’s retaining wall. Developed within Mehmet Yücebaşoğlu’s renewed palette and material language, the project marked Momo’s broader transition toward an ecologically responsive approach that emphasizes natural materials and regional continuity.
A 32-meter rammed earth bar and a smaller reception bar were built using a mixture of local soil and lime to reflect the surrounding geography’s natural hues. Through the ramming process, layered textures emerged, anchoring the structures in the coastal setting and establishing a strong visual and material connection to their environment.
Built with low-carbon, locally sourced materials, the structures embody a sustainable alternative to conventional construction methods. Rammed earth, an ancient and sustainable construction technique where layers of earth are compacted into formwork, produces solid structures with distinctive textures.
The retaining wall along the beach was first plastered with lime and then finished with a limewash tinted in sand-colored natural pigments. Limewash creates translucent layers that respond to light, giving the surface a natural texture and soft tonal variations that harmonize with the coastal landscape.
In the hospitality sector, where spaces are frequently renovated or replaced, earthen materials offer a clear advantage: they can be reused or returned to the ground without leaving construction waste behind.
material aspect