Örnek Evler

Project Summary

“A truly disaster-resilient way of living is possible with the establishment of strong social and economic relations between people and nature”

This is the main directory of the Exemplary Houses Project. A unique project which is established to set an example for the provision of living spaces that are compatible with nature and are resilient to disasters and their aftermaths by providing an environment of solidarity with community consciousness and accessibility to people of all income levels. Within the first phase of the project, 100 “Tiny Houses”, the construction of which has been completed in Istanbul, were placed on a 66 acres piece of land in Kuzeytepe; a neighbourhood in the Antakya district, Hatay. The next phase will encompass the integration of agricultural and livestock areas, rainwater collection systems, renewable energy systems and social facilities which are to be built in this new residential area. The project is designed with a focus on sustainability and aims to establish economic and social structures.
Earthquake victims, selected from disadvantaged groups, are now living in the village as residents. For 18 months following the beginning of life within the village, psychological support, trainings aimed at increasing community awareness and social activities are organizing for the children and adults alike. Within the scope of the project, expert support in commercialization and branding is being provided for the production in the village, and corporate sales connections are established to guarantee a sustainable income as planned.

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Project Timeline
Three days after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake the production of 100 Tiny Houses started and as of the first of may, 2023, their construction and allocation in accordance to the site plan saw completion. This all was done with the voluntary support of the participation of many volunteers in TÜYAP Istanbul of which the process has been closely monitored by the media

With the agreement signed by the Governorship of Hatay on March 9th, 66 acres of land in Kuzeytepe (Antakya district, Hatay region) was allocated for the Example Houses Project. The project’s concept design process has been completed and infrastructure works have started on the field as of March 22nd. On March 18th, the transportation of Tiny Houses from Istanbul to the project area began and the gradual shipments have been completed.

Disadvantaged families who will live in ÖrnekEvler living village were determined, from applications received by Hatay Governorship, Hatay Metropolitan Municipality and Disabled Associations Placed in 100 tiny houses. On October 22, the village was opened with the participation of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lütfü Savaş and Department Heads, Volunteers and Material Supporters. Currently, families continue to live and the social areas whose construction has been completed are actively used.. Due to the nature of the project, it is important that the inhabitants understand the workings of the village and their respective role within it.

Sponsorship has been found for 16 of the 30 social area buildings included in the project design and their manufacturing has been completed. It is currently open to the use of residents living in the village. The search for sponsorship continues for the remaining 1 unit management office, 1 social facility and 12 guesthouses.

In the next period, production is continuing in Hatay in order to provide employment in the region, to carry out field studies more effectively and to minimise transportation.

The establishment of the living space is made possible with the support of volunteers and sponsors. In the period after life begins, various activities are planned to ensure the physical, psychological and economic recovery of the earthquake victims.

The Meaning and Significance of the Örnekevler

As of 2022, 56 percent of the world’s population lives in cities and it is predicted that this rate will reach 68 percent in 2050. The pandemic and the recent Kahramanmaraş earthquake have shown us once again how fragile our current living spaces are, physically as well as socially and economically. In addition, the impact of climate change is being felt more and more and concerns about water, food and energy security are growing day by day.

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Earthquake-resistant houses are of great importance in ensuring life safety in case of a possible disaster. However, in the light of the Kahramanmaraş earthquake, it has become clear that living in an earthquake-resistant building cannot ensure the security of basic needs such as food, clean water and energy. In addition, the difficulties experienced by the people living in rural areas, regarding the access to these basic needs during the earthquake, showed us that only residing in, instead in cohesion with, a natural environment is insufficient in terms of disaster resilience. Considering the previous, we must conclude that most of our citizens have a lifestyle that is vulnerable and fragile in the face of a possible disaster.

Perhaps the most important obstacles to adopting a lifestyle that is more in harmony with nature are economically related. Studies in the field of circular economy clearly reveal the damage to the environment caused by the ownership model, which has been widely adopted in the current economic order. As a result of profit and sales-oriented approaches, the price of owning unused items is paid by every actor of the environment, thus indirectly by humans likewise.

This problem also applies to sheltering, which is considered a basic human right. Yet, based on the idea that a life in harmony with nature and resilient to disasters is a basic right for all people, some innovative approaches have emerged around the world. The Exemplary Houses Project is set to work along a so-called co- management model, in which all the land use rights and buildings belong to the non-profit organisation, but the management of the land and living space is carried out in cooperation with the residents. Thanks to this method, it is possible for people of all income levels to adopt a sustainable and durable lifestyle without having to pay any price for it. By enabling long-term land use contracts, funded by non-profit organisations, we envision sustainable and durable living spaces for people over the course of many projects to be developed.

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Project Objectives

Ensuring that our children, who are the adults of the future who have experienced a great trauma such as an earthquake, learn to live in harmony with nature; improving their physical and psychological health. Demonstrating that life in harmony with nature is a basic, psychological need and its importance in healing.
Exemplifying a locally self-sufficient and truly disaster-resilient way of living which includes water, food and energy security. Ensuring that the structures in which disaster victims will have the shelter for years are well insulated and ergonomic comfortable homes, rather than temporary mere houses.
Demonstrating that there is a better alternative to modern housing solutions where strong social and economic relations between nature and people can flourish. Emphasising that housing is a fundamental right and should be built for people, not for profit.

Events - Support Us

"Butterfly Effect Art Exhibiton"
The group exhibition called "Butterfly Effect" meets with art lovers to support the destruction caused by the earthquake disaster that took place on February 6, 2023, through art. The exhibition was created by bringing together the works donated by artists from our country to contribute to the Hatay, Kuzeytepe, Örnek Evler Living Village. The event is organized with the contributions of Tarık Hotamışlıgil, Zülal Çakıcı, Hamide Göksan, and Haldun Dostoğlu and with the support of the İyilik İçin Sanat Association.
To see the artworks and purchase information please click the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1syW6Ef1WO5FdyF_GNe_G2WyIleyS2JJ-/view?usp=sharing

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