A House for Motion: The Rowing Clubhouse of Fenerbahçe Sports Club in Kalamış Bay

For over a century, the Fenerbahçe Sports Club has stood for athletic excellence, passion, and a deeply rooted community spirit. Active across nearly all disciplines—from youth football to professional rowing—the club not only trains athletes but also shapes the cultural and social life of Istanbul across generations. In this sense, the new rowing clubhouse, designed and built by TCA, is much more than just a building—it is a spatial embodiment of this legacy.

Site and Context

Located directly on the coast in the calm Kalamış Bay, the clubhouse opens up to the water—the natural training ground of rowers. The location was chosen with intention: it combines proximity to the city with scenic openness, allows for protected regattas, and offers space for public interaction and community gathering. The dialogue between water and architecture is not only functional but also symbolic: it represents flow, movement, and constant renewal—core values of the club.

Program and Function

The building integrates various functions in a well-thought-out manner:
– A spacious boathouse forms the backbone of the infrastructure, enabling quick access to the water.
– The strength training room and athlete sleeping quarters are arranged to provide both rest and immediate proximity to sporting activity.
– The event space, directly connected to multiple terrace levels, creates flexible zones for regatta spectators, club celebrations, or public events.
– The upper levels are intentionally open, offering panoramic views of the sea—a place of exchange, motivation, and pride.

Architectural Concept

The building follows a clear, horizontal layout that integrates seamlessly into the coastal topography. The materials—concrete, wood, and glass—reflect a balance of permanence, warmth, and transparency. Terraces and stepped platforms provide both functional separation and atmospheric gathering spaces for events, spectators, or moments of pause during training.

Rather than seeking an iconic gesture, TCA has developed an architecture that serves the sport and its people—restrained yet strong in character. The design follows the idea of an open house: accessible to members, welcoming to guests, and inspiring for young talent.

A House for the Future

This clubhouse is not just an investment in physical infrastructure but in the future of sport itself. It offers space for growth, development, and connection—in the spirit of Fenerbahçe Sports Club. From a place by the water, it becomes a home for movement, community, and athletic excellence.