ION | The Drop - Riva Country Beach Club | BIG | Bjarke Ingels Group

Positioned along the Black Sea coast, The Drop forms part of the larger Ion Riva project - a new neighborhood organized around nature, community, and art just north of Istanbul. Located at the end of the central axis, The Drop is one of four landmark projects within the development, alongside buildings by Snøhetta and MVRDV, connecting the neighborhood to the coastline. Named after its shape, The Drop appears as a linear bar toward the street aligned with the surrounding masterplan, while a curved volume opens toward the sea, framing a sheltered courtyard and expansive northern views.
Set on a rocky coastal hillside defined by low shrubland and basalt formations, the building responds directly to its immediate landscape. Visitors arrive at street level on the upper floor where a café overlooks the sea. From here, a terraced reading lounge steps down toward the restaurant below, connecting the entrance to the restaurant below. Large openings along the northern façade draw daylight deep into the space and frame uninterrupted views of the sea, creating a continuous visual connection between the inside and the surrounding landscape.
The material palette reflects the landscapes of the Black Sea coast. Exposed timber structure and ceilings introduce warmth to the upper floors, while basalt stone flooring anchors the spaces to the rocky terrain outside.
Below ground, a spa is carved into the hillside, forming a quieter retreat, where indoor and outdoor pools extend toward the coastline.
Outside, a slate roof rises above the vertical timber lamellas that subtly rotate to reduce solar exposure. Paths of stone and a corten boardwalk weave through the landscape, linking the building to the beach below. The journey unfolds through a series of outdoor spaces including seating areas, a small amphitheater, fire pits, and lookout points toward the water.