MELKAN GÜRSEL

Melkan Gürsel (AIA, International Associate Member) studied architecture at Istanbul Technical University. After graduating in 1993, for her Master's degree in Architecture she went to UPC, Barcelona. She joined Tabanlioglu Architects as partner, in 1995. Practicing architecture in a city with 10.000-year urban culture, Melkan's projects reflect the time they belong and the place they are located, aiming to develop innovative, yet efficient and economically viable design alternatives for residential buildings, offices, industrial facilities, shopping malls and transformation projects considering the uniqueness of the "place" and the individuality of "requirements". Along with several prize-winning projects, e.g. RIBA International Awards in 2011 and 2013, Melkan has been selected as one of the "Europe 40 under 40" for 2008 and in 2015 "Fifty under Fifty: Innovators of the 21st Century". In 2010, 2013 and 2018, together with Murat Tabanlülu, she has been awarded MEA-Middle East Architect Award Architect of the Year and "Architect of the Year" by Big Project ME Awards, and announced 5th in the list of most powerful 50 figures who shaped the architecture of the ME. Melkan Gürsel ranked 2nd place in "The Power list 2018" of ME Architect. Besides the architectural work, she has designed installations at London Design Festival in 2015 and 2016; Milan Fuorisalone Interni Exhibition, London Design Biennale and Dubai Design Week in 2018.