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 which today is one of Eurasia’s most recognised, award winning architectural practices; currently engaged in major assignments worldwide with offices in Istanbul, NYC, Dubai and Doha.
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 respectively for Loft Gardens and Bodrum International Airport, and several others, 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 Tabanlıoğlu, 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.
A selection of completed projects are: the first modern museum of Turkey, Istanbul Modern; the first loft of Turkey Levent Loft & Loft Gardens; Istanbul Sapphire Tower; urban complex Zorlu Center; Media Centers in Turkey and Kazakhstan; office buildings such as ESAS Aeropark; Zorlu Levent , Selçuk Ecza HQ; Al-Fattan Crystal Towers in Dubai; Selçuklu Congress Center and Tripoli, Sipopo and Dakar Congress Centers in Africa; big scale projects like Astana Arena, Astana Train Station, Bodrum Intl. Airport; besides, renovation projects such as Beyazıt Library from the 16th Century, and ongoing Istanbul Ataturk Cultural Center project. 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. She takes part in national and international juries such as the judging panel of Dezeen Awards in 2019.
Grandchild to 4th president of Turkish Republic, Melkan Gürsel gives lectures and mentors younger generation as part of her professional and social responsibilities. Serving as a member of judging boards internationally, she is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Technical University, ITU Development and ITU Technopolis Foundations, of Istanbul Modern Museum, and of the Baksi Museum. Also, partner of Istanbul’s renowned art gallery, Galerist, Melkan Gürsel writes for ArchUnlimited Magazine.