The Istanbul-based architectural firm, with its long family tradition, started with Dr. Hayati Tabanlioğlu (Architect of Atatürk Cultural Center, Istanbul Atatürk Airport and Galleria, first shopping mall of Turkey). Spanning over six decades, the office demonstrates a professionalism based on rigor and know-how. Searching for new efficiencies in terms of global and environmental needs and developments, the practice is currently engaged in major assignments worldwide, having offices in Ankara, Dubai, Doha and London with more than 170 employees, operating mainly in Turkey, MENA and CIS Countries, Tabanlıoğlu works comprise wide range of building types. Respecting resources and existing values, office aims high to benefit new technologies, envisioning needs of people of our era of novelties and rapid changes.
Tabanlıoğlu Architects is established in 1990 by Murat Tabanlıoğlu and his father Hayati Tabanlıoğlu, and Melkan Gürsel (AIA Int.) joined the group in 1995.
Murat Tabanlıoğlu (RIBA, Chartered Member, Int’l. Assoc. AIA) studied architecture at Vienna Technical University and graduated in 1992. He founded Tabanlıoğlu Architects in cooperation with Dr. Hayati Tabanlıoğlu in Istanbul in 1990. Besides his atelier program at Istanbul Bilgi University, he lectures at universities and various international platforms. In addition to his national and international contributions as a jury member, such as at AIA In 2014 he has been granted with the great honor of curating the first Pavilion of Turkey at the 14th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale. This year, he has been the curator of “Port City Talks. Istanbul.Antwerp.” exhibition at MAS Antwerp as the major event of Europalia 2015 Turkey.
Melkan Gürsel (Int’l. Assoc. AIA) studied architecture at Istanbul Technical University. After graduating in 1993, she attended Polytechnic University of Metropolitan Catalonia for her Master of Architecture. She joined Tabanlioglu Architects as partner, in 1995; based in Istanbul with branches in Ankara, Dubai, Doha and London, the office operates mainly in Turkey, MENA and CIS Countries, with more than 160 architects. Besides many other awards, Melkan has been selected as one of the “Europe 40 under 40” for 2008 and selected as “Fifty Under Fifty: Innovators of the 21st Century”, in 2015. In 2010, together with Murat Tabanlıoğlu, Melkan BUILDIN selected as “Architect of the Year” by Big Project Middle East Awards. Melkan gives lectures at various national and international platforms and serves as jury member at several programs, one of her latest contribution being RIBA Annie Spink Award for Excellence in Architectural Education. She has co-curated an exhibition at London Design Festival 2015 with French artist Arik Levy.