About us
DerinYesil Architects & Consultants (Zen Proje Ä°nÅŸaat Tekstil San. ve Tic. Ltd. Åžti.) was founded in 2007 with a main office in Ankara. It expanded with branch offices in Izmir and Washington DC with a team of 17 architects and interior designers. The office has emerged as a versatile architecture and design practice, known for combining technical innovation and design excellence. The group's leadership and expertize in "sustainable design and project management" has led to a number of its current projects as well as recognition in international competitions.
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Our Team.
Duygu DEMÄ°RAYAK CEVÄ°KER
Co-Founder/ Design Director
EDUCATION
Middle East Technical University
Ankara/Turkey
Bachelor of Architecture, 1996
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MEMBERSHIPS
Turkish Institute of Architects
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Duygu Demirayak CEVIKER is the founding partner of DerinyeÅŸil Architects and the director of the Ankara Office.
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Over 20 years of post graduate experience in Yuksel Proje and SFMM Architects (as a principal designer) she had worked on challenging architectural projects mainly in Russia, Kazakhstan, Iraq, Ukraine and Turkey.
Since 2009,she has been contributing to Derinyesil Architects as a co-founder. Some of the ongoing projects in DerinyeÅŸil Architects’ portfolio are; Gentzrode Development in Berlin, Gordion Altın Orman Residences, Digital Wine Museum and Vineyard House for Urla Åžarapçılık and Renovation of the Turkish State Meteorological Service Headquarters in Ankara.
Believing that creativity and evolution as a designer would best thrive on travelling and experience on site she makes annual trips to the realms of India, Nepal, Vietnam, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Gambia and Jordan. Along with travel writing as the end result of these expeditions she has been studying philosophy as a second university degree thanks to the passion ignited by ‘Iliad and Odyssey’.
Selin OZERTUGRUL OGUTCU, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Co-Founder / Design Director
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EDUCATION
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Master of Architecture, 2000
Middle East Technical University
Ankara/Turkey
Bachelor of Architecture, 1996
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PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Architecture, District of Columbia
LEED Accredited Professional BD+C
FITWELL Ambassador
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MEMBERSHIPS
American Institute of Architects
USGBC
Turkish Institute of Architects
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Selin Ozertugul OGUTCU graduated with honors from Middle East Technical University Department of Architecture in 1996 and completed her graduate studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in United States in 2000.
She worked as a Design Director in Gensler and as a Principal Designer in HOK's Washington DC offices, leading the design and implementation of many projects in US and abroad. In 2001, she joined USGBC (United States Green Building Council) as a member and has been accredited as a LEED AP BD+C, an expert in building design and construction in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. She is also a registered member of American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a FITWEL Ambassador.
Since 2009, she has been continuing her work as a co-founder of Derinyesil Architects. With over 25+ years of professional experience, Mrs. Ogutcu is involved in the architectural and interior design process from planning through development and construction. Her outstanding portfolio includes several award-winning large-scale projects in US, Middle East and Europe, where she has served as an advocate for the design concept throughout the life of projects. She has also been teaching part-time in University of District of Columbia, Izmir Institute of Technology and Izmir Economy University.
But what really sets her apart is her years-long-dedication to creating more equity, diversity and inclusivity in the realms of architecture and design. She’s incredibly passionate about mentorship, as she views fostering relationships with young emerging designers as not only an essential part of our practice but also a deeply fulfilling part of her work. With experience as a visiting professor at two undergraduate programs teaching architecture, identifying a certain curiosity and enthusiasm in others in relation to design comes as second nature to her.
She possesses a strong track record of applying her unique brand of zest and exuberance in her approach to design excellence, and is currently focused on ways to design and build more sustainably.
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