EKŞİOĞLU URBAN TRANSFORMATION OFFICE
THE SAFE PATH TO TRANSFORMATION
From high-risk buildings to a safe and prestigious life — we're with you at every step of the transformation.
ABOUT US
A LIFETIME DEVOTED TO ARCHITECTURE
With more than 35 years of experience, Ekşioğlu Transformation Office turns high-risk buildings into the prestigious living spaces of the future.
Urban transformation is essential for our country, which lies on an earthquake belt and has a large stock of high-risk buildings in urgent need of renewal — yet it is a delicate, multi-stage process in which every stage demands both experience and disciplined management.
We know every step the process requires — above all zoning and planning, architecture, construction and law — and carry each one out with experience and care.
ARCHITECT
Aysel Can Ekşi
Yıldız Technical University
PERSONAL DETAILS
- Year of birth 1966
- Place of birth Fatsa, Ordu
- Residence Sultantepe, Üsküdar, Istanbul
- Marital status Married, mother of one daughter
- Profession Architect
- Areas of expertise Architecture, restoration, urban transformation, real estate appraisal and urban design
EDUCATION
- Primary school Fatsa Dumlupınar Primary School
- 1978 Moved with her family to Beykoz, Istanbul.
- 1980 Graduated from Beykoz Ziya Ünsel Secondary School.
- 1983 Graduated from Beykoz Paşabahçe Ferit İnal High School.
- 1990 Graduated as an architect from the Faculty of Architecture, Yıldız Technical University.
- 2018 Completed the Master's Programme in Real Estate Appraisal and Urban Transformation at Istanbul Commerce University.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
- 1991 Founded Çivi Mimarlık in Üsküdar and began her architectural practice.
- 1991 onwards Signed numerous projects in Turkey and abroad in the restoration of historic buildings, urban design, spatial design, housing and tourism facilities.
- 1991 onwards Received various awards for her architectural projects.
- Architect of record for the CHP Üsküdar District Building.
- Managed the transition to condominium ownership for many buildings and housing estates.
- 2013 onwards Focused on urban transformation, developing block-based transformation projects in particular.
- 2013 onwards Worked on projects to reduce earthquake risk, improve quality of life and meet the needs of contemporary urbanisation.
- Today Continues her professional practice as an independent architect.
CIVIL SOCIETY AND PUBLIC SERVICE
- 1991 Took part in the social responsibility projects of the Turkish Women's Council in Beykoz.
- 1995–2000 Founding President of the Beykoz Branch of the Consumer Protection Association (TÜKODER).
- 1995–2020 Member of the Consumer Arbitration Committee of the Beykoz District Governorship.
- 1999–2001 President of the Beykoz Branch of Halkevleri (People's Houses).
- 1999 Took part in the damage assessment carried out by the Chamber of Architects (TMMOB) after the Gölcük earthquake.
- 2000–2006 Executive of the Anatolia 1st BKBT, Istanbul Metropolitan Branch of the Chamber of Architects (TMMOB).
- 2006–2010 Again President of the TÜKODER Beykoz Branch.
- 2010–2020 Deputy Chair of TÜKODER.
- 2011 Took part in the Chamber of Architects' damage assessment after the Van earthquake.
- 2012–2016 Deputy Chair of the Assembly of the Ekşioğlu Foundation.
- 2016–2018 Deputy Chair of the Federation of Consumer Associations (TÜDEF).
- 2016–2019 Founding member and board member of the Güzel Ordu Culture and Arts Association.
- 2017–2019 Board member and treasurer of the Anatolia 1st BKBT, Istanbul Metropolitan Branch of the Chamber of Architects (TMMOB).
- 2021 onwards President of the Halkevleri Beykoz Branch.
- 2021 onwards Chair of the Board of the Construction and Women Association (İVKAD).
- 2023 Took part in damage assessment as an expert witness of the Ministry of Justice after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
- 2023 onwards Founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Güzel Ordu Culture and Arts Foundation.
- 2023 onwards Member of the High Advisory Board of the Eurasian Businesspeople Association (ASİAD).
- 2023 onwards Member of the Y.Y. Board of the Federation of Women's Associations of Turkey.
- Prepared technical reports for numerous court cases as an expert witness of the Ministry of Justice.
POLITICAL WORK
- Late 1970s Influenced by the local government work and social solidarity movements of the Fikri Sönmez era in Fatsa, she began to shape her political and social views.
- 2009–2013 Education Secretary and Deputy District Chair for Local Government on the CHP Üsküdar District Board.
- 2014 Ran for the CHP nomination for Mayor of Üsküdar in the local elections.
- 2014–2018 Member for Zoning and Urbanism on the CHP Üsküdar District Board.
- 2015–2017 Continued as Member for Zoning and Urbanism on the CHP Üsküdar District Board.
CERTIFICATES AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Architecture, Urban Transformation and Disaster Management
- Boğaziçi University – Disaster Preparedness and Structural Earthquake Awareness Train-the-Trainer Programme
- Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and London South Bank University – Postgraduate Certificate in International Urban Regeneration Studies
- Sustainable Urban Regeneration – Developments in the UK and EU Concepts and Practice
- London: Sustainable Regeneration of a World City
- Legal and Administrative Framework of Urban Renewal in Turkey
- Proposals for an Urban Regeneration Model for Turkey
- Professional Chamber Expert Witness Training Programme
Education and Communication
- Marmara University Faculty of Technical Education – Teaching Certificate
- Certified Speed Reading Training
- Diction and Broadcasting Training
- CHP Headquarters – Communication and Motivation Training
Local Government, Politics and Leadership
- CHP Headquarters – Party School Basic Member Training Programme
- Bahçeşehir University – School of Government and Leadership Certificate Programme
- Bahçeşehir University – Election Campaign Methods Training
- Social Democracy Foundation (SODEV) – Local Government School
- Training Programme for Local Government Candidates
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND FIELDS OF WORK
- Architectural design and implementation
- Conservation and restoration of historic buildings
- Urban transformation and block-based planning
- Real estate appraisal
- Urban design and spatial planning
- Earthquake risk analysis and damage assessment
- Technical expert witness work and reporting
- Management of condominium ownership processes
- Housing and tourism facility projects
- Sustainable urbanisation and improving quality of life
ARCHITECT
Raşit Kayserilioğlu
Yıldız Technical University
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INTERIOR ARCHITECT
Yunusemre Ekşi
Okan University
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OUR SERVICES
TRANSFORMATION PROCESS STEPS
STEP 1
Preliminary Agreement
Because urban transformation is demanding and involves many risks, owners are only willing to proceed once they are well informed. Otherwise most hold back, disputes wear down neighborly relations, the solution drifts further away, and a great deal of morale and time is lost.
We inform you about the transformation process and your options so you can move forward, and help you reach a preliminary consensus among yourselves.
STEP 2
Zoning Analysis
At this stage we research and report on how far the current zoning conditions support the transformation.
If the current zoning conditions fall short, we also present the alternatives for how they could be improved.
STEP 3
Transformation Potential Analysis
By evaluating all the data of the process together — the zoning analysis, the drawings of your existing building, government incentives and location-based potential — we identify your transformation options.
At this stage we also determine your current and new net/gross areas so you can compare them.
STEP 4
Preliminary Architectural Design
Now that your preferred option is clear, we prepare the “preliminary architectural design” that confirms the zoning conditions and have it approved by the municipality.
Because this design confirms both the agreement among you and that the municipality will grant a permit, you can collect and compare contractor offers with far more confidence.
STEP 5
Collecting Contractor Offers
We review and compare the offers you receive and help you choose the one that suits you best.
On request, we can also recommend contractors you can request offers from.
STEP 6
Majority Agreement
We help you take an official urban transformation decision.
STEP 7
Contractor Pre-Agreement
We help you sign an agreement with your chosen contractor that mirrors the notarized contract you will sign after the risky building assessment (between yourselves, without notarization).
STEP 8
Risky Building Assessment
With agreement reached among you, municipal approval in sight, and the contractor and terms settled, you can now see the road ahead and move confidently to the “risky building assessment” stage.
This stage is usually handled by the contractor.
STEP 9
Notarized Contractor Agreement
A notarized construction contract is signed between the owners and the contractor.
On request, we provide contract support at this stage.
STEP 10
Evacuation and Demolition
Once the risky building assessment is complete, your building is evacuated and demolished.
This stage is usually handled by the contractor.
STEP 11
Building Permit
On request, we prepare the designs and reports required to obtain the construction permit from the municipality and follow up the permit process.
Depending on your agreement, the contractor may also provide the services for this stage.
STEP 12
Construction
The construction carried out by the contractor is supervised by a building inspection firm.
On request, we can provide this service as well.
STEP 13