Dürrin Ulema

Dürrin Ulema

Architect | Co-Founder

We established Ulema ve Ulema Architecture in 1996 together with my husband and partner, Necdet. We incorporated the principles we learned during our undergraduate studies at Dokuz Eylül University's Department of Architecture, emphasizing creativity while responding to practical needs and allowing function to support form, into designs that tell their own stories.

My master's education in Building Construction Management at Istanbul Technical University's Department of Architecture directed my work toward project management. My seven years of middle and high school education at the American Collegiate Institute in İzmir, guided by the motto “Enter to learn, depart to serve,” instilled in me an awareness of lifelong learning, foreign language proficiency, perseverance, and the discipline to see things through in both my professional and social life. Alongside my professional career, I studied Business Management through Anadolu University's Open Education Faculty, gaining foundational knowledge of law and financial literacy. I am currently an associate degree student in Culinary Arts at the same university. In addition to English, I speak German and Italian.

I am a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in İzmir, the İzmir Association of Independent Architects (İzmirSMD), the Association for Supporting Contemporary Life, the Friends of Olives Association, and the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council. I have served on the boards of directors of both the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in İzmir and the İzmir Association of Independent Architects. I am the President of the Board of Directors of İzmirSMD for its 11th term.

I am a founding board member of the Federation of Associations of Independent Architects. I served as Vice President during its first term and Secretary during its second term. I am the Treasurer of the Board of Directors for its third term.

I serve on educational advisory boards at higher education institutions.

My profession is architecture, and I also work professionally as a farmer. I am engaged in agriculture and the culinary arts.