
In this series of interviews, we meet the finalists shortlisted for the 2024 Women in Architecture and Construction Award. These women have made outstanding contributions to architecture and the built environment across the Near East and North Africa. The award features two categories: Rising Star and Woman of Outstanding Achievement.
This interview features Lebriz Atan Karaatlı, who co-founded KAAT Architecture + Urban and has gained significant recognition for her work. Her work reflects a deep understanding of context and culture, creating aesthetically compelling and highly functional spaces. She was educated at Istanbul Technical University and holds dual degrees in architecture and interior design.
Here, Lebriz will discuss her architectural journey, focusing on her experiences balancing local traditions with innovation, her role in post-earthquake housing solutions, the challenges young architects face, and the evolution of her practice while offering advice to aspiring professionals.
Could you give us a brief introduction about yourself and your work?
I’m Lebriz Atan Karaatlı, an architect and co-founder of KAAT Architecture + Urban. My architectural journey in architecture began at Istanbul Technical University, where I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in architecture and interior architecture. After gaining professional experience and travelling across Southern Europe and Latin America, I co-founded KAAT Architecture + Urban with Sacit Arda KARAATLI. Over the years, our work has been recognised nationally and internationally, including winning over 30 awards. Our practice focuses on innovative design that harmonises artistic vision with practical functionality. We’ve been fortunate to be recognised internationally for our work, including nominations for the Europa40Under40 and ArchDaily’s Building of the Year awards.
Tell us more about your current role and key responsibilities.
As co-founder of KAAT Architecture, I oversee design processes from conceptualisation to realisation. My role involves leading a talented team through competitions and projects, ensuring our designs are not only innovative but also contextually sensitive. I also engage with clients, manage key partnerships, and curate collaborations that push the boundaries of what architecture can achieve, ensuring we maintain a high standard of creativity and execution.
Your architectural journey has taken you across various regions. How has this influenced your approach to balancing local traditions with innovation?
Travelling and working in different regions have given me a deep appreciation for the local culture and its influence on architecture. Whether it was the classical architecture of Southern Europe or the vibrant urban environments in Latin America, each region shaped my understanding of how tradition can coexist with modernity. I approach each project by carefully integrating local traditions, but I believe innovation should enhance rather than overshadow them. The key is finding harmony between the two. Each project is an opportunity to create a dialogue between the past and the future.
Your architectural journey has taken you across various regions. How has this influenced your approach to balancing local traditions with innovation?
Travelling and working in different regions have given me a deep appreciation for the local culture and its influence on architecture. Whether it was the classical architecture of Southern Europe or the vibrant urban environments in Latin America, each region shaped my understanding of how tradition can coexist with modernity. I approach each project by carefully integrating local traditions, but I believe innovation should enhance rather than overshadow them. The key is finding harmony between the two. Each project is an opportunity to create a dialogue between the past and the future.
Your work after the earthquakes in Turkey focused on temporary housing. How do you balance urgent disaster relief with creating community spaces?
In disaster scenarios, there’s an urgency to provide immediate shelter, but creating spaces that foster a sense of community and belonging is equally important. This balancing is, I believe, the biggest challenge. In our work after the earthquakes, our team at KAAT approached the problem with a community-first mindset. Instead of viewing temporary housing as just shelter, we created spaces that felt like home—integrating simple elements like olive trees, small gathering spots and familiar pockets of space where people could personalise their environment. Despite the circumstances, we aimed to offer a sense of home, belonging and normalcy by embedding communal areas and simple play spaces.
Could you share a project where your team challenged conventional approaches and fostered innovation?
One project where we challenged conventional approaches was the Erenköy Hospital for Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases, for which we won first prize in a national competition. This project challenged the conventional hospital design by integrating architecture with nature. Instead of isolating the hospital and the patients from the surroundings, we created a therapeutic space where they could interact with nature by placing the hospital within a dense pine forest. Our innovative construction methods minimised damage to the tree roots, ensuring the natural environment remained intact while providing patients with a healing, restorative space. This approach won the competition and received widespread recognition for its sensitive design, which puts patient well-being and ecological preservation at the forefront.

What are the biggest challenges for young architects, and how can they maintain creativity and integrity?
One of the biggest challenges for young architects is navigating the industry’s expectations while trying to hold onto their creative identity. It’s easy to get caught up in trends and become discouraged by commercial pressures or client demands that may compromise your vision. I advise staying true to your core design philosophy and focusing on projects that align with your values. Always challenge yourself and the status quo, and never lose sight of your design principles. By staying true to your vision, creativity and integrity can go hand in hand.
How do you ensure your designs meet immediate and long-term community needs?
We, as KAAT believe in designing with flexibility and adaptability in mind. A space should be able to evolve as the community grows and changes. In the short term, our designs address immediate functionality and accessibility, but we also prioritise sustainability and resilience to ensure the space remains relevant for future generations. Continuous community engagement throughout the design process is also key to understanding long-term needs.
Can you share a challenge you overcame in your career that, looking back, highlights your persistence and determination?
One of the most significant challenges I faced was starting my firm at a young age. Establishing KAAT Architecture + Urban required technical expertise and the ability to navigate the complexities of running a business. There were moments of uncertainty, but our persistence in pursuing meaningful projects, even in competitive environments, kept us moving forward. Winning awards gave us the confidence and determination to continue challenging ourselves and staying true to our vision, eventually leading to opportunities aligned with our design philosophy.
What projects are you most excited about, and how do you see your practice evolving?
I’m particularly excited about projects that explore adaptive reuse and sustainability. Currently, we’re working on projects that transform historic buildings into modern, functional spaces while preserving their original character. I see our practice continuing to evolve towards creating ecologically responsible architecture deeply connected to the community. We are exploring the integration of new technologies and materials that will enable us to create more dynamic, interactive spaces that respond to the needs of both users and the environment. We approach each project as an opportunity to learn and experience new subjects, locations and building techniques. I’m also passionate about mentoring the next generation of architects through our practice and academic contributions.
What advice would you give architecture students or young professionals starting their careers?
My advice is to embrace every opportunity to learn, especially from failure. The key is to be patient and persistent. Don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment with your ideas; invest time in understanding the fundamentals. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you to grow. Work on building a solid foundation of technical skills while staying open to creative exploration. Most importantly, find your voice in design and stay true to it, even when faced with challenges, because I believe that will set you apart in the long run.
Meet our other finalists: Amal Abuelhawa, Hana Alamuddin, Ula Merie, Hala Asslan, Eman Shafiq Mohamed Assi, Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin, Sumaya Dabbagh, Rania Kaadan, Shatha Safi.
Meet Our Finalists series is a compilation of interviews with those who have been shortlisted for our awards. Lebriz Atan Karaatlı is a finalist for the Women in Architecture and Construction Award, which recognises women who have made outstanding contributions to architecture and the built environment across the Near East and North Africa.