Award-winning architect Melike Altınışık leads MAA, an international practice with offices in Istanbul and Seoul, dedicated to innovative architecture, urbanism, and design. Recognized in RIBA’s 100 Women: Architects in Practice (2024), her work spans masterplans, high-rises, cultural centers, and bespoke interiors, with landmark projects such as the Istanbul TV-Radio Tower and the Seoul Robot and AI Museum, both integrating advanced technology and innovation.
In this interview, Altınışık offers insights into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in architecture, exploring its impact on design practice, the relationship between creativity and computation, and the irreplaceable role of architects in the age of AI. The conversation serves as a prelude to the upcoming BIG Architecture festival in Portorož (May 22–23), where she will be a featured participant in the debate on AI’s influence on the future of architecture.
TV-Radio Tower, Istanbul.
Zala Zia Lenárdič: Architecture has always been a reflection of its time—shaped by evolving tools, technologies, and ways of thinking. From the earliest hand-drawn sketches to today’s intricate digital models, the discipline has continuously adapted to new challenges and possibilities. Yet, as artificial intelligence enters the conversation, we must ask: How will this technological shift redefine the architect’s role? The architectural design process has evolved from traditional sketches to complex digital models driven by vast data sets.
How does your architectural practice approach this evolution, and in what ways does it differ from other methods used in architectural studios today?
Melike Altınışık: First of all, I would like to thank you for inviting me to discuss the evolution of architecture in relation to technology. At MAA, we don’t see design as a battle between tradition and innovation. Rather, we approach it as a dialogue—where nature, technology, and human intuition come together to shape spaces that resonate deeply with our shared humanity.
Throughout history, architects have developed tools and methods to represent and shape space. Today, it is fascinating to reflect on how these philosophies have guided our world and why, even in the age of AI, the architect’s role remains irreplaceable. This, to me, is crucial.
At MAA, our design process does not begin with sketches or raw data. In my view, it starts with a dialogue—first and foremost—between nature, technology, and human intuition. This serves as our foundation, from which we integrate all other tools.
Many architecture studios rely on digital tools primarily for efficiency. However, we see these technologies as more than just tools—they are collaborators in our creative process. At MAA, we treat them as assistants rather than creators. You may be familiar with two of our major projects: the Camlica Tower in Istanbul and the recently opened Seoul Robot and AI Museum.
“We are not just following technological trends—we are exploring how technology can enhance and deepen architecture’s connection with humanity.”
The Camlica Tower, a 369-meter-tall telecommunication structure on the Asian side of Istanbul, challenged us to rethink the entire construction process. Designed over a decade ago, the project required us to integrate form, architecture, and construction methodology seamlessly, necessitating a holistic approach to problem-solving.
Similarly, for the Seoul Robot and AI Museum in South Korea, we employed a highly methodical design approach. This project was not just about designing a building to showcase robotic technologies—it was about embedding smart design and construction methodologies from the outset. BIM systems played a crucial role, allowing us to translate architectural intent directly into off-site smart fabrication. When such processes are integrated from the beginning, rather than applied later, the entire design approach remains intelligent and aligned with technological advancements.
What sets us apart from conventional design studios is our commitment to experimentation and an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Under the MAA umbrella, we also have MAA Lab, our in-house research laboratory, where we develop digital and physical prototypes. Our research spans material systems inspired by natural patterns and fluid geometries, continuously evolving as new knowledge emerges. We are not just following technological trends—we are exploring how technology can enhance and deepen architecture’s connection with humanity.
Seoul Robot and AI Museum.
Tomaž Šimnovec: Instead of introducing artificial intelligence agents in the conventional way, let us focus on a fundamental philosophical question that remains central to AI development: René Descartes’ mind-body problem. Descartes argued that the physical and mental realms are fundamentally distinct. This concept later influenced the computer metaphor, which examines the relationship between software and hardware, much like the relationship between the mind and the brain. In this context, can we say that AI, as a program, lacks the ability to truly experience the physical world in the same way an architect does?
Melike Altınışık: That is an excellent question, and I was genuinely excited to consider how best to respond. It is a complex yet fascinating topic.
Reflecting on Descartes’ mind-body dualism, your question raises an essential point: Can AI, as a program, truly perceive and understand the physical world as humans do? In my view, AI excels at processing existing data but lacks the embodied experience that shapes architectural intuition. It can analyze wind patterns, optimize structural loads, and generate geometric variations, but it cannot feel, observe, or interpret emotional and cultural significance in the same way humans can.
This distinction is crucial. Many people fear AI, but I see it as an invaluable assistant. In today’s world, where time is a rare luxury, AI allows us to work more efficiently. At MAA, we consider AI a co-creator, not the creator. Architects are system builders, designing frameworks within which AI operates. While AI can generate thousands of design variations, it is ultimately the human architect who defines the parameters, makes decisions, and brings cultural depth to the final design.
“AI does not create new ideas; rather, it reveals unseen possibilities.”
For example, when designing the Camlica Tower in Istanbul, we incorporated the city’s topography, wind patterns, and cultural history. AI could analyze data and optimize certain aspects, but it could not grasp the emotional significance of Istanbul’s skyline. Similarly, with the Seoul Robot and AI Museum, our goal was not just to showcase technology but to create an architectural experience that embodies technological advancement. While AI played a significant role in the design and fabrication process, the architectural vision was always guided by human intuition.
In essence, AI operates within the physical realm of data and algorithms, while creativity, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to dream remain uniquely human. AI does not create new ideas; rather, it reveals unseen possibilities. At MAA, we see technology as an extension of human creativity—not a replacement, but a powerful co-creator that enhances our ability to design meaningful, human-centered spaces.
Ultimately, at MAA, we navigate between tradition and futurism—not to create futuristic designs for the sake of aesthetics, but to develop architecture that harmonizes human, technological, and natural elements. This balance is at the core of our philosophy.
Award-winning architect Melike Altınışık leads MAA, an international practice with offices in Istanbul and Seoul, dedicated to innovative architecture, urbanism, and design. Recognized in RIBA’s 100 Women: Architects in Practice (2024), her work spans masterplans, high-rises, cultural centers, and bespoke interiors, with landmark projects such as the Istanbul TV-Radio Tower and the Seoul Robot and AI Museum, both integrating advanced technology and innovation.
In this interview, Altınışık offers insights into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in architecture, exploring its impact on design practice, the relationship between creativity and computation, and the irreplaceable role of architects in the age of AI. The conversation serves as a prelude to the upcoming BIG Architecture festival in Portorož (May 22–23), where she will be a featured participant in the debate on AI’s influence on the future of architecture.
TV-Radio Tower, Istanbul.
Zala Zia Lenárdič: Architecture has always been a reflection of its time—shaped by evolving tools, technologies, and ways of thinking. From the earliest hand-drawn sketches to today’s intricate digital models, the discipline has continuously adapted to new challenges and possibilities. Yet, as artificial intelligence enters the conversation, we must ask: How will this technological shift redefine the architect’s role? The architectural design process has evolved from traditional sketches to complex digital models driven by vast data sets.
How does your architectural practice approach this evolution, and in what ways does it differ from other methods used in architectural studios today?
Melike Altınışık: First of all, I would like to thank you for inviting me to discuss the evolution of architecture in relation to technology. At MAA, we don’t see design as a battle between tradition and innovation. Rather, we approach it as a dialogue—where nature, technology, and human intuition come together to shape spaces that resonate deeply with our shared humanity.
Throughout history, architects have developed tools and methods to represent and shape space. Today, it is fascinating to reflect on how these philosophies have guided our world and why, even in the age of AI, the architect’s role remains irreplaceable. This, to me, is crucial.
At MAA, our design process does not begin with sketches or raw data. In my view, it starts with a dialogue—first and foremost—between nature, technology, and human intuition. This serves as our foundation, from which we integrate all other tools.
Many architecture studios rely on digital tools primarily for efficiency. However, we see these technologies as more than just tools—they are collaborators in our creative process. At MAA, we treat them as assistants rather than creators. You may be familiar with two of our major projects: the Camlica Tower in Istanbul and the recently opened Seoul Robot and AI Museum.
“We are not just following technological trends—we are exploring how technology can enhance and deepen architecture’s connection with humanity.”
The Camlica Tower, a 369-meter-tall telecommunication structure on the Asian side of Istanbul, challenged us to rethink the entire construction process. Designed over a decade ago, the project required us to integrate form, architecture, and construction methodology seamlessly, necessitating a holistic approach to problem-solving.
Similarly, for the Seoul Robot and AI Museum in South Korea, we employed a highly methodical design approach. This project was not just about designing a building to showcase robotic technologies—it was about embedding smart design and construction methodologies from the outset. BIM systems played a crucial role, allowing us to translate architectural intent directly into off-site smart fabrication. When such processes are integrated from the beginning, rather than applied later, the entire design approach remains intelligent and aligned with technological advancements.
What sets us apart from conventional design studios is our commitment to experimentation and an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Under the MAA umbrella, we also have MAA Lab, our in-house research laboratory, where we develop digital and physical prototypes. Our research spans material systems inspired by natural patterns and fluid geometries, continuously evolving as new knowledge emerges. We are not just following technological trends—we are exploring how technology can enhance and deepen architecture’s connection with humanity.
Seoul Robot and AI Museum.
Tomaž Šimnovec: Instead of introducing artificial intelligence agents in the conventional way, let us focus on a fundamental philosophical question that remains central to AI development: René Descartes’ mind-body problem. Descartes argued that the physical and mental realms are fundamentally distinct. This concept later influenced the computer metaphor, which examines the relationship between software and hardware, much like the relationship between the mind and the brain. In this context, can we say that AI, as a program, lacks the ability to truly experience the physical world in the same way an architect does?
Melike Altınışık: That is an excellent question, and I was genuinely excited to consider how best to respond. It is a complex yet fascinating topic.
Reflecting on Descartes’ mind-body dualism, your question raises an essential point: Can AI, as a program, truly perceive and understand the physical world as humans do? In my view, AI excels at processing existing data but lacks the embodied experience that shapes architectural intuition. It can analyze wind patterns, optimize structural loads, and generate geometric variations, but it cannot feel, observe, or interpret emotional and cultural significance in the same way humans can.
This distinction is crucial. Many people fear AI, but I see it as an invaluable assistant. In today’s world, where time is a rare luxury, AI allows us to work more efficiently. At MAA, we consider AI a co-creator, not the creator. Architects are system builders, designing frameworks within which AI operates. While AI can generate thousands of design variations, it is ultimately the human architect who defines the parameters, makes decisions, and brings cultural depth to the final design.
“AI does not create new ideas; rather, it reveals unseen possibilities.”
For example, when designing the Camlica Tower in Istanbul, we incorporated the city’s topography, wind patterns, and cultural history. AI could analyze data and optimize certain aspects, but it could not grasp the emotional significance of Istanbul’s skyline. Similarly, with the Seoul Robot and AI Museum, our goal was not just to showcase technology but to create an architectural experience that embodies technological advancement. While AI played a significant role in the design and fabrication process, the architectural vision was always guided by human intuition.
In essence, AI operates within the physical realm of data and algorithms, while creativity, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to dream remain uniquely human. AI does not create new ideas; rather, it reveals unseen possibilities. At MAA, we see technology as an extension of human creativity—not a replacement, but a powerful co-creator that enhances our ability to design meaningful, human-centered spaces.
Ultimately, at MAA, we navigate between tradition and futurism—not to create futuristic designs for the sake of aesthetics, but to develop architecture that harmonizes human, technological, and natural elements. This balance is at the core of our philosophy.
Curators:
Tomaž Šimnovec & Zala Zia Lenárdič
Portrait & Photos:
NAARO, Namsun Lee, and archive MAA
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