Idil's Portfolio

Dr. Idil Ayral

Architect, Architectural Historian

Assistant Professor

The University of Utah Asia Campus City and Metropolitan Planning

Dr. Idil Ayral

İdil Ayral was born in 1985 in Istanbul, Turkiye.

After graduating from Department of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University in 2010, she completed her master’s degree in 2012 in Department of Architectural History at the same university. Her research focused on the 19^th century Ottoman architecture and gardens which was consequently published as a book in 2020.

In 2010, she worked as a researcher in the “Architecture and Design Archive Project” of Garanti Contemporary Art Centre, followed by her position as architect and designer in several architectural offices.

In 2012, she became teaching and research assistant in the Architecture Department of Fatih Sultan Mehmet University. She continued this position until moving to Spain in 2013 for her doctoral studies in History Department of Pompeu Fabra University (Universitat Pompeu Fabra).

She obtained her doctoral degree in 2018 (with Excellent “cum laude” honour). Her PhD research focused on contemporary urban history of Barcelona, titled as “The Emergence of Public Space in Barcelona throughout the 20th Century”. During her doctoral study, she carried out research projects as a member of the research group INVBAC (The Invention of the City: Memory, Visuality and Cultural Transfer in Contemporary Barcelona) and gave special lectures on urban history.

She worked as a visiting professor in University of Seoul, Urban Design and Planning Department, giving lectures in graduate and undergraduate levels on urban design and planning, public space, urban culture, city branding, urban regeneration, sustainability, climate change and cities, eco-design, and smart city. During this period, she was also the Chairman of the International Exchange Committee of Architectural Design Institute of Korea (ADIK) and member of University of Seoul Big Data AI Research Centre.

In 2022, she joined Mirae Environment Plan & Architects as the Team Manager of the Architectural Design Department and worked on green remodelling projects. She also contributed to the international architectural magazine C3 as a writer and copyeditor.

She is currently working as assistant professor in City and Metropolitan Planning in the University of Utah Asia Campus in Songdo, South Korea.

Learning several languages such as Portuguese, Catalan, Spanish, and Korean, and her long-term secondary career in music have played an important role in her life abroad and her adaptation to various cultures and societies.

Work Experience

2023 ~.. The University of Utah, Asia Campus, Songdo, South Korea (Assistant Professor in City and Metropolitan Planning)
2022 ~ 2023 Mirae Environment Plan Architects & Planners Co. Ltd., Seoul, South Korea (Architect, Team Manager in Architectural Design Department)
2019 ~ 2022 – University of Seoul (UOS), Seoul, South Korea (Visiting Professor)
2014 ~ 2017 – INVBAC [The City Invented: Memory, Visuality and Cultural Transfer in Contemporary Barcelona] Research Group, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain (Researcher – Project funded by The Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport)
2012 ~ 2013 – Fatih Sultan Mehmet University (FSMVU), İstanbul, Turkiye (Assistant Professor)
2011 ~ 2012 – Mimat Architecture [Mimat Mimarlık], İstanbul, Turkiye (Architect – Architectural design, projects, drawings, visual presentations)
2010 – Idea Architecture [Idea Mimarlık], İstanbul, Turkiye (Architect – Architectural design, projects, drawings, visual presentations)
2010 – Gül Bozantı Architecture [Gül Bozantı Mimarlık], İstanbul, Turkiye (Architect – Architectural design, projects, drawings, visual presentations)
2010 – Garanti Gallery and Garanti Platform Contemporary Art Centre, İstanbul, Turkiye (Researcher – Garanti Gallery Architecture and Design Database Project)

Education

Doctoral Degree [Excellent “cum laude” honour]
2013 ~ 2018 – Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Department of Humanities, History Program, Barcelona, Spain
PhD thesis: “The Emergence of Public Space in Barcelona throughout the 20th Century”
Master’s Degree
2010 ~ 2012 – Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Graduate School of Science, Engineering and Technology, History of Architecture Program, Istanbul, Turkiye
MSc thesis: “19th Century Garden Kiosks of İstanbul”
Bachelor’s Degree
2005 ~ 2010 – Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Architecture Department, Istanbul, Turkiye
2007 ~ 2008 – Universidade do Minho, Architecture Department, Guimarães, Portugal
[Erasmus exchange program]

Workshop, Exhibition, Volunteering, Supervising

2022 ~ 2023 – C3 architectural magazine, Seoul, South Korea – Writer, Copyeditor
2022 – Best Architecture 2022 [Spain & Korea], Seoul, South Korea
International architectural exhibition – Selection Committee Jury Member, Public Relations and Communication, Organization Assistant
2022 – Archi Collection, Seoul, South Korea
Architectural auction event and exhibition – Public Relations and Communication, Organization Assistant
2022 – Liberty in North Korea NGO, Seoul, South Korea
LiNK English Language Volunteering Program – Language Instructor
2021 ~ 2022 – Archild, Seoul, South Korea
Architectural design education for kids – Researcher, Instructor
2018 – UPF Barcelona School of Management, Barcelona, Spain
Laberint Festival, “Sentir – Feeling the City” Workshop – Researcher, Instructor
2017 – Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad: CASA, Barcelona, Spain
“Parks and Gardens of Barcelona” Workshop – Researcher, Instructor
2014 ~ 2018 – TransPerfect, Barcelona, Spain
Voice over recording sessions – Supervisor
2013 – Chamber of Architects of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkiye
“Urban Dreams” Workshop – Instructor

Institutional Membership

Architectural Design Institute of Korea (ADIK) – Chairman of the International Exchange Committee
University of Seoul Big Data AI Research Centre member
2020 Seoul Tourism Organization Global Seoul Mate delegation member

Language

English : Advanced
Spanish : Advanced
Korean : Upper-Intermediate
Catalan : Upper-Intermediate
Portuguese : Intermediate
Turkish : Mother tongue

Social Participation

2019 ~ … Member of WeCapella (Acapella group)
2015 ~ 2018 – Singer of Lokma (Mediterranean fusion music)
2015 ~2018 – Singer of Trio Feta (Traditional Greek music)
2015 ~ 2016 – Singer of Urban Music (Pop-rock)
2015 – Musical theatre lessons in Centre Civic Cotxeres Borell
2011 ~ 2012 – Keyboardist of Eternaphobia (Post-rock)
2009 ~ 2010 – Founder and singer of Da Niska (Pop-rock) and concerts
2008 ~ 2009 – Acting lessons in Sadri Alışık Cultural Centre
2008 – Concerts in Portugal with a repertoire of Turkish songs
2007 – Acting lessons in Metin Zakoğlu Theatre
2005 ~ 2006 – Singing in Balcon Live Pub, Istanbul
2005 – Istanbul University Acting Workshops
2003 ~ 2004 – MC of high school graduation ceremonies
2002 – Acting in İzmir Bornova Anatolian High School theatre play
2000 ~ 2002 – Musical education in Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory Flute Department
1997 ~ 2000 – Piano training in İzmir Köprü Fine Arts centre and recitals

Areas of Interest

Architecture, Garden History, Urban History, Architectural History
Eco-design, Smart City, Sustainability, Climate Change
Literature, Music, Performing Arts
Pottery, illustration
Travel
Photography
Korean Culture