Yılmaz Deger, born in Istanbul in 1956, completed Kabatas High School in 1973. In 1981, he graduated from the İstanbul State Fine Arts Academy with a master’s degree in architecture. Between 1981-1987, while continuing his education abroad, he worked for several architectural offices in Zurich and Paris.

In 1987, as a founding partner he formed the LOTUS Architectural firm in Istanbul. He continued his architectural and interior design work on office buildings, houses, hotels, shopping centers, entertainment centers and restoration projects in this office until 2014. Today, he continues his architectural work outside of Turkey through the DEGER Design Architektur GmbH firm he established in Switzerland as a founding partner in 1997. Furthermore, since 2015, he has been working for the YILMAZ DEGER Architectural Design firm he also established in Istanbul. He began teaching at Yildız Technical University in 2009 as a lecturer on Architectural Project Design and has continued his educational work at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University regularly since 2013.

In 1983, he won the Chamber of Architects and Jury’s Special Awards in a concept project competition organized by the Aga Khan Foundation for architecture students. In 2012, in a competition organized by the Turkish Ready Mixed Concrete Association (THBB) and Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) for their Architects of the Year Awards, he won the “First Prize Equivalent” Award for his Sabiha Gökcen International Airport My Technic MRO project. He has participated in many national and international architectural project competitions and received awards in a variety of different categories since.

In 2017, he became one of the founding members of the Istanbul Architecture and Urbanism Research Academy – AURA Istanbul, a non-profit institution. Today, he continues to contribute to the academy as the vice chairperson of the board of directors as well as lecturer.

Married to Meral Deger

Yilmaz Deger Architecture & Design is an architectural design office focused on various areas ranging from architecture, restoration, interior, and public space. The range of the office work is international.

Awards & Prizes

2021

  • BUYUKADA PHAETON SQUARE URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION, Urban Design Competition 2nd Mention, Istanbul.

2020

  • BURSA HANLAR REGION CARSIBASI URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION, Urban Design Competition Purchase Prize, Bursa.
  • TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION, Urban Design Competition Finalist, Istanbul.

References

2021

  • BUYUKADA PHAETON SQUARE URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION, Urban Design Competition, Istanbul.
  • SOCIAL CENTER ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT COMPETITION, Elderly Club, Architectural Competition Entry, Istanbul.
  • SOCIAL CENTER ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT COMPETITION, Soup Kitchen, Architectural Competition Entry, Istanbul.

2020

  • BURSA HANLAR REGION CARSIBASI URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION, Urban Design Competition Purchase Prize, Bursa.
  • COMMEMORATING MIMAR SINAN IN USKUDAR, Urban Design Competition, Istanbul.
  • TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION, Urban Design Competition Finalist, Istanbul.
  • KADIKOY SQUARE URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION, Urban Design Competition Entry, Istanbul
  • DATASSIST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY OFFICE,   Branch Office Interior Design Project & Construction, Istanbul, 400 m2.

2019

  • ITU BUSINESS FACULTY PROJECT ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION, Architectural Competition Entry, Istanbul.
  • KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL AND VISITOR CENTER ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT COMPETITION, Architectural Competition Entry, Luleburgaz.
  • DATASSIST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY OFFICE,  Interior Design Project & Construction, Izmir, Bursa & Eskisehir Branch Offices.
  • DATASSIST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY OFFICE,   Technopark, Interior Design Project & Construction, Samsun, 200 m2.

2018

  • ST. GALLEN, KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY SCHOOL, Architectural Competition, St. Gallen, Switzerland, 1800 m2.
  • KURUCESME DEGER HOUSE, Historical Wooden House Reconstruction Project, Kurucesme, Bosphorus Istanbul, 180 m2.
  • YILMAZ DEGER HOUSE, Historical Stone House Restoration Project, Adatepe, Canakkale, Turkey, 130 m2.
  • GROTHEERHAUS, Single Family  House and Art Gallery, Preliminary Design Project, Worpswede, Germany, 615 m2.
  • KAYSERI GOVERNMENT OFFICE & SOCIAL, CULTURAL CENTRE, Architectural Competition Entry, Kayseri, Turkey, 5000 m2.
  • CANAKKALE MUNICIPALITY BAZAAR, LIFE CENTER, PARKING & CLOSE NEIGHBOR AREA NATIONAL PROJECT COMPETITION, Architectural Competition Entry, Canakkale, Turkey, 11.000 m2.

2017

  • WOLFHAUSEN, Apartment Building, Architectural Design Project, Zurich, Switzerland, 1.500 m2.
  • PUBLIC PARK LANDSPACE AND WATER FEATURE, Design Project Competition, Zurich, Switzerland.

2016

  • CAFERAGA SPORT AND CULTURAL CENTER, Competition Entry, Kadıkoy, Istanbul, 5.000 m2.
  • HISTORICAL TOKATLIYAN HOTEL, Restoration & Construction, Karakoy, Istanbul, 400 m2.

2015

  • DATASSIST OFFICE, Interior Design Project & Construction, Karakoy, Istanbul, 400 m2.

2013

  • ZIGG FAMILY SUMMER HOUSE IN BODRUM, Architectural Design Project & Construction,  Bodrum, Turkey,  300 m2.

2012

  • MAUSOLEUM AND  MUSEUM OF RAUF RAIF DENKTAS, Architectural Competition Entry Lefkosa, Turkısh Republic of Noterthem Cyplus.
  • ANSEN SUITES, Boutique Hotel, Interior Design Project & Construction, Tunel, Istanbul, 1000 m2
  • HOUSE IN CIRAGAN, Restauration & Renovation Project, Cıragan, Istanbul, 300 m2
  • OPERA SUITES, Architectural Renovation Project & Construction, Galatasaray, Istanbul, 350 m2
  • STONE HOUSE IN ADATEPE, Restauration & Renovation Project, Adatepe, Canakkale, Turkey, 260 m2
  • MY TECHNIC AIRCRAFT MRO SERVICES, Airport  Office, Architectural Design Project, Yesilkoy, Istanbul, 700 m2
  • ACT CARGO AIRLINES, Airport Office, Architectural Design Project, Ataturk Airport, Yesilkoy, Istanbul, 500 m2

2011

  • TURKCELL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, Interior Design Project & Construction, Tepebasi, Istanbul, 2.400 m2
  • TURKCELL FLAGSHIP STORE, Conceptual Design Proposal
  • C. & H. OERER HOUSE IN ZURICH, Preliminary Design Project, Zurich, Switzerland, 800 m2
  • KALAMIS HOUSING BLOCK, Architectural Design Project & Construction Management, Kalamis, Istanbul, 2.250 m2

2010

  • A. UCA HOUSE IN BURGAZADA, Restauration & Renovation Project & Construction, Burgazada, Istanbul, 200 m2
  • D. & R. SIGG HOUSE IN ISTANBUL, Interior Design Project & Construction, Bostancı, Istanbul, 180 m2
  • TURKCELL TECHNOLOGY SHOWROOM,  Preliminary Design Project, Gebze, Istanbul, 1.000 m2
  • TURKCELL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, Interior Design Project, Tepebasi, Istanbul, 2.400 m2
  • E. ARAL STONE COUNTRY HOUSE, Restauration & Renovation Project & Construction  Management, Malatya, Turkey, 400 m2
  • O. POLATOGLU HOUSE, Interior Design Project & Construction, Besiktas, Istanbul, 200 m2

2009

  • MY TECHNIC AIRCRAFT MRO Branch Office, Architectural Design & Construction Management, Ataturk International Airport, Istanbul,  750 m2
  • VITZNAU TERRACE HOUSES, Architectural Design Project, Luzern, Switzerland, 2.200 m2
  • LITTLE NORWAY IN TURKEY, Conceptual Design Proposal, Koycegiz, Mugla, Turkey, 250.000 m2

2008

  • ERBIL AIRCRAFT MRO HANGAR , Preliminary Design Project, Erbil, Northern Iraq, 13.500 m2

2007

  • TURKCELL TECHNOLOGY CENTER, Extension Building Project, Gebze, Istanbul.
  • MY TECHNIC AIRCRAFT MRO HANGAR, Architectural Design Project & Construction Management, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Istanbul, 60.000 m2
  • AKASYA HOUSING BLOCKS, Mass Housing, Architectural Design Project & Construction, Tokat, Turkey, 21.000 m2
  • AQUACITY, Mass Housing, Preliminary Design Project, Kiev, Ukraine, 14.000 m2

2006

  • ACT CARGO AIRLINES, Headquarters Office, Interior Design Project & Construction, Yesilkoy, Istanbul, 1.400 m2
  • TURKCELL ACADEMY, Interior Design Project & Construction Management, Beyoglu, Istanbul, 4.000 m2
  • TURKCELL FLAGSHIP STORE, Conceptual Design Proposal
  • TURKCELL OFFICE BLOCK IN GALATASARAY, Interior Design Project, Galatasaray, Istanbul, 1.200 m2
  • THE LIFE-CO DETOX CENTER, Alternative Health Center, Preliminary Design Project, Burgazada, Istanbul, 1.000 m2
  • YASAR DEGER HOUSE, Architectural Design Project, Zurich, Switzerland, 900 m2
  • SAF RESTAURANT, Interior Design Project & Construction, Tunel, Istanbul, 200 m2

2005

  • TURKCELL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, Architectural Design Project, Kozyatagi, Istanbul, 45.000 m2
  • TURKCELL MALTEPE PLAZA, Interior Design Project & Construction, Maltepe, Istanbul, 1.500 m2
  • MEYRAND HOUSE, Restauration & Renovation Project & Construction, Kuzguncuk, Istanbul, 200 m2
  • HOUSE TORLEN, Residential Building, Project and Construction, Staefa-Zurich, Switzerland, 220 m2
  • DEGER HOUSE, Interior Design Project & Construction, Salacak, Istanbul, 200 m2

2004

  • ANSEN SUITES, Boutique Hotel, Restoration & Renovation Project & Construction, Tunel, Istanbul, 1300 m2
  • ANSEN BEACH CLUB, Restaurant–Bar, Architectural Design Project & Construction, Bodrum, Mugla, Turkey, 400 m2

2003

  • CASABLANCA CENTER, Apart-Hotel Complex (including shopping facilities), Architectural Design Project, Casablanca, Morocco, 37.500 m2
  • KUPERMAN HOUSE, Restauration & Renovation Project & Construction, Kuzguncuk, Istanbul, 210 m2

2002

  • CREAWORLD ERICSSON, Office & Showroom, Interior Design Proposal Project, Tunis, Tunisia, 1.850 m2
  • TURKCELL AIRPORT KIOSKS, Travelling Trailer and Showroom,  Conceptual Design Proposals

2001

  • CLUB ROSMARIN, Restaurant–Bar and Landscape Design, Architectural Design Project & Construction, Gocek, Mugla, Turkey
  • CONSULATE GENERAL OF FRANCE, Service Entrance and Courtyard Renovation, Architectural Design Project & Construction, Taksim, Istanbul, 500 m2
  • TURKCELL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, System Rooms Renovation, Interior Design Project & Construction,    Tepebasi, Istanbul, 500 m2

2000

  • CREAWORLD ERICSSON, Office & Showroom, Interior Design Project & Construction, Maslak, Istanbul, 2.500 m2
  • ERICSSON, Office & Showroom, Conceptual Design Proposal, Turk Telekom Network Building, Istanbul
  • TURKCELL-EXTRA SHOPS, Conceptual Design Proposal
  • TURKCELL MALTEPE PLAZA, Entrance Hall, Cafeteria and VIP Lounges, Interior Design Project & Construction, Maltepe, Istanbul, 800 m2
  • TURKCELL NCC, Network Control Center, Interior Design Project & Construction, Maltepe, Istanbul, 1.100 m2
  • TURKCELL ANKARA PLAZA, Entrance Hall, Cafeteria and VIP Lounges, Interior Design Project & Construction, Cankaya, Ankara, 2.000 m2
  • CASABLANCA CENTER, Apart-Hotel Complex (including shopping facilities), Architectural Design Project, Casablanca, Morocco, 37.500 m2
  • POLAT TOWER RESIDENCE, Entrance Hall and Lounge, Interior Design Project, Besiktas, Istanbul, 350 m2

1999

  • ALTHEIMER & GRAY HEADQUARTERS OFFICE IN ISTANBUL, Interior Design Project & Construction, Levent, Istanbul, 650 m2
  • AZERCELL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, Architectural Design Project, Baku, Azerbaijan, 8.400 m2
  • TURKCELL, Customer Service Rooms, Interior Design Project & Construction, Levent, Istanbul, 400 m2
  • RISTORANTE ITALIANO, Interior Design Project, Etiler, Istanbul, 250 m2

1998

  • TURKCELL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, Interior Design Project & Construction, Tepebasi, Istanbul, 16.000 m2
  • CONSULATE GENERAL OF FRANCE, Interior Design Project & Construction, Taksim, Istanbul, 4.500 m2
  • STAEFA TERRACE HOUSES, Architectural Design Project, Zurich, Switzerland, 850 m2

1997

  • HABITAT II, Exhibition Spaces in Darphane-i Amire (The Mint), Topkapı Palace, Conceptual Design Proposal, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 8.000 m2

1996

  • CLUB ROSMARIN, Summer Houses, Architectural and Interior Design Project & Construction, Gocek, Mugla, Turkey, 4.600 m2
  • CASINO DIVAN, Divan Hotel, Interior Design Project & Construction, Taksim, Istanbul, 660 m2
  • CASINO HILTON, Hilton Hotel, Interior Design Project & Construction, Taksim, Istanbul, 820 m2
  • LIDYA HOUSING PROJECT, Summer Houses and Apart-Hotel, Architectural Design Project, Marmaris, Mugla, Turkey, 4.400 m2

1995

  • ICS HEADQUARTERS ISTANBUL, Interior Design Project & Construction, Elmadag, Istanbul, 300 m2
  • PALMARIS, Cafe-Bar & Restaurant, Interior Design Project & Construction, Marmaris, Mugla, 200 m2
  • AKBANK, Info Kiosks, Design & Manufacture

1994

  • PALAIS DE FRANCE,  The Residence of Consulate General of France, Renovation Project & Construction, Taksim, Istanbul, 4.200 m2

1993

  • CAFE KAKTUS, Cafe-Bar, Interior Design Project & Construction, Beyoglu, Istanbul, 100 m2

1992

  • GOODYEAR Headquarters Building, Interior Design Project & Construction, Adapazari, Sakarya, Turkey, 1.450 m2
  • BRITISH AIRWAYS, City Center & Airport Offices, Interior Design Project & Construction, Yesilkoy, Istanbul, 800 m2

1991

  • FINANS LEASING, Headquarters Building, Interior Design Project & Construction, Elmadag, Istanbul, 600 m2
  • VIP AIR, Ataturk Airport, Office & Lounges, Interior Design Project & Construction, Yesilkoy, Istanbul, 1.800 m2

1990

  • IMTAS INSURANCE COMPANY, Headquarters Building, Interior Design Project & Construction, Levent, Istanbul, 1.250 m2
  • ISGEN LEASING, Headquarters Building, Interior Design Project & Construction, Levent, Istanbul, 520 m2
  • TURKINVEST, Izmir Branch Office, Interior Design Project & Construction, Alsancak, Izmir, 300 m2
  • SULTAN AIR, Headquarters Building, Interior Design Project & Construction, Florya, Istanbul, 800 m2
  • SULTAN AIR, Airport Office, Interior Design Project & Construction, Yesilkoy, Istanbul, 400 m2

1989

  • TURKIYE KALKINMA BANK, Istanbul Branch, Interior Design Project & Construction, Mecidiyekoy, Istanbul, 1.500 m2
  • TEKSHOL, Headquarters Building, Interior Design Project & Construction, Mecidiyekoy, Istanbul, 400 m2

1988

  • HOTEL LIDYA, Night Club, Bar and Casino Complex, Interior Design Project & Construction, Marmaris, Mugla, 900 m2
  • INTERNATIONAL SLIMMING CENTER, Istanbul Branch Office, Interior Design Project & Construction, Tesvikiye, Istanbul, 450 m2
  • ISGEN LEASING, Headquarters Building, Interior Design Project & Construction, Macka, Istanbul, 250 m2
  • HERTZ RENT A CAR, Interior Design Project & Construction, Between 1988-1994 Istanbul Headquarters & Adana, Ankara, Antalya,  Bodrum, İstanbul, İzmir & Marmaris Branch Offices