team
Founder & Principal Architect
Irmak Ekim, the Founder of GAI Works, was born on 13 January 1990 in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. She completed her middle and high school education at MEF Schools, where her early interest in design, art, and creative thinking began to develop.
She later pursued her undergraduate studies in Architecture at Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Architecture, building a strong foundation in architectural design, spatial thinking, and technical knowledge. Continuing her academic development, she completed her Master’s degree in Architectural Design at Istanbul Bilgi University, where she expanded her understanding of contemporary architecture and interdisciplinary design processes.
Beyond architecture, Irmak Ekim has always maintained a strong connection with the arts. Her sculptures and paintings have been exhibited in various exhibitions, reflecting her ongoing exploration of form, material, and artistic expression. She also studied fashion design at Istanbul Moda Academy and culinary arts at MSA. These experiences allowed her to engage with different creative disciplines and alternative ways of thinking about form, texture, materiality, and composition — perspectives she integrates into her architectural approach.
In 2019, she founded GAI Works, driven by a desire to develop original architectural ideas and independent projects. With the ambition to gain broader professional experience and to engage with large-scale and complex developments, she collaborated with various corporate and holding-level companies, including firms such as Akfen Holding.
During this period, she worked on projects of different scales, ranging from interior architecture to large commercial developments, actively participating in both design and on-site implementation processes. These experiences enabled her to develop a comprehensive understanding of the full lifecycle of architecture — from concept design and planning to construction, coordination, and execution.
After gaining extensive professional experience across multiple sectors, Irmak Ekim returned to GAI Works with a stronger and more experienced perspective, continuing to develop projects that integrate design, technical knowledge, and multidisciplinary thinking.