Atatürk University - Turkey
AUTHOR PROFILE
GOOGLE SCHOLAR
SUMMARY
Prof. Dr. Fatma Zehra Çakıcı is a leading academic in architectural sciences at Atatürk University, specializing in building technologies, heritage preservation, and energy-efficient design. Her work spans teaching, research, and practice, with over two decades of contributions in architectural education, building energy performance, and cultural heritage conservation. She combines scientific rigor with design innovation, reflected in her national and international publications, patents, and funded projects. As a faculty leader, researcher, and practitioner, Prof. Çakıcı bridges historical context with modern architecture, offering sustainable, accessible, and inclusive solutions for contemporary design and urban challenges.
EDUCATION
Prof. Dr. Çakıcı earned her Ph.D. in Building Sciences from Middle East Technical University, where she developed a performance evaluation program for energy-efficient buildings. She previously completed her master's in deconstruction processes and sustainability in architecture. Her educational foundation includes an undergraduate degree in architecture from Selçuk University. This academic journey allowed her to combine theoretical, technical, and historical approaches to architecture. Her focus on environmental responsiveness, cultural continuity, and user-centered design deeply influences her scholarly and professional work, enabling her to contribute to various aspects of sustainable architecture and adaptive reuse of historic structures.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Prof. Çakıcı has held academic roles at Atatürk University since 2013, rising through positions from Assistant to Full Professor. Her career also includes research assistantships at METU and a visiting scholar appointment at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. She leads projects on building conservation, energy-efficient systems, and cultural heritage. She also directs administrative units, serves on academic boards, and engages in national architecture competitions. Outside academia, she has worked as an architect in private practice and founded FZC Architecture and Design Consultancy. Her professional portfolio reflects a balance between education, research, and practical design implementation.
RESEARCH INTEREST
Prof. Çakıcı’s research interests include building energy performance, historic preservation, architectural sustainability, and digital documentation of cultural heritage. She has pioneered work on energy-efficient design in cold climates, building envelope thermography, and material analysis in heritage structures. Her studies also address accessibility in public buildings, sustainable urban planning, and smart architectural systems. She integrates theory with field applications, using simulation tools and hands-on restoration work. Her research supports adaptive reuse, climate-sensitive architecture, and policy development. Prof. Çakıcı’s interdisciplinary work influences environmental sustainability and conservation practices in both architectural education and professional design.
AWARD AND HONOR
Prof. Çakıcı has received several honors including first and third-place awards for community-based research at Atatürk University and national recognition for accessibility in university design. She earned the Presidential Special Award in Architecture and has received awards in national design competitions. These accolades reflect her scholarly impact and her commitment to integrating innovation with cultural sensitivity. Her project leadership in EU-funded and national scientific initiatives highlights her research excellence and international collaboration. Through her sustained contributions, she has established a respected academic and professional presence in the fields of architecture, heritage, and sustainable design.
RESEARCH SKILL
Prof. Çakıcı possesses advanced skills in architectural design, energy simulation, historic material analysis, and digital documentation. She utilizes infrared thermography, simulation software, and typological analysis for evaluating existing buildings. Her methodological expertise includes graph theory for spatial analysis, data-driven design decision-making, and IoT integration for environmental systems. She has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams on funded projects and coordinating architectural conservation efforts. Prof. Çakıcı also contributes to patent development and design-based innovation in heritage restoration and sustainability. Her research capabilities support high-level problem-solving in architecture through scientific, contextual, and user-responsive methodologies.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
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Title: Net Positive Energy Buildings in Architectural Context
Authors: Ç. Takva, B. Çalışkan, F. Çakıcı
Journal: Journal of Asian Scientific Research, 12 (3), 2022
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Title: Accessibility analysis of public buildings with graph theory and the space syntax method: government houses
Authors: B.N. Keleş, Ç. Takva, F.Z. Çakıcı
Journal: Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 24 (1), 199–213, 2025
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Title: Restoration in the discipline of architecture: a bibliometric analysis of research trends since 2000
Authors: M. Kasapoğlu, F.Z. Çakıcı
Journal: Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning, 2023
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Title: Climate-sensitive Design in Traditional Residential Architecture: Kars Karakurt Houses
Authors: F. Çakıcı, Ç. Takva
Journal: International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, 10 (3), 2023
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Title: Thermal Analysis of the Building Envelope with Infrared Thermography and Simulation in Educational Buildings in the Cold Climate Region
Authors: Ç. Takva, F.G. Takva, F.Z. Çakıcı
Journal: Buildings, 15 (11), Article 1759, 2025
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Title: Erzurum Ulu Cami Üzerine Kronolojik Bir Değerlendirme
Authors: M. Kasapoğlu, F.Z. Çakıcı
Journal: Modular Journal, 7 (1–2), 95–118, 2024
CONCLUSION
Prof. Dr. Fatma Zehra Çakıcı is a multifaceted scholar and architect whose work merges sustainability, technology, and cultural heritage in architecture. Through academic leadership, research innovation, and practical design, she has significantly advanced knowledge in energy-efficient design, conservation methods, and architectural education. Her diverse roles in administration, project coordination, and publishing demonstrate her dedication to both academic excellence and social impact. With a vision rooted in scientific rigor and cultural sensitivity, Prof. Çakıcı continues to shape the future of architecture by integrating traditional values with cutting-edge design practices and sustainability principles.