The Department of Architecture was established in 1995 as part of the Faculty of Architecture. The department offered graduate programmes leading to the master’s the doctorate until 1998, when the undergraduate programme was launched. First undergraduate students entered the programme in 1999.

The Department of Architecture is one of the four departments established within the College of Architecture which aims at educating leading architectural designers and innovative researchers in architecture. The Department combines excellence in education with cutting edge research in architecture. As part of its educational objectives, the graduates are expected to play a crucial role in Turkey and in Turkey’s effort to integrate with the international community, especially with the European architectural practice. As part of its research objectives, the Department focuses on new technologies in architecture in collaboration within the college, across the campus, and with potential links with the entities within the Izmir Area of Technopark.  

The faculty consists of mainly young, energetic and motivated academicians with different backgrounds. They contribute to the campus with a variety of expertise ranging from architectural history to literature to building technologies. The faculty benefits from contributions of international scholars and architects as well as prominent architects of the region. The Department has already become a point of attraction for practicing architects and public policy makers.

 The location of the campus provides a unique experience and research opportunities to the student body. The campus is within commuting distance to Urla, a mid-size historic town; to Izmir, the third largest metropolitan area in Turkey; and to Çeşme, a high-density resort location. Each of these areas presents a variety of environmental issues worth exploring to understand the patterns in built environment within Turkey and in similar urban areas. The Department benefits also from its closeness to major Greek, Roman, and Ottoman historical sites which adds richness to its education and research.