Uplifting Tales: Spotlighting Tifa Studio's Inspiring Journey
In our latest series of articles, we're livening things up with a fresh dose of inspiration! We're calling it Inspirational Stories, where we'll be chatting with architects, studios, and content creators whose tales will guaranteedly light a fire under your architecture-loving soul. This isn't just for the pros, no sirree! We aim to motivate and educate architecture students as well.
We're kicking off the series by diving deep into the mind of none other than Tifa Studio, a passionate architect and educational powerhouse in the architectural industry, especially for students and young architects. So, if you're not already following Tifa Studio, hop on over to their Instagram: @tifa.studio for a healthy dose of inspiration.
With the motto of "Learn and Think Architecture", Tifa Studio shares captivating ideas that spark curiosity and provoke deep thinking on the subject of architecture. By answering our questions, Tifa has graced us with some powerful insights and inspiration to fuel your architectural journey.
Table of Contents 🔽
How has your journey as an architectural content creator unfolded?
Tifa: My career has been an exhilarating, multilayered ride. It began with studying architecture, expanded into design research, and is expressed through numerous platforms. I hold a PhD in Design from PolyU in Hong Kong, and I've spent a decade honing my craft in Turkey. On top of all that, I founded Tifa Studio—a platform that bridges architecture with storytelling and classroom-style teaching. Although I prefer the title of 'architect', I acknowledge that creating compelling architectural content, especially for students and the public, is the heart and soul of my work. My efforts encompass writing, publishing, teaching, and visual storytelling—all revolving around democratizing architectural thinking.
When did you decide to embark on this path, and why?
Tifa: To be honest, it wasn't a carefully crafted plan but rather a spontaneous adventure where I continually try new things, learn from failures, bounce up, try again, and so on. This journey emerged organically as a response to my personal need to challenge conventional architectural education and increase public engagement with architecture. I began by sharing visual notes, guides, and provocations when I realized that many students lacked access to resources and inspiring references. Over time, this evolved into books, toolkits, and digital experiments. My delving into research further honed this direction as I focused on critically exploring how design knowledge is produced and shared beyond the confines of conventional studio boundaries. My goal was to dismantle academic silos, make architecture more accessible, and stimulate new ways of learning.
What challenges do you face in your work?
Tifa: I'd say it's finding a balance between clarity and depth. It's difficult to communicate complex ideas without oversimplifying them, especially given the age of quick consumption. Another challenge is staying original in an environment dominated by algorithms. I'm determined to create tools and content that are rigorous in terms of pedagogy and creatively innovative, though this is a slower path than following trends.
Who are the architects, content creators, or interdisciplinary figures that inspire you?
Tifa: I'm inspired by the team at BIG Architects, Rem Koolhaas, and Daniel Libeskind, as well as content creators like Dami Lee and Sedat Bayrak in Turkey.
Do you stay updated on AI and other emerging technologies? How do you stay current with the latest developments?
Tifa: Absolutely! But I stay informed critically. I experiment with AI tools for visual ideation and editing. However, I'm more interested in the thoughtful potential of these technologies: how they might transform authorship and design thinking? I keep myself updated through academic networks, architectural journals, and cultural platforms. I'm choosy rather than reactive—I prefer deep, thoughtful work over chasing trends to protect my intellectual pace.
What advice would you give to young architects and content creators?
Tifa: My advice for young architects and content creators would be to focus on your questions, not just your tools. Meaningful work emerges from authentic curiosity, not from chasing formats or trends. Architecture is a lens before it's a profession, so invest in how you see, think, and question. Develop your communications skills, storytelling abilities, and collaboration know-how. In the age of AI, what sets you apart isn't just what you produce, but how you frame it, adapt it, and lead with it. Never neglect real-world experience: immersing yourself in various environments, observing how things age, how people move, and how things fail is essential. Learn about project management, decision-making, and idea survival beyond the drawing board. Balance the digital with the tangible. That's where architecture truly lives.
- Tifa Studio, an architect and educational powerhouse, explores the intersection of architecture and technology as they strive to democratize architectural thinking and inspire personal growth through education-and-self-development.
- In their pursuit of learning and innovation, Tifa Studio stays current with the latest advancements in technology, particularly AI, recognizing that these tools have the potential to transform authorship and design thinking in the realm of architecture.
