Yusuf Burak Dolu

Yusuf Burak Dolu is an award-winning master architect specializing in conservation and cultural projects. He began his architectural education at Yıldız Technical University in 2002, and continued with a Master's in Conservation at Istanbul Technical University in 2007, followed by the Architectural History at the National Technical University of Athens (Politechniou) in 2008.

Since 2006, he has undertaken various freelance projects and worked at many offices and institutes. In 2013, he founded KOOP, building on the experience he gained through diverse architectural practices and collaborative work environments.

KOOP specializes in a wide spectrum of architectural endeavors, focusing particularly on historic and contemporary buildings, public spaces, adaptive reuse, and museum projects, often situated within historically significant contexts. With a deep sensitivity to the spirit of place and its layered memories, KOOP strives to make these traces visible and meaningful through thoughtful, contemporary interventions. Each project is shaped through cooperative workspaces that bring together individuals, companies, and NGOs from diverse disciplines such as urban planning, conservation, engineering, graphic design, museology, landscape architecture, interior design, and sustainability.

KOOP’s approach is rooted in the idea of excavating the memory of a place—revealing its past to create relevant and respectful architectural responses today. Their goal is to offer modest yet impactful contributions that engage both the site and its broader cultural context.

Burak Dolu has been actively involved in numerous civil and professional organizations, including the Chamber of Architects of Turkey, ICOM (International Council of Museums), Gümüşhane Culture and Arts Association, GÜSİAD, the Economic Development and Cooperation Platform, the Sulukule Platform, and the YTÜ ICUS Building Workshop. He continues to volunteer in various fields, particularly in the conservation of cultural heritage, urban rights, and rural development.

Dolu's projects have received numerous architectural awards, been featured in exhibitions across internationally, and have been widely published.