CommonLab
ABOUT
CommonLab is an Istanbul-based architecture, urban design, and research practice working across scales and programs, ranging from interiors and buildings to public spaces and urban-scale interventions. Through design and research, CommonLab explores how architecture can accommodate changing patterns of life and respond to contemporary social, environmental, and spatial conditions. The practice focuses on spaces that enhance everyday life, foster interaction, use resources responsibly, and are embraced by their users. CommonLab’s work has been recognized through national and international competitions and awards, including the Project Category Award for the Podgorica Social Housing Project and the Ideas Presentation Award for Community-Led Recovery Approaches in Antakya at the 20th National Architecture Exhibition and Awards.
ASLI AYDIN
MSc. Architect, Founder
Aslı holds a Bachelor of Architecture (2005, High Honors) and a Master of Science in Architectural Design (2008) from Istanbul Technical University. During her master’s studies, she attended Brandenburg University of Technology (2007, Germany) as an Erasmus exchange student. From 2008 to 2019, she worked at Tabanlıoğlu Architects as an Architect and later as a Senior Lead Architect (Associate). She worked on diverse projects ranging from small-scale buildings to large-scale urban design projects, including master plans, mixed-use developments, high-rise buildings, interior design, and exhibition design. During this period, she took part in several national and international competitions. From 2019 to 2021, she worked at Atkins Shanghai as a Senior Urban Designer on urban design projects in China. She completed a Master of Urban Design at Technische Universität Berlin in 2024. In 2022, she founded CommonLab, where she continues to work on architectural, interior, and urban design projects.
ÇAĞLAYAN ÇAĞBAYIR
Architect, Partner
Çağlayan holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Middle East Technical University.He began his career at Çinici Architects in 1998, where he worked as an Architect until 2007. In 2007, he joined Tabanlıoğlu Architects as Design Director, leading the design and development of residential, mixed-use, cultural, educational, and masterplanning projects across a wide range of scales in Türkiye and internationally. Working closely with clients, consultants, and multidisciplinary teams, he was responsible for leading projects through all phases of design, overseeing their architectural development from concept through construction. Following the establishment of +Murat Tabanlıoğlu in 2025, he continued in the role of Design Director, leading architectural projects before joining CommonLab in 2026.
Alongside his professional practice, he taught architectural design as a part-time studio instructor and served as a guest studio critic at Istanbul Bilgi University.