Melis Canlı is an interior architect and designer. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLA) degree in Architecture at the University of Pécs in Hungary. Her research focuses on the psychological effects of spatial environments, particularly exploring how architectural design can support emotional well-being, reduce stress, and enhance overall quality of life.

Melis began her academic journey in Cyprus, where she completed her undergraduate studies in interior architecture. In 2013, during her undergraduate education, she had her first international experience in Oxford, United Kingdom. This early exposure to studying and living abroad sparked her passion for international education and motivated her to pursue further studies overseas. Her academic success and broad interests led her to seek opportunities that would foster interdisciplinary growth and cultural exchange. In 2015, she moved to Canada to improve her English and further her personal and professional development. Living in a multicultural environment helped her become a more flexible and open-minded designer, capable of navigating diverse perspectives and collaborative practices.

After Canada, she continued her academic path by earning a master’s degree in interior design at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) in Milan, Italy. During her studies, she collaborated with well-known companies such as Riva 1920, L’abilità, and Tribò, contributing to the design of exhibition, educational, and office spaces. Her projects were exhibited during Milan Design Weeks, allowing her to interact with the global design community and refine her user-centered and experience-driven design approach. As part of her master’s thesis, Melis developed a modular housing project utilizing cargo containers for low-income urban neighborhoods. This research highlighted the potential of adaptive reuse and affordable design strategies—values that continue to shape her architectural thinking.

Upon completing her education, she returned to Turkey and gained several years of professional experience in interior design and real estate. She worked on a variety of residential and commercial projects, where she strengthened her practical design skills and developed a deeper understanding of construction, project coordination, and client communication.

Currently based in Hungary, Melis’s doctoral research investigates how architectural design can address psychological challenges such as chronic fatigue and burnout. Her work focuses on sustainable and sensory-sensitive design strategies that support mental resilience and emotional balance. She has presented her findings at international conferences in Budapest, Athens, and Rome and has contributed to peer-reviewed academic publications.

In addition to her academic research, she has participated in sustainable product design projects in Hungary that emphasize circular economy principles and low-carbon material systems. She also took part in the European Heritage Volunteers program in Germany, where she contributed to the documentation and restoration of historic structures, deepening her commitment to architectural preservation.

Melis further broadened her interdisciplinary expertise by completing courses in graphic design and UI/UX at CalArts and studying management of fashion and luxury companies at Università Bocconi. These experiences gave her insights into digital design, branding, user experience, and consumer psychology—skills that enhance her creative and strategic approach to architecture and design.

While living in Hungary, she also served as a coordinator in an Erasmus+ project, facilitating workshops and cultural exchange among participants from various European countries. In parallel, she was actively involved in local charitable initiatives that focused on community well-being and design-for-impact practices.

Outside of her academic life, Melis enjoys traveling, hiking in nature, long city walks, and acting. While living in Budapest, she participated in several international film productions as a background actress. This experience sparked a strong interest in cinematic space, storytelling, and production design. In the future, she hopes to gain experience as an art director and pursue a career in the film industry in the United States, where she can merge her architectural background with visual storytelling and creative direction.

She also has a passion for writing and sees it as a form of personal expression and reflection. One of her long-term goals is to write and publish her own book. In her daily life, Melis has a strong interest in coffee culture and enjoys discovering local cafés and observing their unique atmospheres. One day, she dreams of opening a small, cozy café in a country she loves—somewhere she feels a true sense of belonging, where people can come together and connect.