Berfin Yıldız, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Contact
Office: FF406
Tel: 2033
E-mail: berfin.yildiz [at] bilkent.edu.tr
Cv: Here
Berfin Yıldız is an architect and computational design researcher whose work focuses on integrating soft computing techniques like artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, generative design methods into architectural design and spatial analysis. She received both her M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the Architectural Design Computing Program at Istanbul Technical University (ITU). Her Ph.D. dissertation, “Artificial Intelligence Approach in Architectural Design: Recognition of Space Functions with Machine Learning and Architectural Plan Generation with Generative Adversarial Networks”, was supported by the TÜBİTAK 2211-C National Ph.D. Scholarship Program in the Priority Fields in Science and Technology. Her research develops intelligent computational frameworks that combine Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), spatial recognition models, and user behavior simulations to automate and enhance architectural design processes. Yıldız also conducted international research as part of the TÜBİTAK 2214 International Research Fellowship Programme for Ph.D. Students, collaborating with the Design and Computation Research Group (DCG) at Lisbon University, Portugal. During this fellowship, she explored deep learning-based generative design and evaluation methods for architectural layouts. In addition, Yıldız is a participant in COST Action CA21103 (Implementation of Circular Economy in the Built Environment) since 2024, contributing to international collaborations on AI-driven design innovation and advanced computational workflows. She has published several articles in high-impact Q1 journals indexed in SCI-Expanded, including Building and Environment, Building Research & Information, and Architectural Engineering and Design Management. Her work bridges computational design strategies, data-driven architectural analysis, and intelligent systems for informed decision-making in built environments.Previously, she held research and teaching positions at Yaşar University in İzmir, where she contributed to both undergraduate and graduate architectural design education.
Publications (Selected)
Yıldız, B., Çağdaş, G., & Zincir, I. (2023). Architectural Space Classification Considering Topological and 3D Visual Spatial Relations using Machine Learning Techniques. Building Research and Information, 52, 68–88. (SCI-Expanded, Q1)
Yıldız, B., & Çağdaş, G. (2020). Fuzzy Logic in Agent-based Modeling of User Movement in Urban Space: Definition and Application to a Case Study of a Square. Building and Environment, 169. (SCI-Expanded, Q1)
Morales Beltran, M.G. & Yıldız, B. (2020). Integrating Configuration-based Seismic Design Principles into Architectural Education: Teaching Strategies for Lecture Courses. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 16(4), 310–328. (SCI-Expanded, Q1)
Yıldız, B. & Çağdaş, G. (2021). Agent-based Modeling for User Movements using Fuzzy Logic. Journal of Computational Design, 2(1), 243–264.
Conference Presentations (Selected)
Yıldız, B., Çağdaş, G., & Zincir, I. (2024). Automated Two-Story Housing Floor Plan Generation using Generative Adversarial Networks, 7th International Symposium on Formal Methods in Architecture (7FMA), Porto, Portugal.
Yıldız, B., Çağdaş, G., & Zincir, I. (2023). Deep Architectural Floor Plan Generation: An Approach for Open-planned Residential Spaces, ASCAAD 2023, Amman, Jordan.
Yıldız, B., Çağdaş, G., & Zincir, I. (2022). Floor Plan Recognition Considering Visual and Spatial Relations Through Machine Learning, IGRS, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Awards and Grants
TÜBİTAK 2211-C National Ph.D. Scholarship in Priority Fields of Science and Technology
TÜBİTAK 2214-A International Research Fellowship for Ph.D. Students
Invited Lectures and Presentations
“Artificial Intelligence in Architectural Design: Machine vs. Architect”, Summer Event Series, Izmir Chamber of Architects (IZMIMOD), (2025).
“Decision Making under Uncertainty: Fuzzy Logic”, ITU Department of Informatics, MBL 602 Decision Support Systems in Architectural Design, Prof. Gülen Çağdaş, (2023-2024).
“Exploration Patterns in Complex Datasets: Machine Learning”, ITU Department of Informatics, MBL 602 Decision Support Systems in Architectural Design, Prof. Gülen Çağdaş, (2024).
“Floor Plan Generation Through Multi-Modality Data Representation and Deep Learning Techniques”, UCL Barttlet School of Architecture, Assoc. Prof. Tasos Varoudis, (2023).
“Geneative Floor Plan Models using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Penn State University, Stuckeman Center for Design Computing (SCDC), Prof. Jose Pinto Duarte, (2022).
