Collective Operations is an agile and highly specialized architectural design & execution practice founded in 2009- distinguished by a uniquely compact team and highly integrated-comprehensive collaborative model.
Our expertise and know how spans in-between architectural and interior design, urban design & research, real estate development, and construction.
At Collective Operations, we craft tailored visions for each project, harmonizing the interests of all stakeholders involved.
This integrated, collaborative approach has allowed us to effectively organize and oversee investments exceeding several hundred million dollars.
With successful project deliveries in diverse global locations—including Istanbul, Bodrum, Almaty, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Shanghai, Ningbo, New York, and Nice—we possess extensive hands-on experience managing complex undertakings at every scale, from billion-dollar urban developments to detailed interior executions.
Committed to genuine, sustainable investments, we consciously steer clear of speculative ventures.
Our comprehensive, hands-on methodology ensures meticulous oversight from initial concept to final delivery; overseeing and getting involved in every aspect of design and execution.
We pride ourselves on our proven capability—from guiding multi-billion-dollar urban developments to meticulously designing interior details—and manage every stage with precision, dedication, and a commitment to quality.
Deep expertise, real experience: Mastering complexity from concept to completion
Capabilities & Experience
Our experience-driven approach ensures effective integration of diverse expertise, harmonizing client visions, regulatory requirements, and practical execution challenges into seamless, highly successful outcomes.
We strategically collaborate with carefully selected consultants, handpicked to perfectly align with the unique vision, objectives and requirements of each specific project.
Real Estate Development:
Overall Development Management
Project Initiation
Land Identificatin and Acquisition
Vision and Strategy Formation
Expert Team Assembly
Budgeting and Cash Flow Management
Land Planning and Permitting
Legal and FInancial Structuring
Construction Permitting
Competitive Bidding
Project and Construction Management
Comprehensive Process Management
Client Management
Occupancy Permitting and Project Delivery
Urban Design and Masterplanning:
Strategic Planning and Territorial Design
Comprehensive Masterplanning and Urban Design
Regulatory Coordination
Infrastructure Planning and Integration
Design Consultancy:
Vision Formation and Design Brief
Evaluation and coordination
Design Management and Coordination
Architectural Design:
Concept Design to Construction Documentation,
Detailed Architectural Planning and Design,
Tailor Made Construction Documentation,
Multidisciplinary Design Team Coordination,
Regulatory Compliance and Approvals,
Interior Design:
Concept Design to Construction Documentation
Comprehensive Space Planning and Design
Material and Finish Selections
Custom Design and Bespoke Solutions
Tailor Made Construction Documentation
Comprehensive Coordination with producers and contractors
Site Supervision and Quality Control
Design/Selection and coordination of FF&E and OS&E packages
Turn-Key Construction and Fit-Out:
End-to-End Project Execution
Construction and Project Management
Fit-Out and Interior Implementation
Quality Control and Assurance
Procurement:
Global and Local Sourcing
Strategic Vendor Management
Cost Management and Optimization
Scheduling and Timely Delivery Coordination
Design/Selection and coordination of FF&E and OS&E packages
Collective Operations leverages deep-rooted industry relationships and multidisciplinary expertise, consistently delivering innovative, benchmark-setting projects uniquely tailored to their context.
Location
Team
Over the years, we managed to keep our team very small but solid. We understand the value of collaboration and the importance of nurturing individual talents. We expand the team only according to the unique needs of our projects.
Our teams are carefully crafted for each project, empowering designers and architects to follow their unique creative paths.
Since 2020, our primary focus has been on designing and coordinating the turnkey delivery of Six Senses Residences, villa by villa, in close collaboration with the property owners.
All our team members are designing and coordinating a wide range of works and responsible for both proper documentation and execution of the projects.
Everyone in the team works between the site and the studio.
Team members;
Ahmetcan Dursunoglu, Joined 2021, Architect
Melike Yazici, Joined 2021, Architect
Elif Aksoy, Joined 2022, Architect
Cem Celik
Biography
Cem Çelik is the founder of Collective Operations, an agile and highly specialized design and development practice established in 2009. His career spans nearly three decades across architecture, urban design, real estate development, and construction, with extensive international experience in Europe, Asia, and the US.
Cem has been at the forefront of transformative projects from billion-dollar coastal masterplans to bespoke residences, consistently delivering benchmark-setting works through an integrated, collaborative approach. He is also an experienced academic, having directed advanced design studios at Bilgi University, where he focused on the complexities of urban development across Istanbul.
Professional Experience
Founder, Collective Operations
2009 – Present
Established and led a design and development firm delivering projects across Turkey, Europe, and Central Asia, overseeing every stage from concept to execution.
Managing Director, Capital Partners, Turkey
2006 – 2010
Led the establishment of Kaplankaya, a benchmark 5 km² coastal development, collaborating with globally recognized architects and consultants.
Partner, BOD&COO
2006 – 2009
Directed major projects including Renaissance Hotels (Atyrau & Aktau), Kazinvest Bank HQ (Almaty), and restoration works in Istanbul.
Urban Designer & Consultant, EDAW/AECOM (NY, HK, Shanghai)
2001 – 2006
Worked on large-scale urban revitalization projects, including serving as lead designer for the Tianjin Hai River Revitalization, which transformed Tianjin into a global metropolitan hub.
Freelance Designer, Turkey
1995 – 2001
Engaged in architectural and design projects of various scales.
Academic
Bilgi University, Graduate Architecture Department
Director of Advanced Design & Research Studio (2009–2013 & 2017–2020), focusing on urban complexities of Istanbul.
Built Work
Kaplankaya Masterplan – 500 hectares, partially built, ongoing.
Six Senses Residences Phase 2 – 16 ha, 25,000 m², 78 villas.
Kaplankaya Private Villas – 36 villas, full-scope services (design, interiors, construction, procurement, FF&E).
Teos HiddenBay Residences, İzmir – 20 ha, 40,000 m², 30 villas, hotel, spa, waterfront park, and facilities.
Tienshan Gardens Residences, Almaty – 18,000 m², 13 apartments.
NO25, Galata, Istanbul – Adaptive reuse into luxury residences.
Kamondo Building, Galata, Istanbul – Restoration & transformation.
Rizzo Building, Cihangir, Istanbul – Restoration.
Private Residences – Nice, Almaty, New York, Istanbul.
Tianjin Hai River Development, China – 8 km embankment, downtown revitalization
Education
Master of Architecture in Urban Design (MAUD) – Harvard University, 2001
Bachelor of Architecture – Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul, 1999
Honors & Awards
1st Prize – Jiangmen Riverfront Regional Plan, China, 2005
1st Prize – Ningbo Yinzhou New Urban Area, China, 2004
1st Prize – Hai River Embankment Masterplan, Tianjin, China, 2003
1st Prize – Nansha Urban Design, Guangzhou, China, 2002
1st Prize – Wanchai Waterfront Masterplan, Hong Kong, 2002
4th Prize – Gadeokdo Island, Busan, Korea, 2010
Honorable Mention – Osong BioValley, Korea, 2011
Honorable Mentions – Airport & Congress Center Competitions, Turkey (1997–1999)
Registration
Registered Architect, Chamber of Architects, Section of UIA Turkey (since 1999)