Nesli Kayalı
Program Director, The Circle
Nesli Kayalı is an architect working at the intersection of sustainable design, strategic thinking, and systems change in the built environment. Her practice focuses on reimagining architecture not only as a spatial outcome, but as a catalyst for public dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and transformative processes in the age of the climate crisis. She approaches design as a field that must evolve through material, methodological, and organizational shifts.
At The Circle, she curates programs that translate architectural thinking into exhibitions, talks, and open formats, exploring the transformative power of materials, innovation in design methods, and knowledge-sharing across disciplines. She places emphasis on making knowledge accessible not only to professionals, but also to youth and broader publics.
As Associate and Studio Lead at Avcı Architects, she integrates sustainability into architectural workflows, prioritizing carbon reduction and circularity in both design and studio culture. She leads project processes that align environmental performance with collaborative production models.
Guided by systems thinking, Kayalı explores new pathways between architecture, engineering, and production. Her work contributes to building inclusive, climate-responsive practices rooted in shared knowledge, interdisciplinary dialogue, and collective imagination.