I was born in 1955 in Ankara-Turkey and had a very art and science oriented childhood. I read a lot of books, made my own toys, loved to make models, drew pictures, analyzed and experimented with anything I could get my hands on. I played the piano. I had hobbies related to woodworking, mechanical details, electronics and chemistry.
I owe a lot to primary, secondary and high schools, TED Ankara College where I studied until 1970, and Robert College in Istanbul where I studied until 1973. Both of my schools encouraged me in arts and sciences equally, so I also chose a path of further education running along and parallel to the mainstreams of art and science, that is Architecture.
During my undergrad years, time permitting, I worked in an Architectural Firm, during postgrad years I added computer programming and additional workshop skills to my expertise. I attended Middle East Technical University (METU/ODTÜ), Faculty of Architecture and got my B. Arch degree in 1978 and M. Arch degree in 1980. I adjourned my Ph. D. Studies and my job as an assistant at the Faculty in 1981.
After 1981 and until 1990 I worked in construction companies as an Architect, Designer, Design Manager, Site Manager, Construction Manager, with similar titles and positions in the Construction Industry. In 1990, I started working in the field of Building Envelope Designs, preliminary designs, material supplying, fabrication, installation. I am still working in the same field.
I am married to the marvelous Belgin Akaltan, a journalist, a writer whom I have known since high school. We have a son Aydın Akaltan who is also running along the path of science and art, in the field of sound, vibration and waves, as a mechanical engineer, as an assistant in the university soon to get his Ph.D. Can you believe that his music, his guitar playing and composing directed him to this field? He has got our best parts and with his add-ons, he has way surpassed us. Very recently, we are just thrilled to welcome his fiancé, another marvelous person, Yeşim Çapraz, to the family.
We are still alive and kicking.
