Gökçe
Saygın
I'm the founder of arKIDect, where kids learn to design, build, and think for themselves through hands-on, project-based classes.
Miami, FL
A career shaped by design, sustainability, and education.
My name is Gökçe Saygın. I earned dual Bachelor's degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture from Istanbul Technical University and later became a LEED Green Associate. Over the years, I have worked across design, sustainability, construction, and project management, contributing to projects for organizations including Amazon and NYC Parks & Recreation.
My experience has taken me through large-scale developments, public spaces, landscape projects, and green infrastructure initiatives. I also had the opportunity to contribute to one of the largest green roof installations in the United States and to work on projects centered around sustainability and resilient design.
Alongside my professional work, education gradually became an important part of my journey. After completing K–12 teacher training through the AIA New York Chapter, I volunteered at the Center for Architecture and taught design-focused programs in public schools and organizations across New York City.
In 2012, I founded arKIDect to bring together my experience in design and my passion for education. Today, my work focuses on creating hands-on learning experiences that combine design thinking, creativity, sustainability, and STEAM education to help children become more curious, confident, and independent thinkers.
Experience across design, sustainability, and project leadership.
Gökçe's professional background brings together work in private-sector development, public spaces, sustainability, landscape projects, and educational design.
Design Manager
AmazonDesign strategy, project coordination, and development work for high-efficiency and sustainability-focused facilities.
Project Manager
NYC Parks & RecreationContributed to public-space and infrastructure projects supporting greener and more resilient urban environments.
Project Manager
Falcon EngineeringWorked on project management and site-related initiatives incorporating emerging technologies and new approaches to project documentation and analysis.
Green Roof Designer
ODA New YorkContributed to the development and installation of what became one of the largest green roof projects in the United States.
Sustainability Director
EcobuildWorked on sustainability and resilience-focused design initiatives, including projects recognized through national design competitions.
Selected awards & recognition
Gökçe's work has been recognized across sustainability, resilience, urban design, public space, and design competitions.
Recognition for work exploring resilient and hurricane-resistant building design.
Recognition for a design approach focused on the future of coastal communities.
Selected for work addressing resilience and the relationship between communities, infrastructure, and environmental change.
Recognition in an urban design competition focused on large-scale development and public environments.
Recognition for public-space and landscape design.
Recognition for a play-focused design concept centered around creativity and children.
arKIDect teaches kids a way of thinking.
I founded arKIDect — School of Architecture for Kids in 2012 with a simple idea: design education can teach children much more than how buildings are created.
For me, architecture is a powerful learning tool. Through hands-on projects, I encourage children to explore ideas, solve problems, experiment with materials, collaborate, and turn their imagination into something they can see, touch, and build.
I developed the arKIDect curriculum by bringing together architecture, design thinking, art, engineering, mathematics, and STEAM learning. Today, these project-based experiences are offered through private lessons, homeschool and after-school programs, as well as collaborations with schools and educational organizations.
Approved Step Up For Students Vendor
arKIDect is an approved Step Up For Students educational vendor, allowing eligible Florida families to use qualifying education scholarship funds toward selected arKIDect programs.
Through this partnership, I can make hands-on STEAM and design education accessible to more families across Florida, giving children more opportunities to learn through creativity, experimentation, and problem-solving.
Explore arKIDect →