Fatih A. Rifki holds professional degrees in architecture (Bachelor of Architecture with Distinction [1978] from American University of Beirut and Master of Architecture [1985] from University of Oregon) and a doctorate degree (Doctor of Philosophy [1998] from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) in city and regional planning. He has worked as an architect and urban designer-planner, most recently on the Nicosia Master Plan under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program. The project was awarded the World habitat Award in 1984.

Since 1985 he has been teaching courses, seminars, and design studios at the College of Design at North Carolina State University. He has served as the Architecture Department Head from 1997 to 2000 and was the first Director of the School of Architecture in 2000-2001. He currently serves the College of Design as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and as Director of its interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Design Program.

His teaching and research interests cover a wide spectrum of subjects: natural and mechanical/electrical environmental control systems, energy and daylight use in architectural design in the School of Architecture curricula and urban spatial structure, sustainable communities, and urbanism in the Ph.D. in Design Program.

At present he provides consulting services to local architecture and engineering firms and is engaged in action-research projects. Among these are Sustainable Urban Design Guidelines for Mebane, NC and Pamlico County Offices Programming Master Plan.