The museum structure utilizes stacked wooden beams, a technique inspired by the Japanese 'kigumi' style and local traditional Ottoman timber-frame houses.
The project won the 'Museum of the Year' award at the 2021 European Museum of the Year Awards.
The museum's footprint is designed to mimic the fragmented nature of the surrounding historical streetscape.
OMM features a permanent collection that includes works by prominent Turkish artists such as Erol Akyavaş and Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu.
Odunpazarı Modern Museum (OMM) is a contemporary art museum designed by the Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma & Associates. The building’s structure consists of interlocking timber blocks, intended to reflect the historical skyline of the surrounding traditional Ottoman-era houses. It hosts a diverse collection of modern and contemporary art from both Turkey and abroad, with a focus on regional talent. The interior features a central atrium that spans multiple levels, providing a light-filled space for circulation. OMM frequently curates temporary exhibitions that rotate alongside its permanent selection. The facility also houses a café, a design shop, and specialized spaces for artist residencies. It sits within the historic Odunpazarı district, a UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List site. The project was initiated by Erol Tabanca, a prominent Turkish businessman and art collector.
The central skylit atrium, where the wooden lattice structure creates complex shadow patterns on the staircases.
Walk through the entire historic Odunpazarı neighborhood before or after your museum visit to appreciate the architectural contrast.
Check the museum's digital exhibition schedule online before arriving, as special installations may occupy the main gallery spaces.
Visit the onsite museum shop for curated design objects that reflect Turkish contemporary aesthetics.
Do not attempt to navigate the surrounding historic district by car, as the narrow, cobblestone Ottoman streets are difficult to traverse.
Closed on Mondays.
Standard museum decorum applies; photography is generally permitted for personal use, but flash is restricted.
