Tokyo-based Kengo Kuma and Associates has unveiled its design of the Odunpazari Modern Museum (OMM) in the eponymous district of Eskişehir, Turkey. The institution comprises cubic volumes composed of interlocked timber beams that pay homage to the district’s historic namesake, which translates to “wood market.”
Totaling more than 48,000 square feet, OMM is home to an expansive showcase of modern artwork from the collection of Turkish architect Erol Tabanca, installed against timber interiors. The museum is crafted to create smaller and more intimate spaces on the lower level, while larger open galleries abound across the uppermost floors. At the core of the space is a lightwell that conveys a subtle twist as it ascends three floors toward a skylight.
“The idea for OMM was to use architecture to create a link between people and art,” says project leader of Kengo Kuma, Yuki Ikeguchi. “We were deeply inspired by the history, culture, people, and streetscape of the Odunpazarı, and we wanted the building to resonate on many levels.”
