Fatih Terim Museum
Location: Adana, Turkey
Year: 2026
Status: Ongoing
 

Fatih Terim Museum was designed to transform the life, career, and leadership philosophy of Fatih Terim, one of the most significant figures in Turkish football history, into a spatial experience. The conceptual starting point of the project was shaped by Terim’s iconic position within football culture and the strong sense of belonging associated with him. Within this approach, the museum was conceived not simply as an exhibition space, but as a contemporary sanctuary dedicated to the memory of football. The sphere, used as the main spatial form, became the architectural expression of this idea.

The visitor experience begins with a fan tunnel that evokes the excitement of football players entering the field. The tunnel leads visitors toward the main plaza and from there into a sequence of interconnected thematic exhibition spaces. These areas present Terim’s childhood and playing years, his career as a coach, his approach to leadership, and his vision for the future.

Beyond the spherical exhibition volumes, the program includes exhibition and conference halls, a café, and a prayer space. The conference hall was designed as an educational environment where themes such as achievement, self-confidence, and leadership can be shared, particularly with children and young people. A reflection tunnel within the museum visually brings the football field in front of the building into the interior, while the spectator stands in the garden support both football activities and a variety of events.

The architectural language of the building draws on the movement and dynamism of football. A curved white roof, glazed surfaces, and spherical exhibition volumes come together to create a distinctive silhouette. Local stone from the Adana region, timber, technical textiles, and brass details define the material character of the building, while native and endemic planting within the landscape further strengthens the project’s connection to Adana.