Terravita Museum of Flora & Fauna / ÇAĞATAY YAYLA
 

Terravita Museum of Flora & Fauna is an architectural project that focuses on the relationship between people, nature, and the built environment. Instead of acting as a traditional museum where nature is displayed as separate objects, the project aims to create a space where nature and architecture exist together. The museum is designed as a living environment where people, plants, animals, and spatial movement are connected through everyday experience.

The design process begins with careful study of the site. The project is shaped by the natural topography, existing vegetation, ecological layers, and movement patterns found in the area. These site readings directly influence the building’s placement, orientation, and overall form. Rather than forcing a strong architectural shape onto the land, the building grows out of the landscape and adapts to its natural conditions such as slopes, views, and environmental flows.

The spatial organization of the museum is based on a series of connected volumes. These volumes are linked by ramps and continuous circulation paths that guide visitors slowly through the building. This movement creates a calm and intuitive experience, allowing visitors to explore the museum at their own pace. Exhibition areas, social spaces, and service functions are arranged around open courtyards and voids. These spaces allow daylight, fresh air, and vegetation to enter the interior, creating a strong connection between inside and outside.

The sectional design shows how the building is integrated into the terrain. By placing parts of the structure within the slope, the project reduces its visual impact and becomes part of the landscape. Different levels remain visually connected, supporting spatial continuity throughout the building. The structural system supports curved forms and flexible interior spaces while maintaining material consistency. Natural materials and daylight are used to enhance the sensory quality of the spaces.

Terravita Museum of Flora & Fauna offers a different approach to the museum concept. It is not a place where nature is only observed, but a place where nature is experienced and shared. The project encourages awareness of ecological relationships and creates a meaningful connection between architecture, landscape, and life.