Choosing Architecture as a Major and the Story of Pafta’m’s Founders

During university preference season, many young people face a deep question: “Who am I, and what do I want to create?” The answer to this question doesn’t just determine a profession—it can shape an entire way of life. The story of Nilnaz Akbaşoğulları Türk and Mehmet Türk, founders of Pafta’m Bodrum, is a creative and sincere response to that question.

A University Encounter at Dokuz Eylül

Nilnaz and Mehmet met while studying at Dokuz Eylül University in İzmir. Nilnaz was pursuing a degree in Architecture, while Mehmet studied Business Administration. Though they came from different disciplines, their shared passion for creativity and design quickly brought them together.

What started as a friendship evolved into a life partnership—and eventually into a shared professional journey.

Thinking Architecturally, Building Strategically

For Nilnaz, architecture was never just about drawing buildings. It was about designing thoughts, visualizing emotions, and telling stories through space and detail. Mehmet, with his background in business, brought the structure and strategy needed to bring these ideas to life and keep them sustainable.

Together, they combined their strengths to create Pafta’m Bodrum—a space that blends architectural thinking with entrepreneurial spirit.

Pafta’m: A Design Space Inspired by Architecture

“Pafta” is a familiar term to architecture students—it refers to the presentation boards used to communicate a project. Inspired by this concept, Nilnaz and Mehmet created Pafta’m as a real-life extension of that idea. Located in Bitez, Bodrum, Pafta’m is more than just a shop; it's a curated design space.

The store features graphic prints, handmade gifts, Bodrum-inspired objects, and local collaborations—all presented with architectural sensitivity. The space itself feels like a project board come to life.

Mehmet Türk Today: Metis Holiday

In addition to his role at Pafta’m, Mehmet Türk now runs Metis Holiday, a boutique travel agency offering private holiday villa rentals and yacht charters in Bodrum and the Aegean region.

With his business acumen and deep understanding of the local tourism landscape, Mehmet creates personalized, elegant vacation experiences that prioritize comfort, trust, and quality.Metis Holiday reflects another side of Mehmet’s entrepreneurial energy—one that complements his work at Pafta’m and showcases his versatility.

From the Bodrum XLarge Interview: "Blending Calm and Design"

In an interview with Bodrum XLarge, Nilnaz shared:

“For us, architecture isn’t just about buildings. It’s a way of thinking, of seeing. At Pafta’m, every detail, every product carries meaning. And with Mehmet’s strategic skills, those ideas were able to take shape and last.”

This quote highlights how their different disciplines work together to form a balanced and meaningful brand.

As Featured in Arkitera: Design Meets Business

In a recent article on Arkitera, Pafta’m Bodrum was described as:

“A creative initiative where the founders—one from architecture, one from business—merge their talents to create a design-focused, locally rooted retail experience. Pafta’m reflects Bodrum’s artistic spirit and stands out as a space where aesthetic and structure meet.”

An Interdisciplinary Inspiration

Nilnaz and Mehmet’s story is inspiring for anyone considering architecture or business as a field of study. When different disciplines come together with a shared vision, the results can be far more than the sum of their parts.

Visiting Pafta’m in Bodrum feels like stepping into a concept—a space designed not just to sell, but to tell a story.And maybe, just maybe, their journey will inspire you to start crafting your own "pafta"—your own story of creativity and design.