Galust Gulbenkian Museum,
designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates
The Gulbenkian Center for Modern Art (from Portuguese: Centro de Arte Moderna, or CAM for short) is located in Lisbon, Portugal, on the grounds of the Gulbenkian Foundation, a multidisciplinary campus combining 1960s modernist buildings with a 7-acre urban forest. The grounds are the legacy of Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955), a collector and philanthropist whose passion for art and science shaped the site. Since 1983, CAM has collected and presented one of the key collections of Portuguese modern and contemporary art, making it available to the public and researchers. The Kengo Kuma & Associates studio undertook the modernization of the building, basing the project on British architect Sir Leslie Martin's original concept. Work began in 2019, and after five years of renovation, the center officially opened to the public in September 2024. The modernization adapted the building to modern functional and technological requirements, while preserving its historical character.
The Galust Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon - a view of the building block
Photo by Fernando Guerra © Kengo Kuma & Associates
engawa: Japanese inspiration
at the heart of a Portuguese museum
Kengo Kuma's team remodeled the Gulbenkian Museum, integrating it with the surrounding green space. The upgrade included the addition of an engawa, a covered walkway inspired by Japanese traditional architecture. In Japan, the engawa serves as an intermediate zone that connects the interior of the building to the outside landscape. In this museum, the solution allows visitors to experience a seamless connection between architecture and the outdoors and facilitates access to nature. The design harmonizes with the Gulbenkian Foundation's gardens, reflecting Kengo Kuma's approach, which emphasizes human-centered architecture and harmony with the environment.
The Galust Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon - a cross section of the concave arch canopy
© Kengo Kuma & Associates
"Canopy" of handmade tiles
The architects created a 100-meter concave arched canopy, covered with white handmade Portuguese tiles. The structure extends over the building, and its underside, finished in ash wood, creates a sheltered space for visitors. The roof not only protects from the weather, but also offers a place for outdoor gatherings. The materials used draw on the craft traditions of Portugal and Japan, emphasizing the importance of local heritage and connection to nature in both cultures.
The Galusta Gulbenkiana Museum in Lisbon - the concave arch canopy is covered with white handmade tiles
Photo by Pedro Cardigo © Kengo Kuma & Associates
With the addition of the roof, during the renovation of the existing museum, we wanted to emphasize the original beauty of the building, exposing its structure through minimal intrusion, while creating seamless sight lines to the gardens on all sides
- emphasize the architects.
The Galust Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon - a cross section of the building
Photo by Fernando Guerra © Kengo Kuma & Associates
new gallery under engawa:
more space for Gulbenkian art
The office also added a new gallery on the second underground level, located directly under the engawa. This solution has increased the exhibition space, making it possible to display Gulbenkian's extensive art collection and facilitating collaborations with artists.
The Galusta Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon - a view of the new gallery under the engawa
Photo by Fernando Guerra © Kengo Kuma & Associates
Vladimir Djurovic's garden:
urban forest on the route to the museum
The new entrance to the museum leads through gardens that connect the building to its surroundings, creating an urban forest with a variety of plant species. Vladimir Djurovic is responsible for the landscape design, having developed the concept for the green space. Dense and varied vegetation lines the walking route, gradually revealing other elements: clearings, meadows, smaller garden spaces and bodies of water. The garden, designed with precision and attention to detail, will evolve over time, becoming an integral part of the landscape and complementing the architectural vision of the museum.
The Galust Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon - Kengo Kuma & Associates office integrated the building with the surrounding greenery
Photo by Fernando Guerra © Kengo Kuma & Associates
Why is CAM's modernization a landmark project
by Kengo Kuma in Portugal?
The modernization of the Gulbenkian Center for Modern Art in Lisbon represents Kengo Kuma's first project in Portugal. The building integrates art, architecture and landscape into a cohesive space, setting it apart from other cultural institutions. The combination of these elements may set the stage for future museum projects, inspiring new approaches to the design of public spaces.
The Galust Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon - a view of the institution's building block
Photo by Tugce Ari © Kengo Kuma & Associates
what will we see in the museum's collection?
The Gulbenkian Center for Modern Art presents a collection of nearly 12,000 works, open to the public. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, installations, drawings, prints, photographs and films. The artists include Portuguese artists such as Helena Almeida, Paula Rego and Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, as well as international artists such as Robert Delaunay, David Hockney and Bridget Riley. The modernization has given the museum the space to exhibit these works, while also fostering a dialogue between local and global art.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Kengo Kuma & Associates.
