CAM - CENTRO DE ARTE MODERNA GULBENKIAN
The CAM - Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian is a collaborative project between the Gulbenkian Foundation, Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA), Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture (VDLA), and OODA, focused on redesigning the building originally completed in 1983 by British architect Leslie Martin. This redesign will enhance the museum’s function as home to one of the world’s most significant collections of modern and contemporary Portuguese art.
The primary intervention introduces a curved canopy structure, which harmonizes the relationship between the existing building and the surrounding garden. This canopy transforms the underutilized outdoor area into an inviting, inclusive space without disrupting its natural beauty. Inspired by the Japanese concept of Engawa, the design fosters social interaction and a connection with nature at a human scale. The free-standing canopy stretches approximately 107 meters in length and 15 meters in width, comprising a gently curved slab supported by two rows of columns. Its surface is made of ceramic tiles crafted in Portugal.
The Engawa—a sheltered walkway typical of Japanese homes—represents a space that is neither entirely indoors nor outdoors. True to this typology, the redesigned architecture merges seamlessly with the surrounding gardens of the Gulbenkian Foundation. This approach reflects Kuma’s vision of “soft and humane architecture”, while also supporting CAM’s goal of creating a stronger connection between the building, the garden, and the city.
A new entrance leads visitors to an extended garden, designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic, which has been transformed into a dense urban forest. The organic, free-flowing design invites exploration and immersion in nature. As visitors meander through the landscape, they encounter the central lake and the newly renovated facade of the CAM, now clad in reflective ceramic tiles and framed by the trees.
Inside, the redesigned gallery space offers new opportunities for temporary exhibitions, while a separate mezzanine provides flexibility for distinct gallery experiences on each level. This expansion not only increases the overall floor space but also enriches the diversity of gallery environments. The gallery’s warm, wood-panelled underside contrasts with the ceramic exterior, extending the visual language of the gallery’s ceilings and subtly integrating nature into the interior spaces. The result is an architectural environment where nature coexists with art and architecture, enhancing the visitor experience without overshadowing the building’s original structure or its artwork.
