The team formed by the Spanish firm Baile Menduiña and two Portuguese practices – del medio atelier and Luis Manuel Pereira – has won the competition to refurbish and extend the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC), in Lisbon’s Chaido district.

The project inserts a new volume amid historical edifices, respecting the heritage value of the surroundings while incorporating contemporary design elements. The selection of materials is rooted in local tradition. The building’s base is clad in Lioz stone, and the upper levels in ceramic mosaic.

The museum tour is organized in a linear system. At the entrance level, the main foyer connects directly with the sculpture garden. The permanent exhibition is on the lower floor, while the galleries for temporary shows and the library are in the upper stories. A longitudinal terrace on top gives panoramas of Lisbon. The underground levels accommodate the technical and storage areas. The project also includes a restoration space visible to the public, so visitors are treated to a peep into the art conservation process.