Lisbon's new museum dedicated to art, architecture and technology designed by British architect Amanda Levete's firm AL_A opens today. Resembling a scallop shell, the new museum complex, located on the EDP Foundation Campus, is intended to trigger an exciting urban revitalisation along one of Lisbon’s most historic waterfronts. 

The campus comprises the elegant new kunsthalle designed by AL_A, and the recently renovated Central Tejo power station. The MAAT opens its doors to the public today, coinciding with the start of the Lisbon Architecture Triennale. 

Image © Hufton+Crow

Housed within two buildings and spanning a vast outdoor site, MAAT will explore contemporary culture through visual arts, new media, architecture, technology and science.

AL_A’s new museum contains four distinct gallery spaces, captures the essence of the exceptional 38,000 square meters riverside site and its extraordinary light. Blending structure into landscape, and conceived to create significant new public spaces, it is designed to allow visitors to walk over and under, as well as through the building, while the undulating roof offers panoramic views towards the river and across Belém. 

Image © Hufton+Crow

The building creates a constantly changing place filled with aquatic reflections that interplay with the overhanging façade covered in 15,000 three-dimensional tiles, a reference to Portugal’s rich tradition of ceramics.

Image © AL_A

The new museum complex will launch in two phases. Following its inauguration this month, the second phase is set to launch in March 2017 with the opening of an elegant pedestrian bridge, also designed by AL_A, that lands on the museum roof, making the campus and waterfront more accessible to the city. 

The completion of the architectural project will also include the opening of a restaurant, as well as a park designed by Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture.

Central Tejo power station. Image © EDP Foundation

''In understanding EDP’s ambition for Lisbon, our design draws on the context of the site, creating both physical and conceptual connections to the waterfront and back to the heart of the city. The waterfront is so essential to the project that the design literally reflects it. The overhanging roof that creates welcome shade is used to bounce sunlight off the water and into the Main Gallery, one of the four interconnected exhibition spaces,'' said Amanda Levete, Principal of AL_A.

Central Tejo power station. Image © EDP Foundation

''MAAT will restore the historic connection between the city and the water. It will be a hub for attracting people who come here to enjoy art and architecture. More than that, however, it will draw people from the heart of the city to the panoramic views along the Tagus estuary, a riverfront area that has long been neglected, but thanks to MAAT, will become a vibrant new destination within Lisbon,'' said António Mexia, CEO of EDP Group and Chairman of EDP Foundation.

Image © AL_A

''With its unique industrial heritage, a growing collection of Portuguese art and an innovative exhibition programme, MAAT will be a cultural space of discovery, critical thinking and global dialogue. MAAT will not only support the work of Portuguese artists and curators, but will also offer them a platform to connect with the international art community,'' added Pedro Gadanho, Director of MAAT.

Image © AL_A

Committed to creating an environment in which diverse audiences can access contemporary art through educational programs and special events, the EDP Foundation’s new museum will be a space for discovery, critical thinking and international dialogue with its unique heritage, an expanding Portuguese art collection and an innovative exhibition programme.

Image © AL_A

Image © AL_A

Image © AL_A

Masterplan. Image © AL_A

Roof floor plan. Image © AL_A

Floor plan level-00. Image © AL_A

Floor plan level-01. Image © AL_A

Section. Image © AL_A

West elevation. Image © AL_A

South elevation. Image © AL_A

Amanda Levete. Image © Matt Holyoaks

Pedro Gadanho, Director of MAAT. Image © David Farran

Top image © Hufton+Crow

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