Amanda Levete is the creator of the amazing contemporary architecture of the new Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) in Lisbon. The undulating and tile-covered Museum, opened it’s doors last Wednesday, at the same time of the beginning of the Lisbon Architecture Triennale. Over 15,000 people flocked to see Belém’s latest contemporary offering, forcing the closure of a nearby footbridge. Let’s take a look inside?
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IMAGE CREDITS: AMANDA LEVETE ARCHITECTS
The building is the first phase of a new contemporary art gallery designed by Amanda Levete. On the bank of the River Tagus, the arching structure is designed as a continuation of the promenade. Its gently humped form is covered in 15,000 glazed tiles and is designed to allow visitors to walk over the roof.
IMAGE CREDITS: AMANDA LEVETE ARCHITECTS
The MAAT is not finished yet, but should be over in March of 2017, even so, the Museum offered 12h of free guide visits, shows, events and concerts for all the visitors!
“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,” explains Amanda Levete.
The British feel in love with Lisbon over a decade ago- “I’ve loved Lisbon ever since” she said. And now, she has her own building there: a sparkling ceramic swooping crest on the banks of the Tagus River.
This building aims to present both national and international exhibitions with the contribution of artists, architects, and contemporary thinkers. Reflecting topics and current trends, the program will present different curatorial perspectives on the EDP Foundation Art Collection.
“Urbanistically, the point was to connect this building to the city”said Levete. “And in design terms, it felt important to produce something organic. Everything else in this city is made of straight lines.”
MAAT comes to offer a new cultural impulse and landscape to the city of Lisbon. The diversity of programs and spaces make it an important point on the cultural map of the city. A proposal designed for all audiences and ages. It offers around 7000 square meters of new exhibition space!
The ceramic cladding (developed by Cumella in Barcelona, who have long provided the tiles for the Sagrada Famiglia) slips in too, cementing the solubility between inside and out.
The museum is part of the EDP Foundation, the organization’s philanthropic, cultural arm, and as such, the choice of architect was not subject to any competition.
MAAT is at Avenida Brasilia, Lisbon.
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