serralves travelling art museum

Axonometric view of the proposal

Serralves @ Vila Real

Serralves @ Bragança

Serralves @ Viseu

Serralves @ Viana do Castelo

Serralves @ Guimarães

Serralves @ Faro

Serralves @ Coimbra

Serralves @ Évora

A symmetric set of perforations on the upper part of each module would create a possible circuit for MEP, while suggesting an architectonic frieze of representational effect when it meets the facade envelope

Serralves Foundation is one of the most prominent Portuguese cultural institutions, with its seat in Porto. It comprises a city park including the gardens, the iconic art-deco villa and the contemporary art museum designed by Siza Vieira.

The competition called for the creation of a modular, movable pavilion, so that itinerant art exhibitions curated by Serralves Foundation could take place in any Portuguese city. With areas ranging from 200 to 600 square meters, this “temporary” building would need to comply with all requirements of a modern exhibition space, like climate, humidity, light and safety control.

The proposal was based in a single, portable modular element composed of several easily assembled parts, with a square floor plan of 25 sqm and 5,5 meters high, big and versatile enough to house any function required, from the foyer and exhibition spaces to the technical and infrastructure areas. The association of several modules would result in a ever changeable building, able to react to different urban and dimensional contexts, within a matrix of infinite variability made possible by the module’s associations.

The elected material for structural elements of the modular pavilion, cross-laminated timber with a thickness of 250mm, would ensure easy portability and resilience to frequent moving and weather conditions, while bringing intrinsic qualities like thermal inertia, soundproofing and fire resistance, that are paramount for the required programme. Zenith lighting and a light diffusing canvas would allow for even natural light diffusion and control. A symmetric set of perforations on the upper part of each module would create a possible circuit for MEP, while suggesting an architectonic frieze of representational effect when it meets the facade envelope: a subtle allusion to the civic character of Palladio’s Basilica in Vicenza. Outside, a LED display in the spandrel of each module would supply the media and interactivity requirements within the public realm.