Gulbenkian's Center of Modern Art Wins ArchDaily's 2025 Building of the Year Award for Cultural Architecture

The renovation and expansion of the Centro de Arte Moderna (CAM) in Lisbon, led by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, has been awarded ArchDaily's 2025 Building of the Year in the cultural architecture category. The project, which reopened on September 24, 2024, after four years of extensive work and a €58 million investment, was chosen by public vote.

The winning project is distinguished by its seamless connection between the building and the surrounding gardens. Kuma's design integrates the architecture into the Gulbenkian Foundation's gardens, reflecting his vision for a soft, human-centered architecture that enhances the connection between the building, garden, and city. The design incorporates elements of traditional Japanese architecture, particularly the 'engawa,' a space between the building and garden that blurs the lines between interior and exterior.

The original building, designed by British architect Leslie Martin, was built in 1983 to house a significant collection of Portuguese modern and contemporary art. The renovation involved collaboration with Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic and the Portuguese studio OODA.