National Coach Museum – New Building
Paulo Mendes da Rocha; MMBB Arquitetos; Bak Gordon Arquitectos · Lisbon, Portugal · 2015
The new National Coach Museum brings a royal collection into a distinctly contemporary public building in Lisbon's Belém district. Paulo Mendes da Rocha, MMBB and Bak Gordon organized the museum around large elevated exhibition halls, creating a sheltered public space below. Opened in 2015, the building contrasts exposed structure and a clear geometric order with the elaborate historic vehicles displayed inside. Ramps and stairs make the transition between street level and galleries part of the architectural experience. The new museum is separate from the collection's historic home in the former Royal Riding School across the street. Visiting: The new museum building is ticketed. The historic Royal Riding School is a separate building across the street.