The Algarve region of Portugal, known for its sun-drenched landscapes and rich history, has gained a new cultural landmark: the Museu Casa do Colecionador in Moncarapacho. Designed by Atelier Data, this project masterfully transforms a pre-existing building into a dynamic exhibition space, seamlessly blending preservation with contemporary intervention. The museum houses three distinct collections – sacred art, exceptional canes, and ivory paintings – each finding its unique spatial expression within the building’s historic fabric.
The existing structure, with its grand nave and tranquil rear courtyard, provided a compelling canvas for Atelier Data’s vision. The architects conceived a continuous, linear exhibition path that unfolds through the building, guiding visitors on a journey of discovery. This path becomes an exhibition space in itself, subtly organizing the diverse collections.
The journey begins in the main nave, where the Sacred Art collection finds its home. Utilizing the existing walls and niches, the display reinforces the building’s original ecclesiastical function, creating a powerful sense of continuity. The nave, with its restored terracotta tile flooring, whitewashed walls, and traditional “canudo” roof tiles, evokes the authentic character of Algarvean architecture. The meticulous restoration extends to the main entrance, where a blood-red wooden door, a replica of the original, welcomes visitors.
From this historically resonant space, the visitor is drawn towards a striking contemporary intervention: a white steel and metal ramp that gracefully ascends through the building’s vertical volume. This ramp, designed as a modular structure for ease of installation and adaptability, provides approximately 45 linear meters of exhibition surface for the extensive cane collection. The ramp’s “floating and rising” quality, as described by the architects, encourages exploration and offers dynamic perspectives of the surrounding space. Its stark white materiality contrasts beautifully with the traditional finishes of the nave, marking a clear transition between the building’s historical and contemporary layers.
Extending beyond the ramp, over the courtyard, a third distinct volume emerges: a suspended dark box housing the delicate ivory paintings. This dramatic shift in materiality and atmosphere creates an intimate and focused environment. The dimly lit interior concentrates attention on the intricate details of the small artworks, offering a contemplative counterpoint to the open and airy spaces preceding it. A spiral staircase descends from this suspended volume, leading visitors back to the ground floor and into the rear patio, completing the exhibition circuit.
The material palette employed by Atelier Data is crucial to the project’s success. The architects consciously chose materials that reflect the nature of the art on display. The stark white steel and metal of the cane ramp emphasizes its modern intervention, while the dark, intimate enclosure for the ivory pieces creates a sense of preciousness and focus. In contrast, the nave and courtyard spaces celebrate the traditional materials of the Algarve: terracotta tiles, whitewashed walls, and “canudo” roof tiles. This careful selection of materials creates a rich tapestry of textures and atmospheres, enhancing the visitor’s experience.
The lighting strategy further enhances the building’s inherent drama. Recognizing the space’s original function as a place of worship, Atelier Data skillfully manipulates natural light through targeted openings, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Artificial lighting is focused through spotlights directed at the individual artworks, rather than relying on general illumination. This approach accentuates the objects on display and adds depth to the overall spatial experience.
The Museu Casa do Colecionador is a testament to the power of sensitive architectural intervention. Atelier Data has successfully woven together historical preservation and contemporary design, creating a museum that is both respectful of its past and engaging for the present. The result is a compelling cultural destination that celebrates art, architecture, and the rich heritage of the Algarve.