Location: Prehistoric Rock-Art Site of the Côa Valley, Portugal.

Architect: Camilo Rebelo Tiago Pimentel.

The Museum of Art and Archaeology of the Côa Valley was designed with a focus on topography, accessibilities, and program. The museum entrance is located at the top of the topography, which required the creation of a platform, terrace, and belvedere to provide visitors with a view of the impressive landscape. The triangular form of the building was designed to reflect the confluences of the two valleys and the crossing of the Douro and Côa rivers. The building’s materiality evokes the local stone yards and is made of concrete with shale pigment and texture made from molds extracted from existing rocks. The museum is designed as an installation on the landscape, with the fusion of different aspects creating a unique and impressive structure.

Photo credit: Camilo Rebelo and Tiago Pimentel, Cláudio Reis.