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3 clusters · 10 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao expansion and reopening

Overview

The Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao has officially reopened following the completion of a major expansion and remodeling project known as ‘Agravitas’. Designed by Foster + Partners in collaboration with architect Luis María Uriarte, the renovation added approximately 6,000 square meters of space, increasing the museum’s total area by nearly 60 percent.

The architectural design utilizes a structural approach functioning like a 55-meter steel bridge supported by V-shaped pillars. This elevated volume sits above the museum’s existing 1945 and 1970s buildings, allowing the original architecture to remain visible. Key features include the BBK Museoa, a 1,300-square-meter column-free gallery for temporary exhibitions, new educational facilities, offices, and public sculpture terraces. The project also restores the main entrance through the Atrio Arriaga, a 1,000-square-meter covered plaza.

The reopening ceremony, which included performances by the Kukaihanda dance group, was attended by over 700 guests, including Bilbao Mayor Juan Mari Aburto and Lehendakari Imanol Pradales. Following the ceremony, the museum officially reopened to the public on October 6. To mark the occasion, the institution offered a week of free admission.

A significant addition to the collection is ‘La búsqueda del comienzo’, a group of approximately one hundred works provided by the late businessman Plácido Arango. This collection includes the sculpture ‘Bilbao’ by Richard Serra, which returns to the museum after being held in a private collection.

Entities

Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao · Luis María Uriarte · Norman Foster · Bilbao · Agravitas

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Bilbao Fine Arts Museum completes Agravitas expansion

    The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum has reopened following the completion of the Agravitas expansion, a Foster + Partners project that adds 60% more space via an elevated steel structure above historic buildings.

  2. [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao reopens after major expansion

    The Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao has reopened after a four-year expansion designed by Norman Foster, featuring new architectural volumes and a significant collection of works from Plácido Arango.

  3. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao reopens after Norman Foster expansion

    The Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao will reopen on October 6 following a major expansion by architect Norman Foster, adding 6,000 square meters of exhibition space to the city's cultural landscape.

Sources

ariadna.elmundo.es · artribune.com · bilbaohiria.com · blooloop.com · cope.es · deia.eus · elindependiente.com · lasemainedansleboulonnais.fr · philips.com · que.es

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history