renzo piano-designed centro botín set to open in santander

a renzo piano-designed art center is set to open its doors to the public in santander. situated on a landmark waterfront site, ‘centro botín’ — piano’s first building in spain — will open with three major shows: the country’s first exhibition dedicated to carsten höller, a series of drawings by francisco goya, and the presentation of the institution’s permanent contemporary art collection. in addition, spanish installation artist cristina iglesias has created a sculptural intervention for the cultural venue.

the building is renzo piano’s first in spain
image © fundación botín, belén de benito

centro botín has been designed by italian architect renzo piano for fundación botín, one of spain’s most important private cultural foundations. opening on june 23, 2017, the building will serve as a permanent home for artistic, cultural, and educational programs. reclaiming an area of land formerly used as a car park, the elevated 10,285 square meter structure is covered with 270,000 reflective ceramic discs. the building includes 2,500 square meters of galleries, a 300-seat auditorium, classrooms, work spaces, a restaurant, a shop, and a rooftop terrace overlooking both the city and the bay.

the elevated structure is covered with 270,000 reflective ceramic discs
image © fundación botín, gerardo vela

curated by vicente todolí and udo kittlemann, carsten höller’s first show in spain will feature new pieces alongside a selection of well-known works. höller has also created a site specific light installation, ‘7.8Hz’, which remains active from sunset to sunrise. selected from the museo del prado’s world famous collection, 80 drawings by francisco goya will be displayed as part of an exhibition curated by josé manuel matilla and manuela mena. a first selection from the permanent collection of the fundación botín will also be presented, featuring works by artists who have directed a visual arts workshop over the past 15 years.

the art center is set in santander’s pereda gardens, which, as part of the development, has been completely overhauled. extended by landscape designer fernando caruncho, in collaboration with renzo piano building workshop, the restored gardens have been doubled in size, connecting the city center with the waterfront. the venue will include exhibitions by major international creatives, as well as regular showings of work by emerging artists. centro botín will open to the public on friday june 23, 2017.

Save

renzo piano-designed centro botín art center set to open in santander

ARCHITECTURE IN SPAIN (618)

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES (651)

RENZO PIANO (92)

PRODUCT LIBRARY

designboom will always be there for you