A cultural space specializing in pottery in Portugal’s historic city.

The Albuquerque Foundation, designed by Brazilian architectural firm Bernardes Arquitetura in Sintra, Portugal, was completed in 2025. This cultural facility, with a total area of ​​4000 m2, specializes in the exhibition and research of Chinese export ceramics and modern ceramic art.

Sintra is a city with historical scenery designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the emergence of new cultural infrastructure is attracting attention.

The intersection of Eastern and Western ceramic cultures

The Albuquerque Foundation is an organization that pursues academic research on ceramic art beyond a simple exhibition space. In particular, it takes on the role of illuminating the history of artistic exchange between East and West in that it deals with both historical ceramics and contemporary ceramic works exported from China to Europe.

Chinese export porcelain was very popular among European aristocrats from the 16th to the 19th century, and Portugal served as a center for this cultural exchange through maritime trade. Building on this historical context, the Albuquerque Foundation also encompasses modern ceramic art, connecting the past and present of ceramic culture.

International project of a leading Brazilian architectural firm

Bernardes Architetura, who designed the design, is one of Brazil's leading architectural firms. This office, led by Thiago Bernardes, included Thiago Moretti, Camila Tariki, and Ilana Daylac as chief architects.

Topiaris was responsible for the landscape design, OHM-E was in charge of lighting engineering, and Meyvaert and HCI were in charge of consulting and construction, respectively. Some say it is a project that symbolizes the cultural connection between Brazil and Portugal.

Changes in Sintra’s cultural landscape

Sintra is a tourist city famous for historical monuments such as Pena Palace and Moorish Castle. The opening of the Albuquerque Foundation is expected to add modern cultural infrastructure to the area and establish itself as a new cultural hub where history and art coexist.