designboom · Creativity & design

Foster + Partners Completes Floating Addition Above Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

Foster + Partners and Bilbao architect Luis María Uriarte have completed "Agravitas," a new volume added above the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, expanding its space while preserving the visibility of its older structures.

The expansion adds approximately 6,000 square meters, with the new structure spanning 55 meters between V-shaped columns, creating an elevated bridge with deep cantilevers. The museum is set to reopen on October 6th, 2026.

Beneath the new structure, the former Plaza Arriaga is transformed into a covered atrium of over 1,000 square meters, sheltering a restored monument and artworks. This space connects the museum's various additions, with visitors able to enter through the original 1945 doorway.

Inside "Agravitas," about 2,300 square meters are dedicated to new exhibition areas, including the column-free BBK Museoa for temporary exhibitions. An additional 1,635 square meters are allocated for the permanent collection. Approximately 8,000 square meters of existing architecture have also been renovated.

The design utilizes steel, drawing on Bilbao's industrial heritage. The elevated addition rests on V-shaped columns, with much of the structure produced locally. The roof includes photovoltaic panels, and the facade design incorporates shading and natural ventilation.

The project's strategy of building upward preserves the visual independence of the museum's older buildings, making the space between architectural generations a key feature. The new horizontal silhouette extends beyond the historic facades.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.