Dezeen

"Even Donkeys Like" The Casa Das Histórias Museum Says Eduardo Souto De Moura

The video features Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura explaining his commission to create the Casa das Histórias for painter Paula Rego. Rego’s brief was simple: a modest house, not a monumental museum, with specific works to display. Moura responded with a flexible layout of rooms for small lithographs and large canvases, anchored by an 11‑meter‑high central hall for rotating contemporary exhibitions. Moura chose the site in Cascais after the municipality offered three plots. He selected the densely treed option, preserving the existing canopy and designing two pyramidal concrete volumes that remain visible from the street. The building’s red concrete palette draws on early‑20th‑century architect Raulino, whose dark‑red façades age into richer tones, and the material’s texture mirrors Raulino’s distinctive tile patterns. Key design gestures include diagonal cuts that create interior windows and benches, linking interior gallery space with the surrounding forest. The central hall’s height accommodates large installations, while the surrounding rooms adapt to varied artwork dimensions. Moura notes the project has faced no criticism—“even donkeys like it”—highlighting its broad acceptance. The museum exemplifies how contemporary architecture can honor an artist’s vision, respect historic references, and integrate seamlessly with a natural setting, setting a benchmark for culturally responsive design in Portugal and beyond.