Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM)

The Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM) is a contemporary art museum established in Lisbon, Portugal, by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, one of Europe’s leading cultural institutions. NDC designed the signage system for the museum’s major renovation.

The new architecture features a distinctive curved overhanging roof inspired by the “engawa” — the veranda found in traditional Japanese wooden houses — designed to create seamless harmony between architecture and nature.

Drawing from this architectural context, we shaped the signage by bending steel at obtuse angles. These signs blend naturally with the surroundings while providing clear directional guidance when needed, functioning as three-dimensional arrows that clearly indicate pathways. We unified the design with colors reminiscent of weathered iron, creating elements that harmonize with both indoor spaces and gardens, enhancing the connection between interior and exterior environments.