The president of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Artur Santos Silva, handed over the 2013 Vilalva Award yesterday to the director of the Caramulo Museum, Tiago Patrício Gouveia.

The rehabilitation of the exhibition space at the Caramulo Museum won the award that recognises works of restoration and enhancement of cultural patrimony, worth €50,000. Celebrating 60 years of existence, the Museum was distinguished for the modernisation of its exhibition rooms and the renewal of its museographic discourse, in a project by architect Teresa Nunes da Ponte.

The project proposes a refurbishment based on the existing space, but capable of giving it a contemporary feel through a new layout, the design of new display stands, the introduction of new lighting technologies and a new visual identity (designed by the Pedro Falcão studio).

The project also contemplates an expansion of the exhibition area devoted to the contemporary art collection, which has been receiving new donations, and the creation of a room dedicated to the history of the museum and its founders, Abel and João de Lacerda. A number of problems, such as cracks and damp patches on the walls, will also be rectified. The new exhibition layout will highlight certain sections in order to add value to the collection and strengthen its relationship with the public. To this end, two dozen major works have been selected as examples of the diversity of this collection.