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The Reina Sofía chooses between three projects for the transformation of its fourth floor
The joint committee of experts from the Reina Sofía Museum and MANERA Magazine has selected three finalist projects from among the proposals submitted to the open call for the design of a new reception area on the fourth floor of the Sabatini Building. This initiative is part of the ongoing process of incorporating spaces dedicated to education and relaxation within the floors housing the Collection.
BeAr, Enorme Studio, and Jorge Penadés/Penadés Office have been selected to continue in the competition to design the new reception area to be located on the fourth floor of the Sabatini Building. This proposal, conceived as an open and accessible space, will offer rest areas for the general public, facilitate group gatherings, and host various educational activities. With its design, the museum aims to enrich the visitor experience, creating a welcoming and dynamic environment that complements the tours of the Collection.
The options
Among the eighteen applications received —a call that has sparked considerable interest among young architecture studios eager to explore new ways of integrating design, art and architecture in those common spaces that, without exhibiting works, support mediation and care within the Museum— three teams have been selected: BeAr, Enorme Studio and Jorge Penadés/Penadés Office.
BeAr, based in Bilbao, envisions the future gallery as a threshold that invites visitors to explore and find their way, a transit space that guides them without imposing routes or visual hierarchies. Their proposal stands out for the soundness of its thinking and for a sensitivity that connects the visitor's experience with the museum's cultural dimension.
From Madrid, Enorme Studio —with extensive experience in museum, educational and participatory projects— is committed to a constantly evolving space: flexible, accessible and attentive to the human scale, where coexistence and interaction emerge as central axes of design.
The third vision comes from Jorge Penadés, a native of Málaga residing in Madrid, whose work is recognized for its experimental and inquisitive nature. His project conceives of the gallery as an act of cultural mediation in itself, where light, materials, and furnishings weave a narrative that is activated by the presence of the public.
In February 2026, the Reina Sofía Museum will unveil a new chapter in the presentation of its Collections, inaugurating a journey that spans from the Transition to the present day. This update will also include this 145-square-meter space, designed as a welcoming and relaxing area to complement and enhance the visitor experience.
