Pavilion of Knowledge - Ciência Viva

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Parque das Nações

Location

Located in the modern area of Parque das Nações, in Lisbon, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Pavilion of Knowledge) is situated on the right bank of the Tagus River. It is set within an urban environment that was entirely planned and built for the 1998 World Exhibition (Expo'98), standing out for its contemporary architecture and proximity to the waterfront. Its position in Parque das Nações makes it part of a revitalized area of the city with unique characteristics.

Origin and Architecture

The building where the Pavilhão do Conhecimento operates today has a history linked to a significant event for Lisbon. It was built for Expo'98, serving during that period as the Pavilion of Knowledge of the Seas, dedicated to exploring the relationship between humans and the oceans. The architectural project, signed by João Carrilho da Graça, and the engineering, under the responsibility of António Adão da Fonseca, earned the structure the Valmor and Municipal Architecture Prize in 1998.

After the end of the universal exhibition, the space was transformed to host the current science center, reopening its doors in July 1999. It maintains the original design of the award-winning building, adapting it to its new function of interactive scientific dissemination.

An Interactive Discovery Space

This center is dedicated to making science and technology more accessible and understandable for the general public. It is designed as an interactive museum where learning occurs through experimentation and active participation. The main objective is to stimulate curiosity and exploration of the physical world and the phenomena around us, showing that science is present in everyday life.

With a vast exhibition area of 4000 m², the Pavilhão do Conhecimento addresses themes from various fields of scientific knowledge, such as Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and even Social Sciences, through exhibitions and activities designed for all ages.

Experiences to Explore

The main highlight for visitors are the hundreds of interactive modules available. Unlike a traditional museum, here visitors are invited to touch, test, and discover for themselves. It is possible, for example, to pedal a bicycle suspended several meters off the ground, feel what it's like to lie on a bed of nails without getting hurt, try to steer a car with square wheels, or interact with simulations of natural phenomena like a tornado.

These practical experiences, combined with thematic exhibitions and activities like laboratories (including a "kitchen is a laboratory"), create a dynamic environment that encourages the exploration of science in an original and engaging way.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt