The IED Madrid alumni has designed Alhacena, the Museo Reina Sofía's new welcoming and rest area, integrated into the Collection. Contemporary Art: 1975–Present exhibition route.
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Product Design IED Madrid alumni Jorge Penadés designs the Museo Reina Sofía's new public space
Date
02 July 2026
Designer Jorge Penadés, an Product Design alumni of IED Madrid, is the creator of Alhacena, the Museo Reina Sofía's new welcoming and rest area. Selected through an open call launched by the museum and MANERA Magazine, the project reimagines the exhibition experience by inviting visitors to pause, read, converse or simply spend time within the museum.
Inspired by the Mediterranean kitchen as a place of gathering and everyday life, Alhacena takes its name from the traditional built-in cupboard designed to store and make essential objects easily accessible. This concept is brough to life through a large linear wooden structure that incorporates reading and relaxation areas, sofas, stepped seating, tables, chairs and curtains.
Located on the fourth floor of the Sabatini Building, the installation now forms part of the Collection. Contemporary Art: 1975–Present route, offering visitors a more welcoming and participatory museum experience. With Alhacena, Jorge Penadés continues to build a career defined by the intersection of design, material research and craftsmanship, creating projects that rethink the relationship between people and spaces.
*Photos: Instagram Museo Reina Sofía. Germán Saiz.
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