Considering the context of the collection and the house where the exhibition would be integrated, P06 developed a dynamic and curious approach to the collection, aiming to present it in an interactive, hands-on, and colorful way — bringing “life” to a collection that represents “past lives.”

The collection is extensive and constantly being updated, making it essential to design a flexible exhibition that allows for the introduction of new pieces. Based on this premise, P06 proposed displaying the collection on horizontal planes, which would make it easy to rearrange sets, add new groups, and create new highlights.

In the sand-free areas, where there are no emerging volumes, various graphic elements and three-dimensional pieces await discovery — ready to be “excavated” by museum visitors. This aspect was a key part of the concept’s development: the idea of reviving Hipólito’s tradition of sparking curiosity and encouraging new explorations in the field of archaeology.

"This project is the result of years of hard work. 
The City Council team was committed to ensuring 
that the Hipólito Cabaço Museum opened with 
dignity and opened its doors to all who wanted to visit. 
We don't want this to be a finished museum. 
We want it to be alive, to be visited by those 
interested in the subject and to be explored. 
We want it to be an open door to all who venerate 
Hipólito Cabaço, to all who study archaeology, 
and to all who dedicate themselves to activities like these," 
said the Alenquer city council official, Claúdia Luís.

The Hipólito Cabaço Museum is located in the Casa da Torre, in Alenquer. A former schoolhouse that once served as the home of the archaeologist and his family. Today, it presents a collection of over 2,000 artifacts from various historical periods, all of which are archaeological finds from this municipality.

Hipólito Cabaço was a distinguished archaeologist from the town of Alenquer, who inspired the study and development of this science in the region. He identified archaeological sites and deposits from different periods — from the Paleolithic to the Medieval era — throughout the area, particularly in the municipalities of Alenquer, Azambuja, Peniche, Elvas, and others.

Considering the context of the collection and the house where the exhibition would be integrated, P06 developed a dynamic and curious approach to the collection, aiming to present it in an interactive, hands-on, and colorful way — bringing “life” to a collection that represents “past lives.”

Our intention was to create an exhibition in direct dialogue with the earth, symbolized by the opening of the house’s windows, which also functions as the exhibition space. This approach seeks to express the strong connection between the collector’s legacy, the building, and the town of Alenquer.

We chose the color orange as a stylized representation of the earth’s tone, where most of the collection was discovered. These large surfaces were filled with sand, from which volumes, display cases, and glass domes emerge — showcasing the sets and individual pieces in an impactful and surprising way.

"This project is the result of years of hard work. 
The City Council team was committed to ensuring 
that the Hipólito Cabaço Museum opened with 
dignity and opened its doors to all who wanted to visit. 
We don't want this to be a finished museum. 
We want it to be alive, to be visited by those 
interested in the subject and to be explored. 
We want it to be an open door to all who venerate 
Hipólito Cabaço, to all who study archaeology, 
and to all who dedicate themselves to activities like these," 
said the Alenquer city council official, Claúdia Luís.

Creative Direction

Nuno Gusmão

Design

Jacinta Fialho (ambientes)
Vanda Mota (comunicção)
Francisco Tarracha (estagiário)
Vanessa Câmara (estagiário)

Photo

Eduardo Montenegro