The building is elevated 20 feet above the ground on steel columns to maintain public access to the waterfront.
The ceramic tile cladding system is designed to break down nitrogen oxides from vehicle exhaust in the surrounding area.
The western volume contains the exhibition galleries, while the eastern volume houses the educational and administrative spaces.
The construction required the diversion of an existing coastal road into an underground tunnel to reconnect the city center with the sea.
The project site occupies land that was previously used as a parking lot for the city's ferry terminal.
Centro Botín is an art center designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, opened in 2017. The building consists of two distinct volumes suspended over the Bay of Santander on concrete columns. The structure is clad in 280,000 circular ceramic tiles designed to reflect the light and colors of the Cantabrian Sea. It houses a permanent collection of contemporary art, including works by Goya and contemporary Spanish artists, alongside rotating international exhibitions. The facility features a high-ceilinged atrium, two main gallery spaces, and a panoramic terrace. It serves as an anchor for the surrounding Pereda Gardens. The design prioritizes transparency and connectivity with the surrounding urban landscape of Santander.
From the Pereda Gardens looking up at the building's underside, where the structure appears to hover above the water.
Access the rooftop terrace via the exterior stairs for an unblocked panoramic view of the Bay of Santander.
Book exhibition tickets online in advance to skip the queue at the main desk.
Walk the entire length of the building's exterior perimeter to see how the views change with the tide.
Do not overlook the smaller, secondary exhibitions located in the education wing.
Closed on Mondays except during public holidays and peak summer months.
