Alhacena: Domestic Rest Space Opens at Reina Sofía

The Museo Reina Sofía has inaugurated Alhacena, a new welcome and rest area on the 4th floor of the Sabatini Building, designed by Jorge Penadés (Málaga, 1985). Selected through an open call by the museum and MANERA Magazine, the project introduces a domestic dimension to the museum's Collection itinerary 'Arte contemporáneo: 1975-presente'. The space is conceived as a Mediterranean kitchen—a place for conversation, learning, work, and rest. Penadés used reclaimed poplar plywood from Garnica, sourced from production surplus, to build a 29-meter-long cabinet system. The wood's texture was digitized and reinterpreted via CNC machining, creating an abstract landscape of veins and voids. The modular, repairable furniture includes custom textiles by Grupo Lamadrid, Vibe sofas by Sancal, Chillida Dibujo Tinta 1957 rugs by Nanimarquina (based on works by Eduardo Chillida), and lamps by Marset (Bicoca, Copérnica, Babila). The project was built by Carsan Ebanistería with hardware from Häfele. The jury praised its domesticity, modularity, material reuse, and sensitivity to the historic Sabatini Building, formerly the Hospital de San Carlos. Alhacena aims to make the museum a place to inhabit, not just contemplate art.