The Centre Pompidou will open its first Latin American outpost in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, showcasing modern and contemporary art. Opening November 2027, this project, led by Paraguayan architect Solano Benítez, highlights growing regional expertise in global architecture.
Centre Pompidou x Paraná will be strategically located at the Triple Frontier, where Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina converge. This area, known for its rich cultural tapestry and the majestic Iguaçu Falls, was deliberately chosen to foster active cultural integration, bridging diverse nationalities and traditions.
The Centre Pompidou is a renowned cultural institution in Paris, France, famous for its distinctive high-tech architectural design. It houses a major modern art museum, a public library, and spaces for performing arts, attracting millions of visitors annually.
The new Centre Pompidou in Latin America
The Latin American outpost will span 10,000 square metres of covered space, constructed primarily with brick, a material deeply embedded in Paraguayan and regional building traditions. This choice reflects Benítez’ attempt to create a structure that feels both global in its ambition and profoundly local in its essence.
Mirroring the concept of its Parisian counterpart, the Centre Pompidou x Paraná will be situated alongside a spacious public square, serving as a vibrant multidisciplinary venue. Its offerings will include exhibitions showcasing selections from the Centre Pompidou’s extensive modern and contemporary art collection.
Live performances will feature film series, festivals, and a variety of shows. Educational activities will offer workshops, lectures, and artist residencies. Research spaces will provide a dedicated research library and artistic laboratories. Amenities will include a restaurant and a shop for visitors.
Crucially, the centre will not only display global art but also serve as a vital platform for championing contemporary South American artistic creation.
“Far more than an exhibition space”
Solano Benítez, born in Asunción in 1963 and a recipient of the Golden Lion at the 2016 Venice Biennale, will oversee the architectural design. His reputation for innovative use of brick and raw materials led to his selection, ensuring a building that is both pioneering and environmentally responsible.
Benítez characterises his architectural philosophy as an “extraordinary doing,” striving to push conventional boundaries and meet international standards without compromising local identity.
For the architect, the museum is far more than an exhibition space. He envisions it as a potent political and educational instrument, rooted in the conviction that culture is essential for societal advancement. Benítez sees institutions like museums and libraries as places where learning can happen time and again, free from judgement or pressure.
This highlights the critical need for cultural infrastructure to facilitate profound learning in a complex world. The centre’s overarching goal is to be a platform for contemporary South American creativity, honouring the region’s unique dynamics while upholding the Centre Pompidou’s international spirit.
Beyond drawing tourists, the new centre aims to drive meaningful social change through art, culture, and education.
Pompidou’s global outreach
The new Foz do Iguaçu site is a key component of the France-Brazil 2025 cultural season. It is also part of the Centre Pompidou’s wider international expansion strategy. This includes existing satellite centres in Málaga, Shanghai, Brussels, and AlUla, with Seoul soon to follow.
This global outreach aims to leverage the Centre Pompidou’s vast expertise, circulating its renowned collection and interdisciplinary programmes to foster cultural dialogue worldwide.
The original Centre Pompidou in Paris, envisioned by President Georges Pompidou, was a groundbreaking initiative to revitalise the Les Halles district. Its iconic, industrial-style architecture symbolises transparency and innovation.
It transformed the building itself into a cultural landmark and a public space. The arrival of the Centre Pompidou at the Triple Frontier, spearheaded by an architect of Solano Benítez’s calibre, represents a significant cultural and architectural triumph for the entire region.
Recently also Paraguayan architect Luis Ayala made his mark, with the ground-breaking ceremony for Paraguay’s Museum of Science.
