ASIA HOUSE. FRANCISCO CAPELO COLLECTION

Asia House forms part of the cultural complex managed by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Lisbon, which includes the Museu de São Roque and other spaces on Largo Trindade Coelho. This project reinforces the institution's commitment to the conservation, enhancement and promotion of historical heritage, enriching the Lisbon cultural scene.

The collection at Asia House, amassed by Francisco Capelo, includes more than 1,300 objects carefully selected from fourteen Asian countries, dating from the third century BCE to the beginning of the twentieth century. These pieces represent a valuable testimony to European appreciation of Asian history and art.

The exhibition design, undertaken by Filipe Alarcão, adopts a minimalist line that contrasts with the light-coloured walls in the restored palace. Ypunto was responsible for the technical development of the display cases and exhibit mounts, designing custom solutions following a detailed study of each piece. With their precise geometry, these cases integrate preventive conservation criteria and allow for the rotation of exhibits and the flexible layout of objects such as the delicate textiles and works on paper, combining functionality and aesthetics.

Asia House is not only distinguished by its extraordinary collection, but also by its capacity to integrate the historical architecture of the Palace of São Roque with a contemporary exhibition design. The space offers a unique immersive experience, consolidating its status as a benchmark for the preservation and exhibition of Asian art in Europe while reaffirming Lisbon as a city committed to the promotion of its cultural heritage.