The centre, built in 1983 by architect Leslie Martin, has an interesting spacious design incorporating plants, thus creating the impression of a screen of greenery. It houses modern works of art by Portuguese artists from 1910 to the present day, including Vieira da Silva, Amadeo de Souza Cardoso, Almada Negreiros and Júlio Pomar. Several sculptures, notably Henry Moore's Reclining Woman, are exhibited in the gardens surrounding the centre.