The Museum of Modern Art has confirmed that the Portuguese architect, curator, and writer Pedro Gadanho will join  MoMA’s Department of Architecture and Design as a curator of contemporary architecture.

According to MoMA’s release: “In his new role, Mr. Gadanho will be responsible for a broad portfolio that reinforces the Museum’s commitment, since 1932, to contemporary architecture. In addition to building the Museum’s holdings of contemporary architecture, he will oversee the annual Young Architects Program (YAP), co-organized with MoMA PS1, and the two-year-old YAP International Program in conjunction with the MAXXI in Rome and Constructo in Santiago, Chile; organize further exhibitions in the Museum’s “Issues in Contemporary Architecture” series; and develop larger scale exhibitions of contemporary architecture, including exhibitions that explore relationships between architecture and other contemporary art practices.”

Gadanho holds a masters in Architecture from the University of Porto, a masters in Art and Architecture from the U.K.’s Kent Institute of Design, and a Ph.D. in Architecture and Mass Media from the University of Porto, where he has also served on the faculty of Architecture (FAUP).  He has curated numerous architecture exhibitions in Europe, including Portugal’s entry for the 2004 Venice Biennale.

“Pedro is a talented and innovative curator and a tireless advocate for contemporary practice,” said Barry Bergdoll, MoMA’s chief curator of architecture and design. “As a key liaison between the Museum and academics, practitioners, and partner organizations, he will solidify our role as an international showcase for the most innovative contemporary architects, and will help us develop positions of relevance in contemporary architecture in exhibitions and programs.”

Gadanho will officially take up the MoMA post January 11.