Is it a spaceship? No it’s the Museum of Tomorrow, new symbol of the 2016 Olympic host city
Centre-piece of huge revitalisation project inspired by Rio 2016 Games, museum brings together science and art in search of answers to life’s big questions
The museum’s design was inspired by the nature of Rio de Janeiro ((Museu de Amanhã))
The future has arrived in Rio de Janeiro. On the cusp of a new year that will see the city host the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America, a stunning new attraction – the Museum of Tomorrow – has opened. Devoted to exploring the possibilities of a sustainable future through interactive artefacts that bring science, art, technology and culture together, the giant spaceship-like building is the centre-piece of a regeneration project that has been inspired by the Rio 2016 Games.
“This museum, like sport, is a tribute to humanity. Both are creations which give us dignity, that exalt human beings and their origins”
Santiago Calatrava, architect
20m high and 338m long, the Museum of Tomorrow is Rio's latest picture-postcard (Photo: Rio 2016/Daniel Ramalho)
Situated in the previously run-down Praça Mauá, the ‘experimental museum’ is part of a huge project to revitalise the neglected port region, an initiative that has seen a giant, ugly elevated highway demolished, underground traffic tunnels and a light-rail tram service constructed, a new art museum built and kilometres of new walking, cycling and leisure areas opened up alongside the city centre waterfront. It is widely considered that the Rio 2016 Games acted as a catalyst to attract investment and get the project off the drawing boards.
The building itself, inspired by the bromeliads in Rio’s Botanical Gardens, was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who has created iconic buildings across the world, including the Athens 2004 Olympic Stadium. “I want to come back to Rio as many times as possible,” he said. “I always leave inspired, it is perhaps the most beautiful city in the world.”
The museum seeks to analyse the past and present, in turn exploring possible scenarios for the future, with content that is presented in sensorial, interactive forms. Its main area is divided into five sectors, each one tackling one of the five questions that guide the museum: Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we? Where are we going? How do we want to get there?
Visit the museum website or take a virtual tour (in Portuguese)
The 3-D words 'Olympic City' adorn the rejuvenated Praça Mauá (Photo: Rio 2016/Daniel Ramalho)
After being officially inaugurated by President Dilma Rousseff, Rio governor Luiz Fernando Pezão and mayor Eduardo Paes on Thursday (17 December) night, it will open to the public at 10am on Saturday (19 December) for a free 36-hour cultural marathon featuring live music, theatre, art, workshops and kids’ activites.
One proud guest at Thursday’s inauguration was construction worker Evandro Pereira, who helped build the museum. “It’s very pleasing to see the museum ready,” said the 35-year-old. “We worked so hard on this and it’s a great honour to see it looking so beautiful now.”
