Well ahead of the United Nations’ 2012 Rio+20 Summit, the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, the Museum of Tomorrow or the Museu do Amanhã will start prompting Rio de Janeiro folks to appreciate a true marvel of sustainable architecture coming their way. Conceived by award-winning Valencian Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava for Pier Maua, Rio, a $2.8 billion waterfront redevelopment plan dubbed “Marvelous Port” will be home to a 134,549-square-foot building and surrounding 5.4 acres of gardens and pools. A series of photovoltaic panels will protrude from building’s steel roof for tagging along with the sun’s movement.
Dedicated pools will be there to capture rainwater and naturally filter water from the bay. The building will utilize seawater for cooling interior rooms and galleries. Moreover, you will see gardens and a plaza-level auditorium coming up in full glory before Earth Summit events. Aside from high-tech green technologies that are being applied through the construction, the Museum of Tomorrow will exhibit interactive, environment-based works of art designed by Manhattan-based Ralph Appelbaum Associates.
