Museum of Tomorrow
Rio de Janeiro
The Museum of Tomorrow, located in Rio de Janeiro's revitalized port area, is a cutting-edge science museum designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Opened in December 2015, the museum serves as a symbol of the city's cultural and urban renewal, particularly linked to the 2016 Summer Olympics. Its neofuturistic building incorporates sustainable architecture inspired by nature, including solar panels that move to capture energy and water reuse systems. The main exhibition takes visitors on an immersive journey through five thematic areas: Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrow, and Us, blending science with interactive digital experiences. The museum emphasizes ecological awareness and sustainable development, partnering with global scientific institutions to provide real-time environmental data. It also features the "Puffed Star II" sculpture by Frank Stella, adding artistic significance to its scientific mission. The Museum of Tomorrow aims to inspire visitors to reflect on humanity’s role in shaping the future through a multisensory and educational experience.
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Tip: Visit the museum from Thursday to Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the last entry at 5 p.m. Buying tickets online in advance is recommended to avoid queues. The museum offers discounts for students and seniors. The best time to visit is during weekday mornings to enjoy a quieter experience. Check the official website for current exhibitions and special events.
Interesting facts
- •The museum’s design was inspired by bromeliads found in Rio de Janeiro’s Botanical Garden.
- •It features solar panels that move to track the sun, optimizing energy capture.
- •The building uses water from Guanabara Bay for interior climate control and water features.
- •The sculpture "Puffed Star II" by Frank Stella, a 20-foot-wide metallic star, is displayed in the museum's reflecting pool.
- •The museum collects real-time environmental and population data from space agencies and the United Nations to inform its exhibitions.
History
The Museum of Tomorrow was inaugurated on December 17, 2015, as part of Rio de Janeiro's Porto Maravilha urban revitalization project.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the museum replaced an old pier with a sustainable, futuristic building inspired by local nature and the Botanical Garden's bromeliads.
It was funded with support from the Roberto Marinho Foundation and cost approximately 230 million reais.
The museum quickly became an iconic cultural landmark, aiming to strengthen Rio's international identity beyond traditional attractions.
Its opening coincided with preparations for the 2016 Summer Olympics, marking a milestone in the city's transformation.
Place Guide
Main Exhibition: Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrow, and Us2015
An immersive multimedia narrative divided into five thematic areas exploring humanity's origins, current challenges, and future possibilities through interactive exhibits and experiments.
Puffed Star II Sculpture2015
A large, twenty-pointed metallic star sculpture by American artist Frank Stella, installed in the museum's reflecting pool facing Guanabara Bay.
