Museum of Tomorrow, Rio de Janeiro (must see)

The Museum of Tomorrow, situated in Rio de Janeiro, is a science museum known for its unique architecture, designed by the Spanish neofuturistic architect Santiago Calatrava. The museum officially opened its doors on December 17, 2015, with President Dilma Rousseff in attendance.

The Museum of Tomorrow is located on Mauá Pier, within a spacious green area spanning approximately 30,000 square meters. The surroundings feature gardens, water features, a bike path, and leisure spaces. The museum building itself covers an area of 15,000 square meters and incorporates sustainable design principles inspired by nature. Santiago Calatrava's architectural vision integrates local natural resources, such as water from Guanabara Bay, which is used for the museum's interior air conditioning and then recycled in water features. Calatrava drew inspiration from the bromeliads at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden when conceiving the museum's design.

The Museum of Tomorrow's architectural concept harmoniously blends with the landscape of the port area and Guanabara Bay. Notably, the building's roof boasts large steel structures that move like wings and serve as a foundation for solar energy collection panels. This sustainable approach aligns with the museum's pursuit of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the Green Building Council.

Inside, the museum's main exhibition invites visitors to explore five key thematic areas: Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrow, and Us. This journey is facilitated through various experiments and interactive experiences. The museum ingeniously combines science with innovative design to emphasize the importance of sustainable urban development and an ecologically-conscious world.