Wikipedia

Museum of Tomorrow

Location: Rio de Janeiro,Brazil
Design firm: Santiago Calatrava Architects & Engineers
Typology: Cultural
Years: 2010–2015
Status: Complete

Facade facts

Facade summary: A dynamic, neofuturistic facade characterized by a massive white cantilevered roof and kinetic,solar-tracking wing elements.
Documented intention: Calatrava intended the building to appear light,ethereal, and integrated with the bay's natural environment. The kinetic facade is intended as a literal and symbolic representation of energy conservation and the future of sustainable architecture.
Street relationship: The building's cantilever stretches over the public plaza, creating a shaded public pathway and engaging with the waterfront promenade.
Climate relationship: The facade acts as an active climatic filter. The moving panels track the sun to optimize electricity generation, while the massive roof cantilever provides shade to the public plaza below, reducing solar heat gain on the glass envelope.
Window pattern: Geometric ribbon openings along the side elevations, monumental custom curtain wall grids at the ends.
Glazing: Double-glazed high-performance glass
Depth: Deep double-cantilever extending up to 75 meters on the north side and 45 meters on the south side.
Rhythm: Repetitive, organic longitudinal repetition of steel ribs and kinetic solar sails.
White Concrete: White Concrete — Main envelope bodies and longitudinal arches — Smooth,precast
Steel: Steel — Overhanging cantilever and kinetic solar wing supports — Painted
High-performance Glazing: High-performance Glazing — Glazed terminal ends and side ribbon windows — Reflective /Transparent
Photovoltaic Panels: Photovoltaic Panels — Upper kinetic wing elements — Glossy
Kinetic Solar Shading System: Kinetic steel structure supporting solar panels that dynamically rotate on automated mechanical joints.
Curtain Wall System: Custom steel-supported glass curtain walls at the north and south structural bays.

Description

The facade of the Museum of Tomorrow is dominated by a giant, 340-meter-long cantilevered roof structure that tapers toward the bay. The side facades are clad in white concrete panels. Atop the roof, a series of 5,492 photovoltaic panels are mounted on 24 moving wing-like steel frames. These wings rotate dynamically along a longitudinal axis to track the sun and optimize power generation. The northern and southern tips of the building feature large, dramatic glazed curtain walls offering panoramic views of Guanabara Bay.

Visual analysis

Visually reminiscent of a prehistoric skeleton, a spaceship, or a flower, the facade conveys a sense of forward-looking optimism while resting lightly on the historic pier.