Calatrava’s talent has produced sculpturesque bridges and transportation hubs worldwide, and now, his sustainably-focused museum for Rio de Janeiro will also gain international attention. The architect/engineer has just unveiled his design which will be part of a larger urban design project to transform Rio’s waterfront into a thriving cultural and residential community.
More images and more about the museum after the break.
Upon wining the bid for the 2016 Olympic Games, which we featured previously on AD, Rio’s proposal included ideas for a museum to be a defining factor in their urban revitalization strategy.
Inspired by the natural landscape of the country, the two story museum features a cantilevered roof and facade with moving elements. The museum retains Calatrava’s sleek signature aesthetic as it seems to be moving outward, pushing out into the bay. The design incorporates a continuous strip of landscape along the southern lenght of the pier adding to the effect of the museum floating on top of the natural setting.
“Santiago Calatrava’s design unites the boldness of his other well-known works with the beauty of Guanabara Bay and the history surrounding the Pier Maua, as well as the whole region of Porto,” said Eduardo Pes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro. “The Museum of Tomorrow perfectly matches the genius of this amazing Spanish architect and the soul that is present in Rio’s harbor area. I’m sure that the museum will serve as a milestone in the revitalization of that area and the whole city.”
All images courtesy of Santiago Calatrava, LLC.
It seems like the museum of yesterday.
calatrava is a brand, just like any other starchitect. they got what they wanted.
I like Calatrava’s architecture but in the majority cases when I see one of the his projects I can´t like If I just know the cover. Architecture isn’t just a sculpture. Maybe does not work.
I think we do not need to be serious and philosophical when it comes to Architecture. Can Architecture be defined as just one thing? What is your architectural approach in designing?
It should be expressed and tried in various ways. Please embrace and respect the diversity.
Calatrava’s designs has started to bother me, because to me architecture is always innovation, not just sculptures nor repeated birds’ wings, just because it comes from a well known architect name.
You critics have to be kidding, right?!
Archdaily shows you three wide-shot perspectives and you are immediately able to leap to the conclusion that it’s a lousy scheme.
Get real.
Michael,
I think the comments more imply that it looks like every other Calatrava building.
Which it does.
Video presentation of the project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU2A9Fq3XQs
Q: what’s cooler than a clatrava building with bird wings?
A: a calatrava building with a bunch of bird wings in a row!
Well said, Leo!
Calatrava's spine-like Museum of Tomorrow in Rio. http://bit.ly/apgeiz #architecture
i have no idea what this building looks like? three images taken from as far away as possible, and a youtube video showing the exact same thing.
It’s alright although I would generally expect more from him, why doesn’t he push the structures further to create something we have not seen yet without sacrificing his style. He could do so much more since he has a name, seriously.
he could build one building in every town and then we could say that it bothers us.
(There’s at least one reason to visit the museum while in Rio!)
external perspective=sculpture or design, not architecture
Calatrava makes building, buildings that people/ clients want. The people that come to him know what they are getting.
He has established his type of architecture, most architects can’t even say they have a style of their own.
When your in one of his buildings, you can’t help but be overwhelmed. It’s the experience that he brings that you can’t get from a picture.
Cite: Cilento , Karen . “The Museum of Tomorrow / Santiago Calatrava” 24 Jun 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 02 Jan 2011.