MUSEU DO AMANHÃ

The Museu do Amanhã, or "Museum of Tomorrow" in terms of its architecture and permanent collection, is indeed quite futuristic, blending art and science, and questioning humanity on the issues of the planet's environmental degradation, from a scientific, social and ecological point of view.

Together with the MAR, another museum inaugurated in 2014, it gives new impetus to this port area close to the center, rehabilitated as a place of incredible cultural life. The R$ 230 million project was inaugurated by Dilma Rousseff in December 2015. Located on a jetty facing the ocean in Guanabara Bay on the Praça Mauá transformed into Porto Maravilha, the recent building is a must-see. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this 15,000^m2 white building is reminiscent of the bromeliads (flowers) of Rio's Mata Atlântica forest. It also resembles an elegant dinosaur skeleton. It has been designed with renewable energy systems in mind: solar spines located on the roof around a glass roof orient themselves according to climatic conditions to capture solar energy, while seawater is used to air-condition the building and reused for the water mirrors that surround it. The museum also aims to be a hub for research and scientific reflection on environmental issues.

The visit. The exhibition reviews the dangers of environmental degradation, which is causing unprecedented humanitarian and social catastrophes. However, we are disappointed by the demagogic side of the museum: to explain that the planet is in peril, the discourse is accompanied by American-style disaster films. The introductory geode is a good attraction, as is the photo room on cultures and humanity. The rest is an instructive scientific summary for those who skipped their SVT classes, thanks to interactive screens that will delight the youngest visitors with their playful, futuristic aspect. Visitors already engrossed in their smartphone and computer screens are nevertheless asked to immerse themselves in other plasma screens to talk about the environment and nature... For many, the museum's main interest lies in the architecture of the Spanish starchitect.

Tip: Themuseum is often a victim of its own success. On certain days, it can be very busy... On Tuesdays, admission is free, but the queue is even longer. To avoid waiting hours at the ticket office, we recommend buying tickets online.