The Santiago Calatrava–designed Museum of Tomorrow has opened in Rio de Janeiro. The Spanish architect, engineer, and artist designed the waterfront science museum using organic shapes inspired by the bromeliads in the city’s botanical garden. “The idea is for the building to be as ethereal as possible, almost floating above the sea like a boat, bird, or plant,” Calatrava said in a release. He recorded his creative process in more than 600 watercolors.
“As the world becomes more and more urban, one of mankind’s greatest challenges is how we occupy cities,” Eduardo Paes, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, said in a release. “The Museum of Tomorrow is a symbol of the redevelopment of the important Port of Rio and, since its construction, has inspired reflection on our hopes for the city to be more integrated and more generous with public spaces.”