2024-09-03
6 分钟Liv Kessler explores the story behind a marvel of neofuturistic architecture stretching out across the water in Rio de Janeiro. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Seemingly growing from the ground and stretching out across the water in Rio de Janeiro's port exists a marvel of neo futuristic architecture.
While the inside is dedicated to climate change, the project itself aimed to strengthen the Brazilian city's standing as a cultural destination and revitalize the surrounding area.
You're listening to Tall Stories, a monocle production brought to you by the team behind the Urbanist.
I'm Andrew Tuck.
In this episode, Liv Kessler takes us to Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Tomorrow.
Rio de Janeiro is no stranger to jaw dropping scenery.
From the Christ of Corcovado to the Sugarloaf mountain and its cable cars which dot the picture perfect sky, there is no shortage of beauty in Brazil's former capital.
Yet if one were to look beyond the infamous white sand beaches of the Copacabana Esplanade, they would find a similarly breathtaking scene in Pier Maua of the historic port zone.
It is here that the Museo de Armagna Museum of Tomorrow, Rio's contemporary science museum, has found its place.
Jutting out into the water of the Guanambara Bay, the long white structure is reminiscent of a space age whale skeleton.
On weekends it's hard to get through the crowds of bicycles stopped in their tracks to admire the two story building reflected in the shallow pools.
The fluid metal structure casts a fine line shadow on the pier new futuristic.
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who is responsible for the building's design, has said that the idea was for the building to be as ethereal as possible, almost floating above the sea like a boat, bird or plant.
To anyone who had visited the city prior to the Rio Olympics in 2016, mere mention of the port zone would send a shudder down their spine.
Though the historic port had been in use since the mid 18th century, starting as a landing point for slaves and then later an exporter of Brazil's coffee trade, the 20th century had seen a significant shift in the port's purpose.
The area was known for a highway overpass, the Olavado de Parimetral, which ran through it.
This highway was completed in 1978, connecting the south and the city center.
Though a symbol of efficiency and progress for the time in which it emerged, it further signified the decay of the port zone as an increasingly transitory space devoid of economic activity.
As sea trade was moved further from the city center, the port fell into steady decline.
The Museo de Aman was a part of Porto Marvaia, the wondrous Port urban restoration project.