Santiago Calatrava’s design for the $200-million-plus Museum of Tomorrow project in Rio de Janeiro, which included the Spanish architect’s trademark non-linear concrete structure and complex exterior assemblies, drove intense discussions among engineers, architects and builders as the project first moved forward in 2010. Despite the design hurdles, the construction consortium of Porto Rio—formed by Odebrecht Infrastructure, OAS and Carioca Engenharia—was able to complete the $59-million museum contract in time for its recent December 17 opening. As part of its confidentialty agreement with Rio de Janeiro, Porto Rio officials would not comment for this story.
Built in advance of Brazil’s 2016 Olympic Games, the Museum of Tomorrow was constructed over a 300-meter-long pier structure at a Rio de Janeiro port near Guanabara Bay. Totaling 15,300 sq meters overall, the museum measures 340 meters in length, including the 205-meter-long main building section. With a peak height of 17 meters, the museum’s canopy-like roof structure extends 70 meters from the building to the south, and 65 meters northward, toward the bay.