Tech

This spaceship-like museum will become a hub during the Rio Olympics — take a look inside

Leanna Garfield

2016-08-03T18:00:00Z

As hundreds of thousands of people flock to Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympics, it will be hard to ignore the Museum of Tomorrow.

Designed by legendary architect Santiago Calatrava, the $54 million science museum looks like an homage to the "Star Wars'" Death Star. During the Games, it will host parties, music shows, and street art.

Inside, the Museum of Tomorrow doesn't look like most museums. Instead of exhibiting art or artifacts from the past, it looks toward Rio's future and features more video exhibits than objects.

Keep scrolling to take a virtual tour of the museum, which opened in late 2015 and costs just $2.60 to enter.

The Museum of Tomorrow overlooks the Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Calatrava — who is known for his galactic (and expensive) designs — also created New York City's new World Trade Center transportation hub.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Dec 21, 2015 at 9:36am PST

The museum's facade is certainly extravagant.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Jun 21, 2016 at 10:41am PDT

In the front, there's a massive, shallow pool.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Apr 20, 2016 at 11:44am PDT

The building is super energy-efficient, featuring a winged roof with solar panels that help power the museum. According to its designers, the structure uses 40% less energy than conventional buildings of the same size. A cooling system in the back also recycles water from the bay to cool the building.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Apr 14, 2016 at 12:30pm PDT

Source: The Guardian

The skeletal-like design continues inside. When visitors walk in, they're greeted by a giant, overhanging globe.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Jun 3, 2016 at 12:00pm PDT

Most of the museum's exhibits use sound and video to ask big questions about the origins, present state, and future of humanity.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Jul 7, 2016 at 1:53pm PDT

One interactive exhibit looks at the inner workings of beehives.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Jun 10, 2016 at 6:01am PDT

Another highlights the work of Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. He was the first combine a hot air balloon with an aircraft engine.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Jun 9, 2016 at 7:05am PDT

During the time the Olympic Games are happening, the dock surrounding the museum will host parties and shows.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)Jul 2, 2016 at 1:24pm PDT

The spaceship-like landmark will become a hub of activity during the Games.

A photo posted by Museu do Amanhã (@museudoamanha)May 18, 2016 at 8:56am PDT