Modern Museum of Natural Sciences (MUSE) in Italy completed in 2012

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Modern Museum of Natural Sciences (MUSE) in Italy completed in 2012

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Designed by Renzo Piano, the new Museum of Natural Sciences (MUSE) built on the brownfield site of a former Michelin tire manufacturing plant. MUSE will become an integral part of the central city and host a range of exhibitions devoted entirely to the natural sciences and ecosystems surrounding Trento. This museum building is expected to open in early 2012 in Trento, Italy.

Stand on 11 hectare brownfield industrial area adjacent to the Adige river and what used to be a Michelin tire factory. The factory was on the edge of the city center and effectively cut residents off from the river, and once the factory closed, the site became completely neglected. The new museum is part of a much larger redevelopment project that includes housing, leisure, commerce and office space and reconnects the area to the city center.

Energy efficiency was one of the top priorities for the design of the museum, and Renzo Piano and his team implemented a number of sustainable design strategies to minimize energy use. Photovoltaic panels on the roof produce some electricity for the building and a geothermal system provides energy efficient heating and cooling. Rainwater collected from the roof reduces the building’s water usage by 50% and is used to irrigate the indoor garden. Finally, space is provided for bike parking along with showers and changing rooms for employees, and car parking spaces are limited to encourage the use of public transportation.