KAAN architecten's rio de janeiro eco-museum promotes biodiversity and de-pollution

Rio de Janeiro Welcomes Eco-Museum & Orla Piratininga Park

The Eco-Museum and Orla Piratininga Park, designed by KAAN Architecten, have been unveiled in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking a significant contribution to the region’s environmental revitalization efforts. Part of the Municipality of Niterói’s Sustainable Ocean Region Program, the project is the largest phytoremediation initiative in Latin America, transforming the 720,000 square-meter Piratininga Lagoon. The redevelopment focuses on water quality management and pollution treatment within an ecological park, blending natural landscapes with community spaces and an eco-museum.

images © Sebastian van Damme

kaan architecten’s Park Promotes Biodiversity and de-pollution

The Eco-Museum and Orla Piratininga Park in Rio de Janeiro are central to a biodiversity-driven redevelopment effort by the POP consortium, which includes Phytorestore, Embyá, and KAAN Architecten. This project fosters long-term conservation of the Piratininga Lagoon by involving local residents, fishing communities, and environmental organizations. The park features hiking trails, bike paths, sports facilities, and wildlife observatories that immerse visitors in the region’s rich biodiversity. Filtering gardens, covering 35,290 square-meters, play a crucial role by intercepting upstream pollution and supporting the natural water cycle.

The Eco-Museum and Orla Piratininga Park prioritize authentic ecological restoration by using only native plant species from the State of Rio de Janeiro. The park’s filtering gardens purify water through innovative wetlands, providing a habitat for vibrant wildlife. Visitors can explore this often-inaccessible environment via dedicated paths that respect the sensitive ecosystem. The gardens revive the lagoon’s environmental functions and create a landscaped space that educates the public on the importance of biodiversity.

KAAN Architecten completes the Eco-Museum and Orla Piratininga Park in Rio de Janeiro

A Community-Centered Design Eco-Museum

At the heart of Rio de Janeiro’s Orla Piratininga Park is the Eco-Museum, designed by KAAN Architecten. The museum, an initiative by the Municipality of Niterói, is a fully accessible space embedded within its natural surroundings. Constructed primarily from cumaru wood, known for its durability and weather resistance, the 2,800 square-metere structure includes a restaurant, multifunctional spaces, kayak storage, and exhibition areas. The mezzanine hosts interactive exhibits and a lagoon observatory, all arranged around an open atrium designed for communal gatherings.

The Eco-Museum features a distinctive roof structure, with broad cantilevered overhangs that regulate natural light and create a welcoming atmosphere. This design element reinforces the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, blending the building into the surrounding Atlantic Forest. The museum plays a key role in promoting environmental education and community engagement, making it a vital hub for understanding the region’s restored ecosystems.

the Piratininga Lagoon is revived through water quality management and pollution treatment

the project features hiking trails, bike paths, and wildlife observatories

filtering gardens use native plants to purify water and restore natural water cycles

the museum’s design integrates indoor and outdoor spaces with a cantilevered roof structure

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project info:

name: Eco-Museum and Orla Piratininga Park

architecture: KAAN Architecten | @kaanarchitecten

location: Piratininga Lagoon, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

completion: 2024

photography: © Sebastian van Damme | @svd_fotografie

consortium POP: KAAN Architecten, Phyorestore, Embyá | @embya

local architect: UrbSP | @urbsp

project team: Juliana Generoso, Renata Gilio, Carlos Jacquet, Kees Kaan, Ricardo Marmorato, Laís Oliveira Xavier, Vincent Panhuysen, Marco Peixe D’Elia, Dikkie Scipio, Frane Stancic, Yang Zhang

architecture, conceptual urban planning: KAAN Architecten, Phyorestore SAS

main contractor: Construtora Zadar LTDA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

client: Municipality of Niterói, RJ, Brazil (Corporação Andina de Fomento – CAF)

eco solutions/filtering gardens: Phyorestore SAS
sports facilities: Licuri
urban planning, landscaping-execution: Ecomimesis
urban planning, landscaping-execution: Embyá Paisagismo LTDA
supervision, implementation: Architectural department of the Municipality of Niterói