Renzo Piano-designed MUSE science museum opens in Trent, Italy

Italy’s eagerly-awaited science museum, the eco-friendly Museo delle Scienze (MUSE), has opened in Trent, Italy, providing the public with an education about science, nature and the environment.

MUSE offers a progressive range of displays, with visitors beginning at the top of the building in the mountains and working their way down to a rainforest at the bottom, as they gain an understanding in how habitats change with altitude.

Some of the issues explored at the museum include the birth of the solar system, the prehistoric ages, Alpine ecosystems, sustainability, global warming and the future. MUSE also provides sensory interaction for visitors with rainforest sounds and a walk through a tropical greenhouse, as well as exhibits to allow the public to experience skiing and paragliding extremes.

The Muse delle Scienze aims to to stimulate innovation and has established a digital fabrication laboratory, FabLab MUSE, to encourage science and technology enthusiasts to become involved with the museum, while also providing educational facilities to the public.

Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the building employs rainwater cisterns, solar panels and eco-friendly materials. It also has a geothermal heating system in a bid to be sustainable.

MUSE is expected to develop into an important research centre and will host the Ecsite Annual Conference in spring 2015.