The Museum of Sciences of Paraguay (Museo de Ciencias, MuCi) marked the beginning of its new venue’s construction with a ground-breaking ceremony. The event took place this week at Asunción’s North Riverside (Costanera Norte). Participating were the museum’s staff, members of the design and construction team, local authorities and education representatives, alongside children, who also had the chance to pick up the shovel.
The museum is already known in Asunción as the first interactive science museum, promoting learning through experience. Combining science, art and technology, the museum aims to bring together all kinds of people. And for them to share, develop their critical thinking and freely explore and discover the known and unknown, guided by curiosity.
The new Museum of Sciences
Asunción’s new museum will be the first of its complexity and scale in the country. The building represents MuCi’s mission throughout its design, that was presented last year.
“This building is not about being flashy, it does not scream look at me.” states Luis Ayala, MuCi’s lead architect. “It is about the experience, about discovering it little by little.”
The building will contain multiple programs, such as exhibition rooms related to science and art mixed with science, an observatory, auditorium and an amphitheater dispersed in different building blocks. The design also includes 4-hectare park, with multiple gardens, green roofs and a water park that are in constant dialogue with the museum.
“We enter the museum to go outside, then to go inside, and then to go outside again”, Ayala continues. “Those who are not Paraguayan might find it strange, but we love in-between spaces.”
However, the top attraction of the new Museum of Science will be the planetarium. The 18 meters high spherical structure will have a seating capacity of 150. It will also feature a curved digital LED screen of extremely high resolution. It promises to become the most advance one in South America, allowing people not only to enjoy of a trip through the universe but also to watch any kind of audiovisual material. From a football match to a live concert.
Placement in historic area
The new MuCi will stand in the Ricardo Brugada area, Asunción’s oldest district and the birthplace of the Guarania, Paraguay’s original music genre. On one side, the museum faces the Paraguayan River, while on the other, it overlooks the Bernardino Caballero Park, the first municipal park in Asunción.
According to Museum of Sciences team, the project is expected to be concluded in the summer of 2028. In the meantime, people can visit of the museum in its current location in the Textilia complex at General Santos Avenue, from Tuesday to Sunday.
