Museum of the Amazon: A Transformative Cultural Landmark by Guá Arquitetura + be.bo. arquitetos

The Museum of the Amazon (MAZ) in Belém, Brazil, stands as a groundbreaking cultural landmark dedicated to celebrating the ecological, social, and technological richness of the Amazon region. Designed by Guá Arquitetura and be.bo. arquitetos, the museum reimagines a 3,300 m² industrial warehouse into an immersive cultural destination at the heart of the Porto Futuro II revitalization project—part of the legacy of COP 30 in Pará.

Opening its doors to the public in October 2025, the museum serves as a vibrant convergence point between architecture, science, culture, and indigenous knowledge, offering visitors an experience rooted in the diverse identities and landscapes of the Amazon.

A Museum Shaped by Many Amazons

The MAZ curatorship—led by Francy Baniwa, Joice Ferreira, and Helena Lima—highlights the multiplicity of Amazons across nine Brazilian states and eight neighboring countries. Through immersive, sensorial environments, the museum interprets the realities and worldviews of:

• Indigenous communities
• Quilombola groups
• Riverside and extractive populations
• Urban Amazonian residents

The result is a dynamic cultural tapestry that deepens public understanding of the region’s invaluable heritage.

Architectural Transformation: From Warehouse to Cultural Beacon

The architects completely transformed the existing structure into a flowing, two-level museum route:

Ground Floor (2,000 m²)

• Main exhibition hall
• Foyer with earth-toned, geotinted walls
• Museum shop featuring Amazonian craftsmanship

Mezzanine Level (1,100 m²)

• Temporary exhibition gallery
• Multipurpose room
• Creative space for workshops, cultural labs, and community events

Central to the architectural concept is the serpent, an archetypal symbol across Amazonian cosmologies. Inspired by mythical figures like the Boiúna and the Canoe Snake, the serpent motif shapes:

• Entrance benches crafted from 15 species of sustainably managed Amazonian wood
• A façade mural designed by 16 Pan-Amazonian artists
• Curved interior pathways symbolizing movement and transformation

The museum’s logo, crafted in marquetry by Acrean artisan Maqueson Pereira da Silva, extends this identity through fine, hand-carved detail.

Rich Materiality Rooted in the Amazon

Every surface and material in the museum carries meaning.

• Walls are coated in geotint, a clay-based pigment researched in partnership with Mãos Caruanas and inspired by Marajoara traditions.
• Flooring textures echo the natural landscape.
• Wood from diverse regional species forms benches, furniture, and xylotheque-like installations.

In the foyer, a striking LED globe installation by artist Roberta Carvalho, titled Simbiosfera, floats between the two floors—symbolizing the Amazon’s global ecological importance.

Craftsmanship and Amazonian Knowledge

Local artisans and creators play an essential role in shaping the museum’s cultural soul:

• Carpenter Edson Rodrigues crafted the custom shop shelving on Ilha do Murutucu.
• Artisan Ivan Leal created a sculptural lamp made from roots collected on the shore, supporting 150 hand-carved miriti birds.

This emphasis on local skill and storytelling reinforces the museum’s mission to empower Amazonian communities.

Permanent Exhibition (Opening 2026)

The upcoming permanent exhibition will guide visitors through a chronological narrative of the Amazon, exploring:

• Geological origins
• Biocultural diversity
• Ancestral technologies
• Forest abundance
• Contemporary ecological challenges
• Future sustainability visions

Key Highlights

• Immersive spiral gallery wrapped in a bulrush curtain
• A cloud of 5,000 miriti animals suspended from above
• Espaço Aturá, a giant indigenous Baniwa basket that teaches cosmic cycles tied to agriculture

The exhibition ends in a “solutions for good living” zone, inspiring visitors to imagine sustainable futures through innovation, cultural resilience, and ecological stewardship.

A Museum Built on Collective Effort

The MAZ is guided by the Amazonian principle of “ajurí”—collective work for the common good. The project brings together architects, indigenous leaders, researchers, designers, artisans, and the wider community in a shared mission.

As architect Bel Lobo states: “We hope visitors leave with new values and a desire to care—change begins within.”

Conclusion: A New Cultural Era for the Amazon

The Museum of the Amazon goes far beyond a traditional exhibition space. It stands as:

• A celebration of Amazonian diversity
• A bridge between ancestral knowledge and contemporary design
• A symbol of sustainability, identity, and cultural pride
• A model of community-centered architecture

Through immersive design, responsible material use, and deep cultural integration, the MAZ redefines what a museum can be—an experience that educates, inspires, and empowers.

All the photographs are works of Manuel Sá