Rafael Viñoly’s Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof That Syncs Up with the Sun

The city of Buenos Aires has a very cool museum that hosts a number of incredible artworks by modern greats such as Turner, Dalí, Soldi and Warhol, but not many people know about its existence. Located along the historic harbor of Puerto Madero, the Museo Fortabat was designed as a space for showcasing the vast art collection of the late multi-millionairess Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat. Though the artwork is certainly reason enough to visit to the museum, the structure's brilliant design by architect <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://www.rvapc.com/" target="_blank">Rafael Viñoly</a> is also something worth fawning over. Atop its five floors of ultra-modern space, this spectacular museum has an incredible retractable aluminum roof that opens up to match the movement of the sun.

Located in an up-and-coming area of <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://inhabitat.com/buenos-aires-spectacular-planetario-galileo-galilei-sparkles-with-thousands-of-leds/" target="_blank">Buenos Aires</a> called Puerto Madero, the Museo Fortabat opened its doors in 2008 after six years of construction.

It was designed by prominent Uruguayan architect <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://inhabitat.com/a-golden-banana-rafael-vinolys-firstsite-arts-center-finally-opens-with-mixed-reviews/" target="_blank">Rafael Viñoly</a> who attempted to integrate the new building into the scale of the old docks around it.

A semi-cylindrical cover made from glass with sliding anodized <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://inhabitat.com/floralis-generica-is-a-giant-metal-flower-that-blooms-daily-in-buenos-aires/" target="_blank">aluminum</a> parasols was designed to move with the sun to filter Buenos Aires' strong rays.

The innovative sliding top was engineered to stay closed during the day, protecting the art from direct sunlight, while at night pulling back to open the building up to the city.

The Fortabat <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-underground-museum-hidden-below-buenos-aires-government-house/" target="_blank">Museum</a> is made from steel, glass and concrete (this coincidentally also references Mrs. <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_Amalia_Lacroze_de_Fortabat" target="_blank">Fortabat</a> who once owned Argentina's largest concrete factory (<a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://www.lomanegra.com.ar/" target="_blank">Loma Negra</a>), among many other businesses).

Measuring 75,000 square feet, the art-filled shelter has a naturally lit lobby, gift shop, and a restaurant on the ground floor.

Its five levels are filled with local and international works, and two lower rooms are actually set below the water so that the surrounding canals can provide natural insulation.

On the two upper levels visitors can spot the complex roof technology, which opens and closes with the touch of a button.

French <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://en.barrisol.com/" target="_blank">Barrisol</a> fabric was used instead of paint, which last longer, requires practically no maintenance and can hold humidity at bay to protect the artworks.

Floors are made from a hardwood called <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_(wine)" target="_blank">Slavonia Oak</a> that is strong, long lasting, needs no finishing, and also has a beautiful grain.

Stylish details like a wooden 'floating' stairs to the sky give the building even more character.

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The floor is made from a hardwood called Slavonia Oak that is strong, long lasting, needs no finishing and also, has a beautiful grain.

Mrs. Fortabat was a rich business woman who enjoyed art and throwing money at it. She collected art gems from around the world and even had her portrait made by <a title="Innovative Fortabat Museum Boasts a Retractable Roof Overlooking Buenos Aires" href="http://inhabitat.com/temporary-canned-andy-warhol-museum-pops-up-in-a-lisbon-mall/" target="_blank">Andy Warhol</a>!