Ahead of Istanbul Modern’s 20th anniversary in 2024, a new building by Renzo Piano was commissioned in its original site along the Bosporus strait. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, poised between history and future, its design conveys a sense of transparency and weightlessness. “In this project, we had to deal with the concept of limits. Limits can be seen in two ways, they may prevent you from making interesting choices or they may represent a solid ground to climb and make projects,” said Renzo Piano at the museum’s opening in 2023. “Some choices here were indisputable: the ground floor structure, the presence of ships docking in front of the building, the height, and, last but not least, a budget that had to be strictly respected. All these things can be seen as terrible obstacles, or on the contrary, providential help to focus attention elsewhere”.
Its waterfront location proved providential indeed: the museum taps into a centralized seawater plant that serves not only Istanbul Modern but also the surrounding Galataport port complex development. This renewable system reduces the building’s carbon footprint while cutting potable water use. Architectural features such as floating terraces and elevated structures allow water, air, and light to flow beneath the building, reinforcing strategies of passive ventilation and water-based cooling. In this way, the museum’s relationship with the Bosporus becomes both symbolic and functional — a dialogu e between culture, climate, and place.
Museums are among the most climate-sensitive buildings in the world. Behind every gallery lies a sophisticated network of systems designed to maintain temperature and humidity within strict tolerances for conservation. These systems are typically energy-intensive, relying on cooling towers, compressors, and chemical refrigerants. The Istanbul Modern is a recent example of a new generation of cultural buildings showing that the sea itself can be the most sustainable chiller.
The Museu do Amanhã, n Rio de Janeiro integrates a seawater-fed cooling system that pumps water from Guanabara Bay into heat exchangers before returning it safely. This system, paired with solar spines and passive shading, reduces potable water use and energy costs. The museum consumes 40% less energy than comparable conventional buildings. Opened in 2016 and designed by Santiago Calatrava, the building was inspired by the bromelias of Rio’s Botanical Gardens.
At Pier 15 in San Francisco, the Exploratorium uses the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay to run a radiant heating and cooling system embedded under the building’s floors. This system replaces traditional cooling towers, saving over 2 million gallons of potable water annually and achieving LEED Platinum certification. Designed by EHDD Architects and opened in 2013, the museum sits completely over the water, which helps maintain its average temperature. The bay water circulates through titanium-plated heat exchangers to stabilize indoor climate without chemical refrigerants.
Seawater-fed cooling systems demonstrate how museums can align conservation demands with climate goals. By turning natural temperature gradients into a reliable energy source, they reduce emissions, protect water resources, and transform infrastructure into an invisible partner in cultural stewardship.
As Renzo Piano reflected in an interview: “What keeps you alive is not what you’ve done, but what you have not done.” For the museums leading this shift, what they are choosing not to do — burn excess energy, use harmful chemicals, or waste water — is exactly what keeps their buildings, their collections, and their cities alive.
NEXT IN Summit is the event promoted by ACCIONA Cultura that brings together international leaders in the cultural field to share experiences, discuss ideas and analyze the challenges that will shape the future of the cultural industry.