The CA$ 35.5m (£22m, 24.9m euro) Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium at the Múseums Nature Montréal in Canada will open in April 2013.

The new planetarium is the first phase of a CA$ 189m (£122.9m, 138.9m euro) redevelopment of the science museum and will join the Biodome, the Insectarium, and the Biotanical Gardens as part of sciences museum complex known 'Space for Life'.

The government of Quebec, Canada, Rio Tinto Alcan and the city of Montreal will provide the funding for the planetarium.

Created by architect Julien Cardin, the new planetarium will be built by Group Decarel and will meet high environmental design standards.

In addition to receiving the level of LEED Platinum, Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium will offer a living environment eco-friendly, both inside and outside. It provides for an ecological landscaping of the site, including revegetation of 75 per cent of the roof surface, which will be accessible to the public.

The Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium will include two immersion theatres, hosting multimedia shows using the latest technology. The first show will take visitors on a voyage through space lasting about 20 minutes. The second theatre will host a more scientific show, beneath the starry dome.

Executive committee member, Alan DeSousa, said: "This sustainable development will enable citizens and especially for young generations to sharpen their sense of discovery and stimulate their imagination."