National Maritime Museum
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London Planning Awards (Commendation)
Civic Trust Awards (Commendation)
Building Awards Public Building of the Year (Finalist)
RIBA London Awards
RICS London Design & Innovation Awards (Shortlisted)
New London Awards: Culture and Community (Commendation)
New London Awards: Conservation & Retrofit (Shortlisted)
This multi-million pound scheme for the National Maritime Museum was developed, executed and delivered from a concept design prepared by C. F. Møller Architects. We were the executive architects responsible for executing the new Sammy Ofer Wing, which doubles the volume of the Museum’s existing South West Wing, providing a dramatic new entrance onto Greenwich Park.
The project involved substantial alterations to install a BS5454 compliant archive and a large contemporary extension which houses a new entrance, public facilities and a special exhibition gallery. The building’s sustainability features, including the refurbished South-West Wing and the new build element of the project, enabled it to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating.
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The location for the project was designated a World Heritage Site and Metropolitan Open Land which provided further constraints to developing a new building adjacent to the Grade I listed museum.
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The Sammy Ofer Wing was designed to occupy the site of the former Regatta Café and service yards outside the South-West Wing in order to create a new entrance directly addressing Greenwich Park.
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We developed the design and detailing of the building, producing visualisations to assist discussions with planning and conservation officers, English Heritage, and local amenity groups. We achieved consent without objections in three months.
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We also held workshop meetings with client departments to understand their requirements and have delivered a building which meets their needs, from the macro scale of how the building is laid out, to the micro of what is provided in each space.
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The interior of the existing South-West Wing was substantially reconfigured to house the new archive and reading room. The existing floors were removed and new floors installed on an independent structure, allowing for the addition of an extra level.
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A new independent structure was installed within the South West Wing, which contributes to the stability of the existing structure, and supports the archive and reading room floors, including an additional level.
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The bulk of the new construction is below ground, so the new wing becomes a combination of architecture and public landscape. The excavation measured 35 metres by 55 metres and was 10 metres deep.
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The building combines clear planning and an open, accessible layout with contrasts that create excitement and interest. Circulation and accessibility have improved and the lobby provides an excellent location to hold museum events.
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The profile of the extension was kept low to allow appreciation of the Victorian façade of the South-West Wing as a backdrop to this striking contemporary building. The profile is punctuated by dramatic roof lanterns to create interest within the entrance lobby.
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Public spaces via generous ramps lead up to an elevated terrace, which forms the roof of the new wing and provides a landscaped viewpoint overlooking the Park.
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The new wing merges seamlessly into the landscape and engages the adjacent Greenwich Park with minimal impact on the sensitive heritage site. New water features add interest and delight on the approach to the new entrance.