The sketches for the extension of UK’s National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, which C. F. Møller Architects has designed, have now been published. The construction is planned to start this summer.

In 2006 C. F. Møller Architects won the international architectural competition for a new wing of 5200 m2. The site is in the middle of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage site.

The new wing will house a large special exhibitions gallery, a new south entrance towards Greenwich Park, and the creation of storage facilities for the National Maritime Archive with associated learning and research facilities.

This project will open up and reveal to the widest possible audience the stories of people and the sea that are stored within the archives of the museum. Additionally the project integrates public facilities, a new café and restaurant.

C. F. Møller Architects has devised the design solution of a new east-west pedestrian route which brings the National Maritime Museum into a seamless integration with Greenwich Park, and creates a new level of visibility and accessibility for the museum.

Due to the heritage sensitivity of the site, the bulk of the new construction is kept below ground, meaning that the new wing becomes a combination of architecture and public landscape. The roof of the new wing is a landscaped terrace overlooking the park, and all levels are accessed by gentle ramps.

Description from the architects:

‘The South West Wing project encompasses the creation of a new wing for the National Maritime Museum housing a large special exhibitions gallery, a new south entrance, and the creation of an archive with associated learning and research facilities as befitting the world’s foremost maritime archive collection.
The new special exhibitions gallery will allow the display of more collections than ever before, exciting new audiences with the sea and its role in our history, our lives today, and our future. A new architectural entrance will provide major visitor access for the first time from Greenwich Royal Park and from the world famous Royal Observatory.
This is a landmark project that will open up and reveal for everyone the fascinating stories of people and the sea.
C. F. Møller Architects is responsible for the concept design.’

For more pictures visit: www.cfmoller.com.