THE National Maritime Museum’s new £35 million Sammy Ofer Wing has opened to the public.
The major development, the largest in the NMM’s history, was made possible thanks to a £20 million donation from shipping magnate and philanthropist, Sammy Ofer.
The new building, which creates a new main entrance to the NMM from Greenwich Park, was officially opened by the HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (pictured below) on Tuesday.
It includes a special exhibitions gallery, a permanent gallery called Voyagers which introduces the story of Britain and the sea, a new state of the art library and a new café and brasserie with views over Greenwich Park.
The Sammy Ofer Wing opens with a new six-month special exhibition called ‘High Arctic‘ – an immersive experience set in the Arctic 0f 2100 AD.
Lord Sterling, Chairman of the National Maritime Museum, said: “In the Sammy Ofer Wing, our new exhibition space will introduce new generations of visitors to the many rich narratives bound up in our maritime story. This visionary transformation would not have been possible without the support of Sammy Ofer and the Heritage Lottery Fund.”
Kevin Fewster, National Maritime Museum Director, said: “The Sammy Ofer Wing creates a spectacular, contemporary environment in which more people can appreciate the wonders of our world-class collections and their stories of human endeavour and discovery.”
Sammy Ofer died just a few weeks before the completion of the project.
The new Sammy Ofer wing of the Maritme Museum is the best thing that has happened to Greenwich for ages!
Its architecture blends in so well with its surroundings, complementing the existing museum buildings. My young children especially love the water features.
The Architects and the NMM must be applauded.
It’s a real shame that the The University of Greenwich School of Architecture didn’t get an architect to design their new campus as well as this.
Yes, a fine addition and superior development of the Greenwich World Heritage Site.
Stark contrast to Lord Coe’s insane and obscene heritage theft and vandalism – £60 million being flushed away on a seriously flawed concept with no long term benefit to the nation whatsoever.
The Danish architects CF Moller will I’m sure be very pleased to add it to their job well done portfolio.
Not sure Grimshaw and Youmeheshe will be doing the same with the tragic ‘Homebase’ outcome of the Cutty Sark project.
Also agree that the School of Architecture looks to be a very uninspiring and anonymous solution.
Surely we can do and deserve better than one out of four?
Sadly it would appear that other countries are more protective of our country than we are.
One gripe about the new wing – the banner signs. Can’t believe that these garage forecourt additions were the choice of the architects. More the work of the marketing department looking through a catalogue.
Get CF Moller back in immediately. One well designed touchpoint is what is needed – not six tacky ones!