In May 2017, China will have another museum to add to its already long roster of repositories for culture and the arts. The National Maritime Museum in Tianjin, north China, has been under construction, with the latest milestone being the completion of its steel structure.
According to coxarchitecture.com.au, the National Maritime Museum will have five halls radiating out to the port harbor and converging in a central Preface Hall. From west to east, there will be the Hall of Nature and Oceans, World Maritime Civilization Hall, Chinese Marine Culture Hall, Historic Vessel Hall, and a fifth hall to the west accommodates public education, business, research and curatorial facilities.
The museum is fronted by a "maritime plaza" where maritime re-enactments and other open air events are intended to actively engage the museum with the city. It is marked by an observation tower also acting as the museum’s energy plant.
The architecture is expressive of multiple interpretations (such as an open hand, anemone, corals, vessels in port), not as obvious metaphors, but as enticements for visitation and exploration of a multifaceted set of experiences within.
Credit: Cox Architecture
