The result of the collaboration is a unique design that reveals the secrets of the Tudor warship, 30 years since the hull of the Mary Rose was raised from the Solent and 437 years after sinking. Like crafting a jewellery box to house a precious gem, the design team has created a building and interior that protects and showcases the Mary Rose.
Designed from the inside-out, the museum building takes many of its cues from the historic ship, allowing its hull, artefacts and exhibits to take centre stage and create a visitor experience befitting this remarkable piece of history.
At the project’s heart, within a carefully controlled ‘hot box’ environment, is the starboard section of the hull. Alongside it, a virtual port-side has been created on three levels to view the ship and house the context gallery.
Chris Wilkinson, of Wilkinson Eyre Architects, said: ‘When you have a treasure like the Mary Rose…the architecture of the building takes a supporting role. However, the building has a very significant part to play in projecting the museum and its remarkable collection….’
Chris Brandon, of Pringle Brandon Perkins+Will, said: ‘Our role was to create a befitting showcase for the Mary Rose and her artefacts, so we designed a museum that would recreate the experience of being on board the ship hundreds of years ago and created a context gallery to highlight its precious contents.’
