When visitors arrive in Maritime Greenwich, they are often struck with the majesty of the setting, the classical elegance of the buildings and the dramatic vistas. It all seems timeless and fixed.

But this is something of an illusion. The architectural landscape from the Naval College to the Royal Observatory was largely in place by 1820. The rest of the World Heritage Site, including the Museum and its surroundings, has been evolving ever since, adapting to meet new needs and challenges.

The Museum buildings began life in 1807 as a school for the children of seafarers. The South-West Wing was built as a dining hall in 1876. The Regatta Café, extended in the 1930s and 1960s, was originally the school kitchen.

The new Sammy Ofer Wing will relate the Museum more effectively to the Park and King William Walk, the main pedestrian routes from public transport arrival points. C. F. Moller Architects have designed the new wing to complement and enhance the Museum’s setting and its place in the World Heritage Site.