Long & Kentish Architects were selected as winners of the competition.

Wind, water and tides have been incorporated to feature as much in the visitors’ experience as the boats and local maritime history.

Construction of the museum posed a number of interesting technical and environmental challenges, including building part of the Museum over the dock wall into the harbour, constructing a gallery below sea level and developing a design that could use the natural environment to assist in controlling the internal conditions of the galleries to reduce energy usage.

A combination of key skills was brought into play in the design and construction of the Museum, including builders, curators, woodworkers, artists, designers, shipwrights, writers, film-makers, digital imagers and computer programmers.

Awards

• Winner The Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award 2014
• Civic Trust Award 2005
• RIBA Award South West 2003
• Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award – Finalist 2003
• The British Construction Industry Building Award Highly Commended 2003