C.Y. Tung Maritime Museum, Shanghai, China
Winner: Nelson Chen Architects Ltd.
Award: Merit Award for Architecture

A 13,000 sq.ft. renovation of a 1909 heritage building at Jiaotong University in Shanghai, this conversion has transformed a former student dormitory into a China maritime history museum including a permanent exhibit to commemorate the shipping magnate C.Y. Tung with manuscripts, photos and personal artifacts.

Rather than a "renovation" its architectural conservation is actually more of a "reconstruction" A new reinforced concrete structure was required to strengthen the deteriorated timber structure and bring the building to current building regulations. The entire roof structure was rebuilt; external facades were restored with matching brick tiles; and timber columns were replaced with concrete, with timber pattern from formwork left visible to recall the original material.

The central courtyard lined with balcony corridors becomes a double-height exhibit atrium with a new skylight, linking all parts of the building. Original doors to the balcony allow natural light from this atrium to permeate through all the galleries.

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