Country Philippines Established 2017 Renovated 2015 | Status Under Renovation Floors 6 Renovation cost 1 billion PHP | |
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Former names Agriculture and Commerce BuildingDepartment of Tourism Building Address Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines Hours Open today · 12AM–8PM, 10PM–12AMWednesday12AM–8PM, 10PM–12AMThursday12AM–8PM, 10PM–12AMFriday12AM–8PM, 10PM–12AMSaturday12AM–8PM, 10PM–12AMSunday12AM–8PM, 10PM–12AMMonday12AM–8PM, 10PM–12AMTuesday12AM–8PM, 10PM–12AMSuggest an edit Similar Rizal Park, National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Fine Arts, National Planetarium, National Museum of the Philip | ||
The National Museum of Natural History (Filipino: Pambansang Museo ng Likas na Kasaysayan) in Manila will be a natural history museum in the Philippines to be hosted inside the building formerly occupied by the Department of Tourism within Rizal Park near the Agrifina Circle. It is to be operated by the National Museum of the Philippines.
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History
The building to be occupied by the museum was built as the Agriculture and Commerce Building in 1940. The neoclassical building and was designed by Filipino architect, Antonio Toledo in the late 1930s. The Agriculture and Commerce Building was left to ruins following the aftermath of the Liberation of Manila during the World War II but was later reconstructed according to the original plans after the war.
At some point in time, the building was occupied by the Department of Tourism, hence the building became known as the Department of Tourism Building.
Conversion to the National Museum of Natural History
In 2013, preparations were commenced to have the building host the National Museum of Natural History. The National Museum of the Philippines invited five architects to submit proposals for the retrofiting and chose design of the team from Dominic Galicia Architects and interior designer Tina Periquet. Galicia's design involved the maintenance of the building's facade except for the addition of a glass domed supported by a double helix structure which was inspired from DNA. The dome and supporting structure was dubbed as the "Tree of Life" and will cover the courtyard of the six-storey building. The project estimated to cost around ₱1 billion was initially scheduled to be completed in 2015 in time for the 2015 APEC Summit.
A bidding for prospect contractors for the renovation of the building was done in September 2015. The opening of the museum to the public is planned in 2017.