Shimmering Titanic Belfast Museum Celebrates the Famous Sunken Ship

The <a href="http://www.titanicbelfast.com/" target="_blank">Titanic Belfast</a> is the world's largest Titanic attraction, and it is located at the site of the famous ship's construction in Northern Ireland. Designed by <a href="http://www.toddarch.co.uk/news/2012/03/todd-architects-has-successfully-handed-over-titanic-belfast.php" target="_blank">TODD Architects</a>, the interactive museum took 3 years to build - the same amount of time it took to build the ship - and it <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2126853/Titanic-Belfast-Putting-Northern-Irelands-capital-map.html?ito=feeds-newsxml" target="_blank">opened just in time</a> for the 100 year anniversary of the Titanic's maiden voyage. Resembling an iceberg, the downfall of the famous ship, the museum holds 9 galleries that explore its design, construction, life and watery death. TODD Architects employed the use of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/bim">BIM</a> to achieve a high level of efficiency, and the project is on course to receive <a href="http://www.breeam.org/" target="_blank">BREEAM Excellent</a> status.

The Titanic's maiden voyage was in April of 1912 and 100 years later, the <a href="http://www.titanicbelfast.com/" target="_blank">Titanic Belfast</a> museum opens in celebration of her construction.

The White Star Line ocean liner was originally constructed in the Belfast shipyard and the museum celebrates her crafstmanship and the people who built her.

Irish Architecture firm, <a href="http://www.toddarch.co.uk/" target="_blank">TODD Architects</a> is responsible for the design of the icy museum, which is clad in 3,000 individual silver anodized aluminum shards, which required sophisticated 3D modeling to complete.

The museum's volume is meant to resemble four 90 ft high hulls although it eerily looks a bit like an iceberg, which was the cause of the ship's demise.

Inside, the museum features 9 interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the city and people which made her.

<a href="http://www.titanicbelfast.com/Navigation/The-Titanic-Experience.aspx" target="_blank">Visitors can explore</a> how the ship was constructed, her launch, the lavish rooms of the wealthy, third class steerage, the timeline of the disaster, and then details about her watery grave.

The building will also house temporary exhibits, a 1,000–seat banqueting suite, education and community facilities, catering and retail space and a basement car park.

An almost exact replica of the Grand Staircase.

Grand Staircase room and dining area.

Third Class open space.

Private bedroom.

Construction of the Titanic Belfast.

TODD Architects employed 3D modeling and Building Information Modeling in order to design the highly efficient building. They are currently seeking BREEAM Excellent status after it officially opened on March 31, 2012.