The project encompasses the creation of a new wing for the National Maritime Museum, named the Sammy Ofer Wing – after the international shipping magnate and philanthropist Sammy Ofer, who has funded most of the project. The aim has been to open up and reveal for everyone the fascinating stories of people and the sea.

The main idea of the extension has been to ensure minimal interventions in this sensitive historic UNESCO site and yet give the museum a new distinctive main entrance and the necessary additional exhibition space, as well as a new café, restaurant, library and archives that meet the particular demands for storage of historical documents.