The new Natural History Museum Denmark in Copenhagen is set to open on 6 March following a major redevelopment project.
Designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects in collaboration with Claus Pryds Architects, the new museum aims to unify the city's botanical garden, its historic buildings, and the new architecture.
"Our vision is to create a beacon for the future of natural history that strengthens the connection between people and nature," said the museum's director, Nina Rønsted.
"Nature is in crisis, and at the same time, many people feel disconnected from it. When we don't feel connected to nature, we don't feel responsible for it either."
The Denmark Natural History Museum is designed to strengthen the connection between people and natureTorben Eskerod
"That is why our most important task is to help restore that connection – and to spark wonder that can spur change," she added.
Part of the University of Copenhagen, the Natural History Museum Denmark will open with eight new exhibitions – Universe, Earth, Life, Denmark, Arctic, Biodiversity, Humans, and Ocean Hall.
The museum looks after a collection of around 14 million items collected over 400 years, including animal, plant and fossil specimens, as well as minerals and meteorites, while the botanical garden's living collections include around 8,000 plant species.
Lene Tranberg, architect and co-founder of Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects, said the museum's "underground universe of exhibition galleries" have been "designed to engage all the senses – like moving through natural phenomena".
"A world of nature, science and wonder"
Claus Pryds added: "The ambition has been to create a place where, for a while, you can step out of the city and into a world of nature, science and wonder.
"The Botanical Garden extends above the underground galleries in a natural interplay with the buildings, so that the museum is experienced as a unified whole."
Anne-Marie Hoogerwerf Hospes, head of commercial activities at the Natural History Museum Denmark, spoke at the blooloop festival of innovation earlier this year.
