National Museum of Natural History, Anthropology & Fine Arts. Latest Update
The National Museum Act, which was passed in 1998,[5] mandates the conversion of three civic buildings within Rizal Park, the Legislative Building, the Finance Building, and the Tourism Building, into museums. The Finance Building was the first to be repurposed. In 1998, the building was converted into the National Museum of Anthropology. The Legislative Building was converted into the National Museum of Fine Arts in 2000.[6] The Tourism Building would later become the National Museum of Natural History.
In 2013, preparations were commenced to have the building host the National Museum of Natural History. The administration of President Noynoy Aquino officially launched and backed the formation and establishment of the Museum of Natural History, as well as various regional museums throughout the country.[7] The National Museum of the Philippines invited five architects to submit proposals for the retrofitting and chose the 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 dome supported by a double helix structure inspired by DNA. The dome and supporting structure were 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.[8][9]
A bidding for prospective contractors for the renovation of the building was done in September 2015.[10]
The National Museum of Natural History was officially inaugurated on September 30, 2017.[6] A grand opening for the museum was expected in the later quarter of 2017.[11] The museum opened on May 18, 2018.