OKM – the Next Stage

Construction works on the Maritime Culture Centre (OKM) have been going on for 18 months. At present the building undergoes finishing works. Stone and wooden floors are laid. In technical facilities technological floors are placed (made of epoxy resin). Lifts, and foot-paths being elements of the staircase in the main hall of the building are being assembled. After numerous discussions with the Investor and the Contract Engineer, bricks were finally selected and masonry works started in June this year. Currently sophisticated works with details are being completed. ‘Gradually scaffolding is being pulled down from the Długie Pobrzeże side, and then from Szeroka and Tokarska side’ – says Witold Kornaga, site manager. In the end of October all the scaffolding will be dismantled, and inhabitants off Gdańsk will be able to see the whole façade of the OKM building. So it is worth taking a walk along the Gdańsk historic city centre and appreciate the looks of new buildings along Długie Pobrzeże.

Simultaneously with the finishing touches inside the building, fittings and interior design works are being carried out. Our laboratories have already been equipped with special furniture and relevant research apparatus which will be used in conservation works. A freeze-dryer is being mounted, and our Educational Department is intensively cooperating with the Mega company from Oleśnica to prepare an interactive exhibition. Another exhibition, “Boats of Peoples of the World”, is well advanced, and the building is furnished with office equipment.

Simultaneous construction and furnishing works cause numerous problems and complications. ‘We have to scrutinise everything in detail. When the equipment and furniture are in, it would be difficult to improve shortcomings and errors’, says Jerzy Czarnobaj, Contract Engineer. He underlines, however, that there is one common goal for everybody: opening the new site as soon as possible.

Managers of the Museum hope that first visitors to the Maritime Culture Centre will arrive in the first quarter of 2012.