Critical review - The Transport Museum in Glasgow, Zaha Hadid and the Tall Ship

I spent the weekend in Glasgow and visited the Transport Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid.....and the Tall Ship 'Glenlee' which is situated directly outside the entrance of the museum.

The two attractions, look at first sight, as if they have nothing in common....but having found the concept top shot (as below) I can see how the Transport Museum looks to be an interpretation of waves, water and refracted light, leading to the shore where the boat is moored.

 I didn't get that impression whilst inside the building, but the concept, now having seen the exterior top view, makes more sense.

First we had a look around the Tall Ship, which is moored directly adjacent to the entrance of the museum. It reminded me of the contrast of the Royal Yacht in Leith, being situated directly alongside the Debenhams department store!

I was taken aback once we had gone below deck, as the space was enormous, and the curvature of the hull was extensive. The interior was so huge compared to the size of the deck that I wasn't entirely convinced that we were still inside the actual boat. Dr Who's Tardis came to mind.

The smell of varnish was wonderful, and I loved the contrast of one minute being surrounded by waxed timber, wooden beams, sugar sacks and jute, to the next minute being surrounded by molded ceiling panels, glass and steel.

The interior of the Transport Museum has been treated in a very specific pale green. All moldings, handrails, vents, air conditioning panels, conduit, ceiling panels, no matter what the finish, are all coated in the exact same colour.....pale Hospital Green. The colour reminded me of the 1920's and 1930's and sanitoriums and war museums. Interested to note that this colour, whilst definitely making a statement, didn't detract from the displays. The atmosphere it created only added to the 'historical' context of the transport showcased inside - and made the exterior completely contrast to the interior.

I particularly love this shot, where the Tall Ship is reflected in the glass, and the 'waves' (almost like sound waves, or heartbeat waves) crash over the top....