The National Museum of Natural History is a modern architectural marvel

The excitement to see National Museum of Natural History has been steadily increasing and pictures released by Mabuhay Magazine for its November issue has only served to make the public more impatient.

Photographed Rei Gill Medestomas, the new destination looks simply astonishing.

The glass dome that ushers natural light into the building is one of the most eye-catching features of the building, Anna Francesca Rosete reports for Mabuhay.

"Clad in triangular steel panels that resemble festive buntings, the dome is actually the canopy of the Tree of Life, a vertical steel structure inspired by human DNA, and just one of the many attractions at the newly opened National Museum of Natural History," continues Rosete.

The museum houses 11 permanent galleries across five floors. Visitors board an elevator at the base of the Tree of Life and begin their tour at the highgest floor and walk their way down.

Museum director Jeremy Barns distinguishes the National Museum of Natural History from the two museums in the vicinity by describing it as "more scientific." 

It showcases the Philippines' local flora and fauna. Among its attractions is Lolong, once certified as the largest crocodiles in captivity.

Lolong was taxidermied and brought to the museum in June this year and was selected for exhibition to "create awareness for Philippine wildlife and make us understand more about marshland ecology."

The National Museum of History building was originally built in 1930. It's redesign, spearheaded by Dominic Galicia Architects, took four years to complete, at a price tag of P2.4 billion. Mabuhay reports that it is one of the country's most ambitious cultural projects to date.

The museum will be open to certain groups this year, and will have its grand launch in May 2018. — AT/LA, GMA News