Mace Construct starts on Natural History Museum science centre

The Natural History Museum has officially commenced construction on its new Science and Digitisation Centre at Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield, marking a major milestone in the development of a £201 million, state-of-the-art research and collections facility.

Led by Mace Construct, the project will see the creation of a 25,000m2 centre, equivalent to three football pitches, which will house 28 million natural history specimens—around a third of the Museum’s entire collection. The facility is expected to be completed in 2027 and operational by 2031.

The new centre will bring together advanced technologies for digital imaging, genomics, and specimen preservation, including digitisation suites, ancient DNA laboratories, cryo-storage facilities, conservation labs, and quarantine and specimen preparation areas. It will accommodate specimens ranging from microscopic water bears to fossilised whales, spanning millions of years of Earth’s history.

Located within the M4 corridor's high-tech hub, the facility is a partnership between the Natural History Museum and the University of Reading, known for its environmental science research. The collaboration is expected to support research into climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable resource management.

Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, said the centre would revolutionise global scientific research: “This project will accelerate solutions-led research into some of the greatest challenges facing the planet. From protecting habitats to enabling the energy transition, the centre has limitless potential.”

The UK Government is funding the project as part of its strategy to boost investment in science and research. The development forms a core part of the Museum's NHM Unlocked programme and the NHM150 fundraising campaign. It will enable the reopening of two long-closed galleries at the Museum’s South Kensington site and the transformation of four more.

Professor Robert van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, welcomed the partnership: “We are creating unprecedented opportunities for collaborative research that will help address the planet's most pressing challenges.”

Mace Construct leads the delivery, supported by CPC Project Services (project management), Arcadis (cost management), and a design team led by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) and Ramboll. Sustainability is a key focus, with the building aiming for net-zero operational carbon and using responsibly sourced materials.

Rob Lemming, Managing Director for Public Sector and Life Sciences at Mace Construct, added: “Breaking ground marks a major milestone. We are now turning vision into reality, creating a sustainable and technically advanced facility that will protect 28 million specimens and support pioneering research.”