The Natural History Museum has appointed Mace as the main contractor to manage and oversee the building of its new collections, research and digitisation centre at the Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield.
Mace has been attached to the project since signing a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) in November 2023. At the time work was expected to start in 2024 but the start date slipped.
The original four-storey steel structure design risked wildly busting the budget. Mace's subcontractor Morrisroe came up with a cheaper post-tensioned concrete frame, a design that was peer reviewed by Ramboll as well as independent structural engineer Arup prior to adoption by the client.
Morrisroe kept the project on the rails 鈥� literally as well as metaphorically 鈥� as its PT concrete design had to meet onerous deflection limits required by the roller rack shelving system that will be used to store artefacts.
With contracts signed, construction is now 聽expected to begin imminently. The facility is expected to be finished in 2027 and operational by 2031.
Mace will lead on the procurement and construction of the new facility and will be supported by CPC Project Services providing project management support and Arcadis providing cost management support. The existing design team, novated to Mace, will be led by the architectural firm Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios and includes consulting engineer Ramboll.
The 25,000 sqm facility will have purpose-built storage for 28 million specimens, around a third of the museum鈥檚 collection, as well as provide digital, analytical and genomic technologies and facilities for the scientific community.
The new centre will house the Natural History Museum鈥檚 collections of mammals, non-insect invertebrates (such as corals, crustaceans, molluscs and worms), fossilised mammals and invertebrates, molecular collections and micropalaeontology. It is being said that transporting the specimens to Shinfield will be the largest move of natural history specimens that the world has ever seen.
The facility will include: an imaging and analysis centre, with digitisation suites; molecular biology laboratories, with DNA labs; cryo-facilities for tissue storage; conservation labs; and specimen preparation labs, including quarantine facilities.
Rob Lemming, managing director for public sector and life sciences at Mace Construct, said: "As we embark on this significant project, our focus is on creating a facility that not only protects the Museum's invaluable specimens but also serves as a centre for groundbreaking research. This building will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, enabling solutions-led research into some of the greatest challenges facing the planet, from climate change and biodiversity loss to health and sustainable resourcing.鈥�
Keith Jennings, director of estates, projects and masterplanning at the Natural History Museum, added: 鈥淚t is fantastic we will soon be breaking ground for such a pivotal project that will transform collections access, physically and digitally, for the scientific community. This increased accessibility will enhance both the research capability of our 400 scientists and researchers from all over the world - ultimately strengthening the UK鈥檚 position in finding solutions to the planetary emergency.鈥�
The Natural History Museum has further capital project plans with ambitions to raise 拢150m as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2031, to transform its main building in South Kensington. Moving a third of its collections to Shenfield will enable two galleries that have been closed to the public since 2004 and 1948 to be reopened.
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