The Government Property Agency has confirmed Mace as the main contractor to build a cutting-edge weather centre HQ.

Mace, which signed a pre-construction deal back in November 2023, will work with consultant AtkinsRealis on the £93m project to build the headquarters of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

Construction is set to begin shortly at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus with the building due to be completed by early 2027 when it will accommodate over 300 climate scientists.

The HQ will mean Reading will house one of the largest clusters of weather and climate research and operational forecasting facilities in the world.

It will join other weather organisations located at the campus including the Met Office, National Centres for Atmospheric Science and for Earth Observation, the Institute of Environmental Analytics and the Walker Institute for Climate Research.

Architect BDP has designed the four-storey building to be net zero in operation and achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating while being low carbon during construction.

Rob Lemming, managing director, Public Sector and Life Sciences, Construction at Mace, said: “This new state-of-the-art weather centre will be a global hub for scientists to advance numerical weather prediction and inform the fight against climate change.

“Every design decision has been driven by our commitment to reducing carbon emissions, in both operational and embodied carbon. This project exemplifies our dedication to creating a more sustainable future.”