New science centre in Virginia is expected to serve over 300,000 visitors each year.
Balfour Beatty has announced the start of construction on the Northern Virginia Science Center in Dulles, Virginia, for the Science Museum of Virginia. Once complete, the project will fulfil the region’s long-held vision for a world class, interactive and innovative science centre which is expected to serve over 300,000 visitors of all ages each year.
The Northern Virginia Science Center features a state-of-the-art facility that includes five main exhibition galleries that will provide high-quality interactive and hands-on experiences and incorporate nature and the surrounding environment. Planned exhibition galleries include Flow, Helios, Wonder, Human and Habitat.
The science centre will also feature classrooms and multi-purpose rooms, administrative areas and exterior terraces. Additionally, Balfour Beatty will work with its design partners HGA in leveraging sustainable design and building elements such as materials that minimise embodied carbon and inclusion of pollinator gardens into the landscaping.
Art Malacarne, Balfour Beatty vice president in the Mid-Atlantic said: “Balfour Beatty looks forward to delivering the new 70,000-square-foot Northern Virginia Science Center in our community. Our project team is dedicated to being a champion for our client and plan to implement a collaborative, project-first approach to bring this landmark project to fruition. In partnership with the Department of General Services, our trade partners and project stakeholders, we will provide a premier facility that will inspire a love of learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics that fuels the next generation workforce.”
Balfour Beatty has delivered various museums in the Virginia area including the National Museum of the Marine Corps located in Quantico. The two-story, 120,000-square-foot facility features a museum gallery space, an orientation theatre, expansive entry lobby/atrium and more. Additionally, the company has completed notable memorials in the area such as the Pentagon Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial.
Construction is now underway for the Northern Virginia Science Center with expected completion in late 2026. For more information on the new science museum located in the Dulles Technology Corridor, please visit http://www.novasci.org
