Government Property Agency Appoints Mace for Reading Weather Centre

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22 January 2025

Mace will be the main contractor for the new European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts HQ in Reading.

It will house up to 300 scientists and staff working on weather prediction systems, forecast production, and climate change research.

Appointed through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework, Mace will work alongside multidisciplinary consultant AtkinsRéalis to deliver the largest cluster of weather and climate research and operational forecasting facilities in the world.  

The site is on the university’s Whiteknights campus and currently houses the university’s School of Art in flat-roofed, office buildings dating from the second world war. These will be demolished under the new plans. The new building will feature workspaces and meeting rooms, a lecture theatre, council chamber, and an interactive weather room. 

It will also feature optimised solar shading and energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems, aligning with the 2030 LETI (Low Energy Transformation Initiative) standards for operational energy. 

Georgina Dunn, Interim Director of Capital Projects at the Government Property Agency (GPA), said: “The new ECMWF headquarters will not only advance capabilities in weather and climate research but also bring significant benefits to the local community. By prioritising both embodied and operational carbon reductions, this project exemplifies our commitment to both sustainable development and scientific innovation.”

Rob Lemming, Managing Director, Public Sector and Life Sciences, Construction, UK at Mace, added: “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. Our focus on sustainability and innovation for this project will help the new headquarters meet the highest environmental standards.

“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.”

Picture: a CGI showing the proposed exterior of the new building. Image Credit: GPA

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 22 January 2025

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