Work starts on world-leading scientific centre

Wates Construction has begun work on the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), which will be a purpose-built facility and a world-leading scientific research institution.

Located at the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Campus at Harwell in Oxfordshire, the ambition of the national centre is to foster a vibrant environment that promotes collaboration between quantum hardware and software researchers, attracting visitors and industry interest from across the UK and internationally.

The programme is funded through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in partnership between the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and STFC.

Aiming to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, the new mixed provision of office, meeting and laboratory spaces will enable multidisciplinary teams to collaborate, providing the necessary infrastructure and an environment in which to design, build, operate and host quantum computers.

Paul Chandler, Executive Managing Director, Wates Construction Group, said: “We are proud to be delivering a facility that supports the UK’s ambition to be at the forefront of the pioneering quantum computing technology. The project will allow increased collaboration and provide new ways of working to help tackle the problems that classical computers can’t resolve. Working alongside UKRI, we want to ensure that world-leading technological innovation continues to grow and flourish in the UK through having the best-in-class buildings that can facilitate it.”