Work to start imminently on Reading weather forecast centre

Mace has been appointed as main contractor by the Government Property Agency through the Crown Commercial Service framework (CCS) for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

Mace will lead on the procurement of the design for the ECMWF new headquarters, located adjacent to Reading University’s Department of Meteorology, on the Whiteknights campus.

Designed to be an industry leading net zero carbon building, the development is targeting a BREEAM ’Excellent’ rating and will be low carbon during construction and when operational.

Once complete, the new HQ will house a research institute as well as 24/7 operational services, producing and disseminating numerical weather prediction to its member states. The new designs feature cross-disciplinary workspaces, a conference centre, council chamber, interactive weather room and central atrium.