Willmott Dixon scored a £20M contract to build Wales’ first science park.

It's been appointed by Menai Science Park, a subsidiary of Bangor University, to build the project in Gaerwen, Anglesey, to drive growth in science, with an early focus on low carbon energy and the environment. Work begins this year; Willmott Dixon is teaming up with FaulknerBrown Architects and Pwllheli-based Trawscoed Studio, which is creating 3D visualisation of the first phase, with completion in early 2018.

Phase 1 will consist of a nearly 54k SF three-storey building that will comprise offices, laboratory and workshop space for up to 700 people from startups, accelerator and mature projects as well as an open innovation area. It will form the hub for the entire Parc and become a regional centre for a range of businesses from startups to large corporate companies.

The 20-acre site will also be landscaped within a parkland setting. Bangor University secured £10.8M from the Welsh government and £10.2M of European Regional Development funding for the development.

The new project comes as Willmott Dixon is about to hand over the Met Office’s supercomputer in Exeter, which is 13 times more powerful than the current system used by the Met Office for weather prediction.

The company also recently built a testing facility at Harwell Science Campus in Oxfordshire and the world's quietest building at the University of Cambridge. It's behind the University of Chester’s Intelligent Energy System Demonstrator project as well as Boole Technology Centre at the Lincoln Science & Innovation Park, and is expanding the BioCity complex in Nottingham.