Denver museum breaks ground on new facility

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has begun construction on its new $56.6m five-storey education and collections facility in Colorado, US, which will add 126,000ft² and five levels to its south side.

The project includes a 40,000ft² Science Engagement Centre spread over three floors above ground as well as a two-level, 60,000ft² underground space called the Rocky Mountain Science Collections Centre, which will house 1.4 million artefacts.

The building has been part-funded by the 2007 Better Denver Bond programme, with an additional $8m in funding coming from the private Morgridge Family Foundation.

The new facility is set to open in 2014.