Design of ECMWF’s new headquarters building. The computer-generated image has been produced by the architects, BDP, who are appointed by the main contractor, Mace Construct.
Construction has begun on ECMWF’s new cutting-edge headquarters in Reading, UK, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on 9 July 2025.
The event took place at the site of the new headquarters on the University of Reading’s Whiteknights Campus. It was led by Lord Vallance, the UK Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Also in attendance were key stakeholders in the project, including ECMWF Directors; Penny Endersby, CEO of the UK Met Office and President of ECMWF’s Council; Mark Bourgeois, CEO at the Government Property Agency (GPA), which is delivering the scheme; and representatives of the University of Reading, the design and build construction partners, and the architects.
The modern, accessible and highly sustainable headquarters, whose construction is being funded through the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is expected to be ready for occupation in early 2027.
ECMWF will move from its existing premises in Reading, where it has been for half a century, to the new headquarters. Once operational, the building will accommodate up to 300 scientists and staff to support world-leading work on all aspects of weather prediction systems, forecast production and research into climate change.
The state-of-the-art facility will support the use of the latest advances made in areas such as data assimilation, Earth system modelling, predictability and reanalysis to improve weather predictions and understanding of climate.
Groundbreaking ceremony at the site for the new ECMWF building on the University of Reading campus with Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation. (L-R): Jonathan Richards (MACE Project Director), Andy Brown (Director of Research, ECMWF), Mark Bourgeois (Chief Executive of Government Property Agency (GPA)), Lord Vallance, Penny Endersby (Chief Executive of the UK Met Office and President of the ECMWF Council), and Professor Robert Van de Noort (Vice Chancellor, University of Reading).
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “The UK is proud to continue to host the headquarters of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. This state-of-the-art facility places the UK at the heart of international efforts that are helping us to make better sense of our weather and climate. By improving our weather predictions we can optimise our energy consumption estimates, adjust transport schedules effectively and give our farmers time to prepare for extreme weather – helping people and businesses to save money, cut energy use and stay safe."
ECMWF Director-General Florence Rabier said: “After 50 years at Shinfield Park in Reading, we are pleased that this move to state-of-the-art sustainable premises will provide excellent facilities for our staff and visitors, and bring us even closer to many colleagues at the university. ECMWF is an intergovernmental organisation with 35 Member and Co-operating States that has built a strong international collaboration with each of these countries’ meteorological services. As well as traditional numerical weather prediction and research, together with our Member and Co-operating States, we are spearheading the artificial intelligence/machine learning revolution in weather science for the benefit and protection of citizens.”