VolkerFitzpatrick has scooped a £20 million contract to develop new National Maritime Systems Centre.

The centre will be located in Portsdown Technology Park, on behalf of leading science and engineering company QinetiQ.

The works are due to begin in early 2019 and continue for 18 months.

The design and build project will see VolkerFitzpatrick demolish an existing structure before constructing a part two-storey, part four-storey building in its place. The new facility will feature office space, laboratories and ancillary accommodation. The team will also construct a feature atrium, with a double height reception area and a 100-seat lecture auditorium.


The building will have approximately 6,320m2 of office space and consist of a concrete frame, with curtain walling and a rainscreen façade. The team will also install photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to supplement the building services demand and reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint. The facility has been designed to meet the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard.

Once completed, the National Maritime Systems Centre will increase the capacity of Portsdown Technology Park, transforming it into a UK Centre of Excellence for Maritime Mission Systems.

Stuart Deverill, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick's Building division, said: "We are very pleased to have been chosen by QinetiQ to be their construction partner for this exciting multi-use specialist facility. This recent appointment demonstrates VolkerFitzpatrick’s continued commitment to the UK defence sector."