Construction has officially begun on the Northern Virginia Science Center, located in Loudoun County near Dulles. This highly anticipated facility is set to become a major attraction, expected to bring in over 300,000 visitors annually once completed in late 2026.

Balfour Beatty, the construction company behind the project, is well-known for its work on iconic structures such as the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico and the Pentagon Memorial. The science center will span 70,000 square feet and will be located in the Kincora development near the Route 7 and Route 28 interchange.

The center will feature five major galleries: Flow, Helios, Wonder, Human, and Habitat. These interactive exhibitions will engage visitors of all ages by incorporating the natural surroundings and environment. Additionally, the facility will include classrooms, multi-purpose rooms, administrative areas, and outdoor terraces for visitors to enjoy.

Balfour Beatty is working alongside architectural design partners at HGA to ensure sustainability in the project, including using materials that minimize carbon emissions. The landscape will also feature pollinator gardens to support the local ecosystem.

Art Malacarne, Balfour Beatty’s Vice President for the Mid-Atlantic region, expressed his excitement, stating, “Balfour Beatty looks forward to delivering the new 70,000-square-foot Northern Virginia Science Center in our community. Our project team is dedicated to being a champion for our client and plan to implement a collaborative, project-first approach to bring this landmark project to fruition."

Once completed, the Northern Virginia Science Center will be a division of the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, which also includes a sister center in Danville.
The science center’s design will not only cater to educational needs but also focus on environmental sustainability. The planned exhibits will explore various natural phenomena, human biology, and environmental impacts in a way that inspires visitors of all ages. The center is designed to engage local schools, researchers, and families in promoting scientific curiosity and learning. It will serve as an important hub for science education in the region.

The project is being closely monitored by local government officials, who see it as a valuable addition to the Dulles Technology Corridor. Local leaders hope that the science center will contribute to both tourism and community education while supporting the region’s expanding tech industry. With construction underway, many are eager to witness the project’s impact on both the community and the future of STEM education in Northern Virginia.

Originally reported by Sebastien Kraft in Inside Nova.