An Arup-led design team has been appointed to carry out a major redevelopment of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Northern Ireland, covering the restoration of its late 18th century Grade A listed observatory buildings and the replacement of its 1960s planetarium with a new facility featuring the UK's first LED dome.

Building reported that the project is funded by a £4m grant from the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and a £1.3m development grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with a potential further delivery grant of £4.94m also available from the Heritage Fund.

Arup is acting as engineer on the scheme, with Grimshaw and TODD Architects appointed jointly as architects alongside conservation practice James Grieve. The wider project team includes cost consultant and project manager Gleeds, planning consultant Tandem, transport consultant Karen McShane, and Tandem on interpretive design.

The new planetarium will be repositioned on the site to allow a reimagining of the entrance and an expanded physical connection with the observatory, which was founded in 1789 and is known for maintaining 232 years of unbroken weather records and for scientific innovations including the invention of the cup anemometer.

David Algie, director at Arup, said the redevelopment reflects a shared vision to transform the site into a world-class facility for research and education while safeguarding its heritage, and that the project will create an exceptional visitor experience to support wider economic development across the Armagh region.

Declan McCafferty, partner at Grimshaw, described the redevelopment as honouring the site's architectural and scientific legacy and supporting its journey toward UNESCO World Heritage status, as part of a joint transnational bid involving Dunsink Observatory in Dublin and the Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation in Co. Offaly.

Get the full details on the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium redevelopment and design team appointment.