Mace appointed on scientific facility to house the world’s most powerful laser

Mace, the international construction and consultancy firm, has been appointed main contractor under a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) for the extension and part refurbishment of the existing Vulcan Laser Facility on the Harwell Campus, Oxford.

The Mace construct team are set to carry out the design, buildability, construction, programme, and planning services. 

The redevelopment will significantly enhance the research capabilities of the existing Central Laser Facility (CLF). It will house the new Vulcan 20-20 laser, the most powerful laser in the world, will help scientists working on nuclear fusion, understanding plasma, new renewable energy sources and studying electromagnetic fields.

Mace will lead on the installation of two seven-meter-tall targeting bunkers, with walls and soffits up to 2.0 meters thick. These structures are made with a specialised radiation-resistant concrete mixture that can shield beams a billion times hotter than the brightest sunlight. 

As main contractors, Mace will leverage the wealth of experience the company gained from the construction of the existing Extreme Photonics Applications Centre (EPAC) for the CLF & STFC. 

To maintain the continuity of knowledge and expertise, Mace will partner with the same project team -Fairhurst Design Group (Architect), Glanville (civil and structural engineers), Hoare Lea (Mechanical and Electrical engineering), BB7 (fire engineering) and RSK (acoustic engineering). 

Mace has been working with the STFC since 2017 and delivered three pioneering research facilities - the Rosalind Franklin Institute, the National Satellite Test Facility and the Extreme Photonics Applications Centre. 

Terry Spraggett, Managing Director Public Sector Construction, Mace said: 

“We are thrilled to once again be working on such an exciting and important project for the STFC. 

“I am proud that together with our partners we will play a part in delivering a project that will push the boundaries of science and research - enabling some of the key scientific breakthroughs of our time.’’