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Sterling, VA — On March 31, 2025, the CPL team joined civic leaders, elected officials and area residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of the long-anticipated Northern Virginia (NOVA) Science Center, a future hub for hands-on learning and inclusive community engagement.

Years in the making, the project represents a powerful collaboration between public agencies, private investors and local champions, including the Science Museum of Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia and Loudoun County; all united by a shared mission to bring an interactive science education destination to the region.

A rendering of a modern, gray museum facility. People are walking around the main entrance and the sky is blue with white clouds.

Currently under construction on a five-acre site within the Dulles Technology Corridor at Kincora, the future 70,000 sq. ft. Center has been designed by our Community & Culture practice team to ignite curiosity across all ages. Once complete, it will feature five immersive, nature-focused exhibition galleries—Flow, Helios, Wonder, Habitat and Human—along with a living lab, innovation studios, administrative offices, a nature terrace and flexible spaces for children, seniors, veterans and other community members.

The facility will also host pop-up workshops, public programs and special events, and will connect to over 200 acres of parkland along the Broad Run stream valley, offering outdoor opportunities that extend the museum experience beyond its walls.

Watch a video flythrough of the future Science Center.

“Together with our partners, we’ve envisioned a place where access to STEM education won’t be limited by zip code or background,” said CPL Vice President Lee Shadbolt, AIA, NCARB. “With more than 300,000 visitors expected each year, the Center will empower young minds to explore possibilities they may never have imagined—and take the first steps toward meaningful careers in science and technology.”

The $100 million project is supported by a $19 million contribution from Loudoun County for exhibit development, as well as generous funding from private partners.

Providing Architectural and Interior Design services, CPL is working in partnership with HGA Architects and Engineers (Architectural and Engineering Services), Balfour Beatty (Construction Manager), Roto Group (Design Services) and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Art and Architectural Review Board (AARB) and Division of Engineering and Buildings (DEB) to deliver this transformative asset.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.

About the Author: CPL

Founded in 1975, CPL is a 500+ person multi-disciplined architecture, engineering and planning firm offering inspiring design services and enriching communities in 25 cities across 8 states. CPL specializes in the Community, Healthcare, Higher Education, and K-12 Education market sectors – providing architectural, interior design, civil engineering, buildings and structural engineering, planning, landscape architecture and 3D/virtual design services to a host of public and private clients.