Darwin centres opens under watch of Imperial alumnus

The new Darwin Centre at London's Natural History Museum has opened after being overseen throughout its development by Museum Director and Imperial alumnus Michael Dixon.

The new Darwin Centre at London's Natural History Museum has opened after being overseen throughout its development by Museum Director and Imperial alumnus Michael Dixon.

Speaking to The Times, Dr Dixon commented: “We are as much an important scientific-research institute as a place of public education and entertainment. Our vision is to advance knowledge about the natural world to inspire better care of the planet. It is about making a difference – making people who visit here feel differently about our planet and natural resources.”

The £78 million project will make a significant architectural impact to South Kensington, as the eight story concrete cocoon which houses it is one of the most eye-catching buildings in the area. The building doubles the size of the Museum’s laboratory space, and includes glass-fronted labs linked to the public via intercom, to allow visitors to interact with scientists at work. The top three stories of the new centre are dedicated to three new galleries, which house some of the oldest and most important objects in the museum’s collection, including specimens brought back by Charles Darwin from the voyage of the Beagle.

Dr Dixon has been the Director of the Natural History Museum for over four years, joining the museum from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), where he worked as Director General. While at the ZSL, he spearheaded the society’s involvement in a major new £80 million aquarium at Silvertown Quays in London Docklands, and created plans for the redevelopment of London and Whipsnade Zoos. Dr Dixon studied Zoology at Imperial, before embarking on postgraduate work at the University of York.