As tipped by Enquirer the firm will deliver a refurbishment and new build work programme at the Museum site which was first opened in 1970 and now receives well in excess of a quarter of a million visitors annually.
Gilbert-Ash is working closely with interdisciplinary designers at BDP on the project following a previous collaboration on the £165m Victoria Square development in Belfast.
To date, work has begun to strip out the existing interior in preparation for the re-fit and the new-build portion of the project.
The refurbishment will open up and extend the existing building, making it much more accessible and improving the flow of visitors around the exhibits.
New atrium running through main building
Extra exhibition space will allow the display of many previously unseen items. Work will include a new two storey extension and the changes will provide dedicated education facilities for the first time.
Ray Hutchinson, Managing Director of Gilbert-Ash said the firm was aiming for practical completion in early 2016 for the base build and Q3 2016 for the exhibition fit out.