The architect behind the redevelopment of New York’s World Trade Center has designed the world-renowned Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics new building.

Work is due to begin next month and the building is expected to be completed by autumn 2016.

Durham has received two major donations totalling nearly £5m towards the new centre, which will be located next to the Physics department on South Road

The Ogden Centre houses integrated research into the fundamental properties of the universe from the smallest scales of elementary particles to the largest scales of the universe as a whole.

Professor Tom Ward, pro-vice-chancellor (education) at Durham University, said: “The university is excited to be embarking upon the next phase of this project to develop an iconic new building that reflects the high international standing of the Institute for Computational Cosmology and the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology.

“The new centre will enable both institutes to remain at the forefront of research as they seek to advance our understanding of particle physics and the structure and evolution of the universe.”

The new building has been made necessary by the centre’s rapid growth and academic success, and will enable it to maintain its leading global position in the decades ahead.

Arup is the engineer on the project with Summers Inman on board as cost consultant.