London's cultural landmark the British Museum has broken ground on its new multi-million pound capital project, the World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre (WCEC).

Designed by Rogers, Stirk, Harbour + Partners (RSHP) and constructed by Mace, the new WCEC is one of the largest redevelopment projects in the museum's 260 year history.

The aim of the project is to safeguard and enhance collections, while enabling the museum to store, conserve, study and display collections for the future.

Located in the north-west corner of the museum's Bloomsbury estate, the centre will provide a new public exhibitions gallery, logistics hub, labs and studios, stores for the collection, as well as facilities to support an extensive UK and international loan programme.

The exhibitions gallery is due to open in early March 2014 with a new exhibition devoted to the Vikings. The conservation studios, science laboratories, loan hubs and stores will be fitted out and occupied by summer 2014.

Designers RSHP said the design will be sensitive to the museum's existing architecture, connecting to the historic building whilst maintaining its own identity.

British Museum director Neil MacGregor said: “I am delighted that the WCEC has reached this exciting stage of construction.It will provide world class facilities that will allow the British Museum to ensure the care and understanding of its collections for future generations.

“The WCEC represents a vitally important combination of a purpose-built exhibition gallery and a celebration of the amazing behind-the-scenes