Ireland’s Office of Public Works (OPW) has unveiled plans to redevelop the former north wing of the National Concert Hall in Dublin into an interactive children’s science centre, with a planetarium at the heart of the multi-million Euro development.

Known as the Exploration Station, the OPW has set an opening date of late 2018 for the 8,500sq m (91,500sq ft) attraction, with more than 200 bespoke interactive exhibits on the cards. Additionally, a former building close to the concert hall will be refurbished and used for temporary exhibitions, with an underground tunnel connecting it to the new science centre.

Ciarán O’Connor, appointed state architect for OPW, is handling plans for the redevelopment, which include reorganising and refurbishing the venue, installing a 200-seat planetarium with a 15m (50ft) dome, and adding a front elevation to the concert hall. The building, which dates back to 1912, will be preserved as much as possible, as will the 19th-century buildings behind it.

Fundraising efforts have now begun following submission of a planning application, with the centre seeking €13m (US$14.1m, £10m) through public and private donations, foundations and corporations, and strategic partnerships. The state is covering costs associated with the redevelopment of the north wing building, which it owns.