London’s Natural History Museum has launched a Planning and Design Consultancy (PDC) to assist organisations throughout the world in the development of natural science attractions, exhibitions and visitor destinations.

Part of the Natural History Museum Trading Company, the team has already worked on a number of projects before PDC was officially launched, the most recent being the Restless Planet dinosaur-themed attraction being developed on behalf of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group and situated within the City of Arabia in Dubailand.

The 50,000sq m (540,000sq ft) destination, designed to be a blend of theme park and educational experiences, aims to bring to life the earth as it was millions of years ago with animatronic dinosaurs created by Tokyo-based Kokoro within an 80m high translucent dome designed by Jack Rouse Associates. Further design work has been undertaken by rh architects (formerly known as Furneaux Stewart Design and Communications). The park is scheduled to open in 2009.

“After many years of working with clients around the world to offer exhibitions developed by the Natural History Museum, I am delighted that we are able to expand our work to include a range of consulting services,” said Audrey O’Connell, head of PDC.

“Tapping into our many years of engaging visitors with public programming, operating a major London visitor destination welcoming 3.2 million visitors annually, and generating income to support our science and our programmes, we can offer expert advice.”

The new division’s key services will include interpretive planning, exhibit and gallery development, strategic and business planning, facilities assessment, feasibility studies, market research and planning, project management and public and schools programming. Details: www.nhm.ac.uk or www.cityofarabiame.com