Construction is well underway at the new US$98m (£60.2m) Utah Museum of Natural History in Salt Lake City, US.

Designed by the Polshek Partnership, the museum's new home will be able to house 10 per cent of its 1.2 million-piece collection, compared to the 1 per cent the current building can display.

The museum will boast nine themed galleries, which will focus on fossils, animals, plants, minerals and archaeological artefacts.

The project has received funding from various sources, including the Utah State Legislature (US$25m), Kennecott Utah Copper (US$15m) and the Delores Dore Eccles Foundation (US$5m).

When the museum opens in late 2011, it will be known as the Utah Museum of Natural History at the Rio Tinto Center.