A groundbreaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction work on Miami Science Museum's (MSM) new US$275m (£175.3m, EUR209.9m) home in Florida, US.

The 250,000sq ft (23,226sq m) Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science is due to open in 2015 and has been designed by international architectural firm, Grimshaw Architects.

A major 600,000 gallon (2.3 million l) aquarium; a full-dome 3D planetarium; and hands-on exhibits are planned as part of the attraction, along with two extra wings of exhibition space.

MSM said its new facility will also act as a "demonstration of ecological and sustainability principles" and will generate energy from renewable sources such as the sun and wind.

Among the project's funders is the Knight Foundation, which provided a US$10m (£6.4m, EUR7.6m) challenge grant in January in a bid to help leverage in further support.

The complex will be an anchor of the city's new 29-acre (11.7-hectare) Museum Park along with a new Miami Art Museum, with both facilities overlooking Biscayne Bay.

A MSM spokesperson said: "This park, a catalyst for the transformation of the downtown district, is central to the efforts to strengthen greater Miami's momentum as an emerging global capital."

"A vibrant mix of green space and cultural offerings, in addition to the landmark new facilities for Miami Science Museum, the park will also be the future home of the Miami Art Museum."

Details: www.miamisci.org