CERN B777: Pioneering Sustainable Innovation in Prévessin Campus

Ramboll, in collaboration with Henning Larsen, Artelia, and Briere Architects, has been selected to provide multidisciplinary engineering services for CERN’s new Building 777 (B777) at the Prévessin campus in France. The facility will integrate office, laboratory, restaurant, and meeting centre space across four stories, in an open timber structure that encompasses 11,600 square meters and prioritizes community, collaboration, and well-being in a low-carbon design.

B777 is set to become a central feature of the Prévessin campus, marking a significant advancement in the site's development and serving as a model of sustainable construction. The project seeks to enhance the campus's identity, propelling it toward becoming the 'Nature Campus Prévessin'. Key principles guiding this vision include fostering biodiversity by merging the surrounding landscape, managing resources through a circular economy framework, achieving net-zero carbon emissions, and crafting a resilient and vibrant workspace.

The architectural concept for B777 is driven by the ambition to create an emblematic and forward-looking building. Key design decisions are influenced by the goal of integrating the structure harmoniously with the adjacent forested landscape, leveraging timber as the primary construction material to reduce the carbon footprint. The building features a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) deck, supported by glue-laminated timber (GLT) beams and columns, with a lateral stability system made up of concrete core walls. An innovative roof truss system and integrated lift cores enhance the stability of the spacious atrium.

The design of B777 emphasizes sustainability and cutting-edge technology, guided by the principles of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA). The structure features repeated elements such as CLT decks and GLT beams, with vertical columns designed in various materials, all integrated through a uniform connection system. The use of digital tools, such as Revit, enhances coordination and metric analysis, contributing to broader digital scalability in construction practices and supporting sustainable development goals.

A key aspect of B777 is its reduced environmental footprint. This encompasses multiple strategies, including minimizing embodied and operational carbon emissions using biobased materials like timber that also sequester carbon. The design focuses on passive measures and efficient systems to limit service demand, alongside implementing a high-performance façade to manage internal climate while allowing for abundant natural light. Water conservation is managed through low-flow outlets and rainwater recycling systems. Additionally, the use of natural interior materials and accessible outdoor spaces foster a continuous connection with nature for employees, aligning with low-carbon objectives.