CERN B777 | Henning Larsen

Henning Larsen’s design is the winning proposal in an international design competition. Crafting a 'nature campus' identity for CERN’s Prévessin Campus on the French side of the France-Switzerland border, the circular B777 building stands at the edge of the forest and park, inviting scientists and guests to the area. 

Center of existence

The circular design, with a sheltered courtyard at its heart, seamlessly connects forest, park and plaza. Office, laboratory, and workshop space are combined within the open timber building, offering constant connection to nature.

Henning Larsen’s design echoes CERN’s original mission to unite scientists in the collective pursuit of knowledge. Founded in 1954, 12 European countries came together to establish the largest research facility for particle physics. Today, CERN remains at the epicenter of scientific innovation, home to the world’s largest and most complex research instruments, notably the powerful particle accelerator The Large Hadron Collider.

Public plaza

A quadruple height public atrium featuring informal working and lounge areas and connecting bridges embodies the place where knowledge can be exchanged in a serendipitous way. With no dead ends, the large, flexible floor plans define community zones within the building, each with dedicated outdoor space and lounge areas. Inside, the workspaces will have a tactile and natural feel.

Drawing inspiration from the protected plazas at the heart of nearby Alpine villages, the central courtyard of the building extends the outdoor comfort season, intentionally designed to remain open and permeable, acting as a social hub. This space serves as an extension of the office and indoor activities, seamlessly connecting lab zones to informal meeting areas surrounded by greenery and offices in the inner circle enjoy views into nature. This central hub acts as the gateway to the restaurant, featuring outdoor seating and a kitchen garden with aromatic plants. During summertime, the leaves provide shade, in winter, the canteen terrace 

welcomes the rays of the sun, and in rainy weather, the passage functions as a covered space.

Connected landscapes

Merging the surrounding landscape creates an extended biodiversity corridor, encouraging life to thrive, 'slow' paths and new routes around the campus will encourage people to connect with nature.

The landscape surrounding the building will take on a more urban character featuring islands of wild grass inspired by the Jura mountains and space for bike paths, bike parking, and charging stations.

Reducing embodied carbon, as well as operational carbon, is prioritized throughout the design, evaluating the effect the building will have on the environment through life-cycle assessments. To accommodate the possibility of reusing and recycling the structural materials, the structure is designed for disassembly by using simple, demountable and mechanical connections.

The three-dimensional facade maximizes daylight and natural views whilst also creating self-shade to prevent solar radiation, resulting in lower energy consumption from cooling.

About CERN B777 

Project: Research campus, offices and restaurant

Location: Prévessin-Moëns, France

Expected completion date: 2027

Size: 13,000 sq ft

Client: CERN

Architect: Henning Larsen

Local Architect: Brière Architectes

Landscape Architect: Henning Larsen

Engineers: Ramboll, Artelia Group

Renders: Vivid Vision