CERN has been changing: see for yourself

Every year, the European Heritage Days celebrate architectural heritage across Europe. Here at CERN, our own heritage is guiding how we renovate and modernise the campus, combining a bold vision with respect for the existing architecture.

We think it's time that we celebrate just how much has changed on site since the CERN Masterplan 2040 was published in 2021. This strategic document gives a framework for infrastructure development, mobility, environment and landscaping, and in the past few years the Site and Civil Engineering (SCE) department has been making this plan a reality. Results are visible across our campus: new buildings and outdoor spaces, renovated landmarks and daily improvements for those who work at and visit CERN.

Designing rational consolidation and renovation: from the refurbishment of Restaurant 1 and the CERN Library to the ongoing modernisation of the "Main Building" (Building 60), our approach has shifted from piecemeal repairs to whole-building renovations. These projects are guided by the principles of safety and sustainability, alongside the intention of improving working conditions, while often cutting energy usage by up to 80%.

Constructing a sustainable future: as the campus evolves, new needs can require new builds, for example the Prévessin Data Centre. Following Science Gateway, the next two low-carbon buildings will be Building 777 in Prévessin (now under construction) and Building 140 in Meyrin (in its final design phase). They represent an exciting opportunity to redefine space management and allow the retirement of ageing barracks and buildings.

Advancing mobility initiatives: as CERN's Mobility Week has showcased, bike-sharing, shuttle improvements, car-sharing and more welcoming pedestrian routes are steadily reshaping how we move around CERN. The Masterplan aims to make soft mobility the more popular choice for short journeys.

Protecting our environment: from biodiversity corridors to new rainwater retention basins, from careful landscaping to energy reuse strategies, CERN is committed to environmentally responsible research. This is essential to ensure that the Laboratory develops in harmony with its surroundings.

Campus Development Day: see for yourself

On 13 October 2025, SCE invites the CERN community to a Campus Development Day: a chance to see first-hand how the Masterplan is taking shape.

From today, you can register for guided tours of ongoing renovations, including Buildings 36, 52, 60 and 73. Step inside newly completed spaces, such as Buildings 184, 775, 776 and 3195, and talk directly with the engineers and architects who designed and built them, as well as the colleagues who use them.

An exhibition in the Main Building will showcase projects under development, including Buildings 777 and 140, as well as the new superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) facility and the full renovation of the main mechanical workshop in Building 100, with posters, models and SCE experts ready to explain what's next.

Campus Development Day is an opportunity to celebrate our shared workplace, to understand the decisions behind it and to reflect on how the campus is evolving to support both science and sustainability.

A meaningful transformation

CERN has always been a place of bold ideas and ambitious experiments. In comparison, renovating a building or planting a hedgerow may seem modest. But together, these changes make a difference: safer offices, more welcoming social spaces, a reduced environmental footprint and a campus that reflects the excellence of the science within, in spaces where thousands of people meet, work and share their ideas.

We hope you will join us on 13 October to see this transformation for yourself.