EPFL has announced its plans to construct the Advanced Science Building, a state-of-the-art facility designed to facilitate high-precision research in fields like quantum physics, nanotechnology, biology, chemistry, and materials science.
EPFL has announced the construction of the Advanced Science Building (ASB), a cutting-edge facility to support high-precision research. This ambitious seven-story building, with two floors underground, will be situated on the site of the Colladon parking lot, with construction slated to begin in 2026. Designed by KAAN Architecten from Rotterdam and Celnikier & Grabli Architectes from Paris, the ASB will address the pressing need to isolate sensitive equipment from external disturbances that could compromise research outcomes.
The ASB’s purpose is to provide an environment free from external interference such as electromagnetic disturbances, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations. “To remain at the forefront of R&D, EPFL needs a facility that can meet scientists’ current and future experimental requirements,” stated Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, EPFL’s president-delegate and the ASB project lead.
One of the ASB’s defining features is a central “silo,” detached from the rest of the building and mounted on springs to minimize vibrations. This silo will house HVAC and other equipment to prevent noise and mechanical disturbances from affecting the labs. The labs and corridors will be organized in layers surrounding the central silo, effectively insulating the experimental areas. According to architects Jacob Celnikier and Marco Lanna, this innovative design approach enables optimal research conditions by isolating even the minutest vibrations, meeting stringent requirements of under a tenth of a micron per second for some labs.
A crucial hub for advancing science
The ASB will house up to 600 researchers from 26 groups and is part of EPFL’s strategic goal to strengthen its position as a global leader in basic research. Drawing inspiration from similar facilities worldwide, EPFL Associate Vice President of Research Ambrogio Fasoli noted that the ASB’s specifications were influenced by lessons from elite R&D centers globally.
EPFL also prioritizes sustainability in the ASB’s design. The building aims for DGNB certification from the Swiss Sustainable Building Council, with materials such as recycled concrete and wood as prominent components. The CHF 200 million project will enter public consultation in 2025, with a target completion date in 2029. Once operational, the ASB will serve as a crucial hub for researchers, solidifying EPFL’s commitment to advancing science in a meticulously controlled environment.
