First Timber Beam Ceremony Marks Key Milestone for CERN’s Building 777

On Friday 24^th April 2026, CERN celebrated a major milestone in the construction of Building 777 on the Prévessin site with the First Timber Beam Ceremony.

While construction projects traditionally mark the laying of a foundation stone, Building 777 reflects a different approach. In line with its timber structure and strong environmental ambitions, the project reached a symbolic moment with the installation of its first timber beam: “la première poutre”.

The ceremony was opened by Mar Capeáns, CERN’s Director of Site Operations, and brought together key stakeholders, including Bernard Chauvet, Mayor of Prévessin-Moëns, as well as representatives from the design team, contractor, and CERN community.

During the ceremony, speakers including Mar Capeáns, Bernard Chauvet, and project architect Søren Øllgaard highlighted the importance of timber as a sustainable construction material. Its use in CERN’s first timber office building reflects a commitment to combining cutting-edge scientific infrastructure with responsible environmental practices.

The symbolic placement of the first timber element marked the transition from groundwork to the visible emergence of the building structure, bringing the project one step closer to reality.

Building 777 is set to become a central hub for the Prévessin site, accommodating offices, a restaurant, laboratories, and workshops. Designed as a collaborative and welcoming space, it aims to foster interaction, support innovation, and serve as a vibrant social focal point for the CERN community.

As construction progresses, this milestone represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the site—one that places sustainability, functionality, and community at its core.

For more information about the B777 project, visit our website: https://building777.web.cern.ch/

For regular updates on how the construction is progressing, visit the news page: https://building777.web.cern.ch/news/