Paul Clemence shares images of the Renzo Piano-designed CERN Science Gateway Building in Geneva, Switzerland
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, has launched a new initiative known as Science Gateway. The building was designed in collaboration with architects Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Brodbeck Roulette Architects Associés (Geneva). It reflects the institution’s broader mission, which includes its values of sharing knowledge, technology and scientific inspiration with society. Science Gateway is envisioned as an innovative facility dedicated to science education and outreach aimed at fostering curiosity and passion for science among young people. Paul Clemence has photographed his CERN Science Gateway building in Geneva, Switzerland, in his latest photo series.
Located opposite the iconic Globe of Science and Innovation at CERN’s Meilin site in Geneva, Switzerland, Science Gateway spans 7,000 square meters. The design takes visitors on a multifaceted experience, offering a comprehensive journey into the mysteries of the natural world. Moreover, the main aim of this project is to involve all viewers of all ages and backgrounds.
Science Gateway is an educational center established to foster a deep appreciation of the beauty of science, fulfilling the organization’s primary purpose. In fact, this facility has an exhibition area that covers a wide range of scientific knowledge, from the gigantic scale of the structure and history of the universe to the microscopic world of elementary particles. These exhibits will reveal the mysteries of nature and also showcase CERN’s accelerators, experiments, and computing infrastructure. These interactive journeys educate the public about how scientists use the institution’s resources to explore the mysteries of the universe, and how CERN’s technological advances benefit society. The purpose is to help people understand.
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In line with its educational mission, Science Gateway will also feature special labs where children and students from elementary school to high school can conduct hands-on science experiments. Critical thinking, evidence-based evaluation, and the use of the scientific method are all goals of this immersive, experiential learning approach. Complementing these educational spaces is a substantial amphitheater intended to host scientific events and presentations, making knowledge more accessible to specialists and non-specialists alike.
The plan’s architectural design draws inspiration from CERN’s groundbreaking facilities, including the famous Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The architecture features elements such as suspended tubes, symbolizing the facility’s cutting-edge technology. The design concept revolves around four key elements.
The main pillar of the complex is an elevated structure called the “Bridge”, which provides access to several exhibition and educational areas. It spans the Route de Meyrin, which connects several parts of the facility and is suspended 6 meters above the ground. Inside Science Gateway there is a “solar power collector”. These three remarkable photovoltaic panels each span 40 x 40 meters and float above three different pavilions. The central pavilion containing the classrooms is the central vertical circulation point connecting the bridge to the ground. A 900-seat conference room, several separate spaces, or a smaller venue for science-related activities can all be accommodated in the North Pavilion. The South Pavilion is intended for experiential exhibits.
In addition, two raised tubes intended to house both long-term and temporary exhibits from CERN are named “tunnels.” These immersive environments allow visitors to immerse themselves in environments reminiscent of 100-meter-deep accelerator tunnels, where research reveals cutting-edge properties of matter. Finally, the new Science Gateway facility is connected to the existing structure through a natural force “forest.” The incorporation of 400 trees creates an engaging pedestrian experience, expressing the inextricable connection between scientific inquiry and the natural world.
Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) is an international architecture firm with offices in Paris and Genoa. In September, the Center for Arts Innovation selected Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano to design a new creative campus. The campus is located in the heart of downtown Boca Raton, Florida, and aims to be a global hub for creative excellence. Last May, the new building of Istanbul Modern’s RPBW, Turkiye’s first modern and contemporary art museum, was opened to the public. Finally, RPBW, in collaboration with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Health Initiative, announced the design of his three new hospitals in Greece. These three medical nodes are designed to strengthen hospital infrastructure and accessibility and quality of care in underserved areas.