ITER Headquarters
The ITER Headquarters building was completed in August 2012 and was extended by 35 metres two years later.
Nestled up against the northern corner of the ITER platform, the wing-shaped ITER Headquarters includes offices for 800 people, meeting rooms, a Council Chamber, an auditorium, a library, a canteen and a virtual reality room. A footbridge links the first floor of the Headquarters to a tunnel in the platform, which will provide direct pedestrian access to the Tokamak Control Room.
The innovative design of the ITER Headquarters (20,500 m²) was conceived by local architects Ricciotti and Bonhomme, who also designed the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur International School in Manosque that was completed in 2010. The construction of the ITER Headquarters was financed by the European Domestic Agency, F4E, and France as Host country.
All along the 165 metres of the Headquarters' northwest façade, vertical sunshades create a striking visual effect; these slats provide protection from the sun and create the impression of an undulating external veil, enhancing the building's integration into the landscape. Made of highly resistant fibre concrete, the sunshades also lend structural strength to the building.
Construction of the six-storey building (one basement level and five storeys) was completed in August 2012. On 17 January 2013, the building was inaugurated in the presence of the EU Commissioner for Energy, Günther H. Oettinger, and the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Geneviève Fioraso.
A 35-metre extension to the building was completed in 2014.
ITER Headquarters facts:
- Construction: August 2010-August 2012, plus extension completed in 2014
- Surface: 20,500m² (plus 3,500m² extension)
- Length: 180 metres (plus 35 m extension)
- Height: 20 metres
- Storeys: Basement + five storeys (6 levels)
- Capacity: Office space for about 800 people
Photo Gallery
A winter scene over Headquarters
2015-02-02 - The ITER Headquarters seen from the construction platform with, as a backdrop, the town of Manosque and the Alps.
Extension completed
2014-09-17 - The 35-metre extension to the Headquarters building is completed in September 2014. Following its official handover to the ITER Organization (on 30 September) work can now begin to carry out the necessary arrangements for move-in (furnishings, IT connections).
Continuity
2014-06-02 - As contruction progress has now reached level 5, the ITER Headquarters extension now stands in perfect continuity with the main building.
Headquarters extension rises
2014-04-10 - Workers progress in April on the fourth storey of the ITER Headquarters extension. When completed this summer, an extra 350 desks will be available to staff or contractors.
Going up!
2014-03-19 - From the roof of the main building, it's easy to follow the progress of the Headquarters extension in March.
Structure begins to rise
2014-02-24 - Work is underway on the first floor of the extension to Headquarters. At a rate of approximately one storey every three weeks, the five-storey structure will be framed out by late May.
Phase one of the Headquarters extension successfully completed
2014-02-12 - We can't see them yet, but soon the first-storey walls of the Headquarters extension will be visible from the platform. The concrete basemat for the 3,500 m² extension was poured on 30 January, marking the end of the foundation work phase. Work has begun on the walls; the complete exterior shell should be in place in June.
Coffee anyone?
2013-12-11 - As the sun rises over the ITER site, the first employees arrive at their offices.
Regular buses
2013-10-02 - Regular shuttle buses run between ITER Headquarters and two other ITER office buildings ... with increased frequency at lunch time.
From the worksite
2013-09-19 - The top three storeys of ITER Headquarters have a view of construction works.
The ITER Organization's new Headquarters building
2013-05-29 - The ITER Headquarters, photographed in May between two storm clouds. The northwest-facing cafeteria occupies the lower level of the building.
The unfinished side
2013-02-07 - Contrary to the other side of the building, this end was left unfinished. In 2013, work will begin to extend the building by 35 metres for an additional 350 desk spaces.
Welcome!
2013-02-04 - At the entrance of the new ITER Headquarters building, flags from the seven ITER Members and the yellow flag of the ITER Organization unfurl in the early February wind.
United colours of ITER
2013-02-04 - On a brisk day in February, the ITER Member flags stand proudly against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains.
Offices with a view
2013-02-01 - Across from the Assembly Building worksite, where reinforcement and concrete pouring continues, the top three stories of the new ITER Headquarters building rise over the platform. Photo: F4E
A building and its surroundings
2012-12-18 - The ITER Headquarters building was conceived as a kind of 'visual pedestal' for the Tokamak Building. Seen from this angle, it is also a 'visual pedestal' for the distant mountains ...
Looking toward the village of Vinon-sur-Verdon
2012-12-03 - The northern corner of the ITER site. The seat of the ITER Organization—the Headquarters building—sits below the elevated, 42-hectare platform where the scientific facilities will be installed. © Sylvain Couturier
The Council Chamber
2012-11-28 - In the completed Headquarters building, the ITER Council meets for the first time in the fifth-floor Council Chamber.
Last touches to the Council Chamber
2012-11-26 - Before the Eleventh ITER Council convenes from 28-29 November 2012, the Council Chamber undergoes a last round of waxing, window washing and equipment testing.
Filled to capacity
2012-11-23 - On 23 November the ITER community gathers to celebrate cuisine from Europe on the occasion of the third ITER Member Day. For the first time, it's standing room only in the ITER cafeteria ...
They are ready to welcome you!
2012-10-15 - An average of 90 people visit the ITER Headquarters every day. First stop: the Access Control building, pictured.
Sunrise on the platform
2012-10-08 - From the fifth floor of the building, it's possible to take in the entire 42-hectare construction site.
Hurry!
2012-10-05 - There's just about one month left to complete the Council Room, before the ITER Council invests the space to convene its eleventh meeting on 28-29 November 2012.
Through the revolving doors
2012-10-03 - Sun pours into the lobby of the Headquarters building on Moving Day in October.
"A view needs to be framed"
2012-10-03 - Looking out of one of the north-facing offices. According to architect Laurent Bonhomme, who paired with colleague Rudy Ricciotti from Marseille to design the office building, as with a painting or a photograph, "a view needs to be framed"—especially in an office setting where concentration is important.
Headquarters: completed
2012-10-01 - The undulating northwestern facade of the ITER Headquarters building faces the road.
One day, these patios will have trees
2012-09-21 - Glass predominates throughout the structure, on both the interior and exterior walls.
Please, take a seat
2012-09-21 - Furniture, carpeting and audiovisual equipment complete the 500-seat amphitheatre in September.
Take a tunnel to work?
2012-09-21 - From the second floor of the completed Headquarters building, scientists will have access to the Control Room of the ITER Tokamak.
Framing out the last office spaces
2012-08-20 - As the dog days of summer come to an end, the ITER Headquarters building prepares for Moving Day, scheduled in October.
Site Access
2012-06-26 - Staff will badge in here, at the Site Access Control Building, before following the path to ITER Headquarters.
An undulating veil
2012-06-26 - Above the ITER cafeteria, workers install the last vertical slats on the top four storeys of the building.
Northwest corner
2012-06-26 - One hundred and eighty metres long, the Headquarters building is situated on the northwest corner of the platform. The building will be ready for delivery in two months.
Natural light for the inner corridors
2012-06-21 - Light shafts are foreseen all along the 180 metres of the new ITER office building—some 3-storey (pictured), some 5-storey.
Meetings galore
2012-06-21 - The amphitheatre in the new building will provide ITER staff with the opportunity to assemble in one room—something that had been impossible in the temporary offices the team has occupied since 2006.
5 floors, 180 m long
2012-06-21 - The near-completed ITER Headquarters building is visible from the road between St-Paul-lez-Durance and Vinon-sur-Verson.
2012-06-21 - Following the installation of the last glass windows in November, the stage is set for the immense vertical slats that will adorn the northern facade of ITER Headquarters. Over 3,000 of these slats will create an external veil 14 m high and 180 m long.
The 500-seat amphitheatre
2012-06-21 - Only the furniture is missing in the 500-seat ITER amphitheatre. Staff will enter on the ground floor, through doors (upper right) situated just a step away from the lobby entrance.
Cafeteria nearly finished
2012-06-21 - The Headquarters cafeteria is situated at the back of the building, with a terrace overlooking a wooded parcel.
On a clear day, we see the mountains
2012-06-13 - Looking over the near-completed Headquarters building toward the pre-Alps.
Nestled up against the platform
2012-06-13 - The ITER Headquarters building sits below the platform; some of the upper offices will look out directly onto the ITER laboratory.
Ventilation now installed
2012-05-30 - On the roof of the Headquarters building, rooftop ventilation and air conditioning units have been installed. Photo: AIF AM
A space for discussion and decision-making
2012-05-30 - On the fifth floor of building, workers install an acoustic ceiling over the oval ITER Council boardroom. Photo: AIF AM
May in Provence
2012-04-20 - Spring blossoms in Provence and work on access roads continues in the vicinity of the Headquarters building. Photo: Engage-AP
Just a few months from completion
2012-04-20 - Late April: most of the work is happening on the inside now. Photo: Engage-AP
Looking north
2012-04-20 - ITER Headquarters seen from the top of a worksite crane on a sunny day in April. Photo: Engage-AP
On the inside
2012-04-10 - The superstructure of the Headquarters building was finished in September 2011. Since this date, workers have been equipping the interior of the building.
A tunnel to the control tower
2012-03-24 - Looking down onto the walkway, then tunnel, that leads to the area on the ITER platform where the Control Room will be located in a few years.
Eating out on a sunny day
2012-03-24 - The ITER canteen on the ground floor will have its own outside terrace.
Installation of vertical sunshades
2012-03-24 - Vertical sunshades are positioned by crane and bolted into place along the northwest façade of the ITER Headquarters building. When the work is finished, the shades will create 14-metre-tall vertical lines. Photo: AIF.AM
What will it be like cohabitating with the architectural slats?
2012-03-23 - The vertical slats seen from the inside ...
Filtering the Provençal sun, without blocking the view
2012-03-23 - The vertical slats seen from the outside ...
Rain or shine
2012-03-14 - Windows and a glass ceiling have been installed on the footbridge that links the ITER offices to the Control Room on the platform.
Late in the day
2012-03-14 - The late-day sun illuminates the western facade of the ITER Headquarters.
Fifth-floor view
2012-03-14 - Looking north from an office on the top floor.
Inside and out
2012-03-14 - On the inside, workers are installing some 12,000 square metres of dividing walls to shape out the offices. On the outside, work continues on the "exterior veil."
Work is completed on annex building
2012-03-08 - Located next to the ITER Headquarters, this building will house the ITER Medical Centre and research facility access checkpoint. Photo: AIF.AM
Northwest facade
2012-03-08 - Looking up from the basement level of the Headquarters building toward the ITER canteen and four storeys of office space. Photo: AIF.AM
Piece by piece
2012-03-06 - On the northern corner of the Headquarters building, these "balconies" have been installed to receive 14-metre-tall vertical slats. Photo: AIF
Spectacular progress
2012-02-29 - The top three levels of ITER Headquarters have front-row seats to the work on the platform. Beginning next fall, the building will be occupied.
Restaurant inside, deck outside
2012-02-03 - The terrace adjoining the ITER canteen is equipped with a wooden deck. Photo: AIF.AM
Footbridge to the experiments
2012-02-03 - This 33-metre metal footbridge will link ITER Headquarters to the scientific facilities on the platform, by way of an underground tunnel. Photo: AIF.AM
Heigh ho, heigh ho ...
2012-02-03 - Thirty-three metres in length, this glass-walled walkway gives access to subterranean technical rooms and the ITER Tokamak control centre. Photo: Engage-AP
By "rack" of six
2012-02-03 - One 3.2-metre "rack" of 6 sunshades is readied for installation. Four racks like these complete one vertical assembly. Photo: AIF.AM
The permanent ITER Headquarters building
2012-02-01 - Across a quiet platform, work continues on the inside of the future ITER Headquarters.
Seen from across the platform
2012-01-12 - On the top left of the building, work begins to install the exterior venetian blinds that will protect the offices from Provence's 300 days of strong sunlight per year.
The ITER canteen
2012-01-12 - Workers install the metal structure that will support a terrace accessible from the canteen.
The eleventh ITER Council will be held here in November 2012
2012-01-12 - The architect's vision of the future Council Room located on the top floor of ITER Headquarters. ©Ricciotti
Rooms with a view
2012-01-12 - The top floors of the Headquarters building will have an unparalleled view of the 39 buildings and facilities that make up the ITER fusion laboratory.
Under the round ceiling of the Council Room
2012-01-12 - On the top floor of the building, a circular Council Room for 80 is under construction.
Enter from this side
2012-01-12 - The future entrance to the ITER Headquarters on the northeast corner of the building.
Hot water, anyone?
2011-12-22 - Seventy-five metres of solar panels installed on the roof will furnish the cafeteria's needs in hot water.
Ground floor entry hall
2011-12-22 - The bright and spacious entry hall of the ITER Headquarters building faces the platform. Elevators heading from this area to the upper floors have already been installed.
In a few months
2011-12-22 - The architect's drawing of the ITER Headquarters entrance hall. ©Ricciotti
Light for the interior of the building
2011-12-22 - The installation of bay windows in the six interior patios was completed in December.
From the top floor looking down
2011-12-22 - Far below, the Site Access Control Building (not yet equipped with its "green" roof).
A cafeteria catering to 1,000
2011-12-22 - Occupying the first floor of the building, the cafeteria spans its entire width from east to west. The doors visible in this photograph exit to an outside terrace and stairs down to a grassy area.
Door frames and interior fittings
2011-12-06 - Door frames are installed for the platform-facing offices. Next step: interior walls. ©VPaul
An eagle-eye view
2011-12-01 - From the upper floors of the ITER Headquarters, the view over the platform is spectacular.
You'll make your first stop at ITER here
2011-11-29 - The 550m² Site Access Control Building will be equipped with a "green" roof to improve climate control.
Work completed on the windows
2011-11-29 - The last windows are installed along the curved south-eastern face of the building in December 2011.
Interior fittings underway
2011-11-29 - Looking out from one of the large, open-plan offices on the west side of the building.
The seat of the ITER project
2011-11-29 - ITER Headquarters, seen through the atypical openings of the Site Access Control Building.
Through the tunnel
2011-11-29 - A 33-metre-long metal footbridge will connect Headquarters to this tunnel in the platform, which will lead to the ITER Control Room.
As the crow flies
2011-11-15 - The Provençal village of Corbières (approximately 10 kilometres distant) seen from over the top of the Headquarters building.
Work on the roof
2011-11-14 - Blocs of insulation are installed on the roof of the ITER Headquarters building, some 20 metres above ground level. Photo: AIF
Exterior blinds
2011-11-05 - Along the eastern face of the building, the offices will be protected from the sun by exterior venetian blinds. Photo: AIF
Snow visible from the platform
2011-10-20 - Fresh October snow in the pre-Alps is visible from the ITER platform on a clear day. Approximately 250 km beyond the ITER Headquarters are the Mont Pelvoux (far left, 3,946 m) and the Barre des Écrins (left, 4,102 m).
Sliding 500 kilos 'effortlessly' into place
2011-10-12 - The 500-kilo glass window blocks are slid into position one after another following a patented installation system developed for the ITER Headquarters project. Up to 50 frames can be slid into place per day. Photo: AIF
Curves seen from above
2011-10-11 - From the roof, looking down toward the cafeteria terrace, it's easy to see how the architectural slats are mounted all along the building's northwest face.
Spacious
2011-10-11 - The architect's drawing helps us to imagine the Headquarters amphitheatre in one year's time. ©Ricciotti
Looking through the glass
2011-09-19 - Natural light predominates on the upper floors of the ITER Headquarters.
Frame completed
2011-09-19 - Work on the top floor of the ITER Headquarters nears completion in September 2011. The building will have a ground level plus five floors—a total of six levels in all.
Facing the platform
2011-09-14 - Seen from the sky, the offices on the southeast side of the ITER Headquarters building look toward the platform. Photo: Altivue/ITER Organization
Designed by local architects
2011-09-14 - The ITER Headquarters was designed by local architects Rudy Ricciotti and Laurent Bonhomme, in association with SNC-Lavalin and Cap-Ingelec. Construction began one year ago in October 2010. Photo: Altivue/ITER Organization
Seen from the north
2011-09-14 - The future ITER Headquarters, the Site Access Control Building (in the foreground) and the Medical Centre and research facility access building (behind the Headquarters) are seen from the north. Photo: Altivue/ITER Organization
Headquarters now visible from the platform
2011-08-11 - ITER Headquarters emerges from behind the Tokamak Pit, as work begins on the last storey of the building. Photo: F4E
The ITER Site Access Control Building
2011-08-08 - The interesting shapes of the ITER Site Access Control Building seen from the south side. The architectural motifs resemble those of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur International School situated in Manosque, conceived by the same architect. Photo: AIF
A large boat?
2011-08-08 - The ITER Headquarters, seen from the northeast, could almost look like a large boat. Photo: AIF
Atriums for the future Headquarters building
2011-08-08 - Two- to three-storey interior patios, planted with vegetation, will generate ventilation and let natural light into the ITER Headquarters. Photo: AIF
Light and shapes and shadow
2011-08-08 - The ITER Site Access Control Building from within. Photo: AIF
Progress!
2011-08-08 - Four storeys are now framed out and work begins on the fifth and last. Photo: AIF
The ITER Medical Centre
2011-08-08 - Close to the ITER Headquarters, this building will house the ITER Medical Centre and research facility access checkpoint. Photo: AIF July 2011
Large bay windows
2011-08-08 - The wide corridors and large bay windows of the second storey of ITER Headquarters, looking toward the parking lot. Photo: AIF
One floor to go
2011-08-08 - Standing on the fourth storey rooftop where work is about to begin on the last level of the ITER Headquarters. Photo: AIF
Shaping the concrete floor
2011-06-27 - Portable framework tables are used to accelerate the pouring of concrete floor on the third level of the ITER Headquarters. Twenty-four of these wooden framework tables are placed side by side, allowing nearly 200 square metres of floor space to be poured every day. Photo: AIF
Visible progress
2011-05-24 - Work on the ITER Headquarters progresses in May 2011. Photo: AIF
On its way
2011-05-24 - The shell of the ITER Headquarters—walls, floor, roof—is forecast to be completed in summer 2011. Photo: AIF
Future amphitheatre
2011-05-24 - The 500-person amphitheatre will be partly integrated under the building. Photo: AIF
Occupying the smallest "footprint" in the landscape
2011-05-24 - The long, tall ITER Headquarters building was conceived by the architects to occupy a limited amount of ground space, leaving most of the wooded parcel ... wooded. Photo: AIF
Asymmetric openings
2011-05-17 - The first walls and asymmetric openings of the Site Access Control Building.
Peeping in
2011-05-17 - Peeping into the future Site Access Control Building in April 2011. Photo: AIF
Free-form concrete
2011-05-16 - Architectonic concrete is used to give structural strength to the Site Access Control Building, whose creative geometric openings are airy and aesthetic. Photo: AIF
The Site Access Control Building
2011-05-15 - Located near the ITER Headquarters the Site Access Control Building, equipped with a 50-person conference room, will be accessible by the public. Photo: AIF
Ultra high performance fibrous concrete
2011-05-12 - The Headquarters worksite in May 2011. For thin constructions, ultra high performance fibrous concrete is used. Incorporating steel fibres, this self-compacting concrete has exceptional durability and extremely high compression resistance: between 130 and 250 MPa (Mega Pascal) in normal conditions. The high resistance is accompanied by a very high density and almost zero permeability of water, oxygen or chloride ion diffusion. Photo: AIF
26 different "formulas"
2011-05-11 - Twenty-six different types of concrete will be used for the construction of the ITER Headquarters—26 different "formulas" depending final use (posts, beams, floors, external walls ...) and taking into account the different resistance levels, colours, plasticity, setting speeds, and aggregate size. Photo: AIF
Tower cranes
2011-05-11 - A 60-metre crane and a 42-metre crane hard at work on the walls of the future ITER Headquarters in May 2011. Photo: AIF
The southeast facade faces the platform
2011-05-05 - To help regulate the temperature inside the building, the southeast facade will be equipped with Venetian blinds to adjust the amount of incoming light room by room. Photo: AIF
ITER's window to the project
2011-04-01 - Facing the main entrance to the ITER site, the ITER Headquarters building will be the window to the ITER project for the world. Photo: Altivue/AIF
Taking shape
2011-03-10 - Workers position pre-formed walls on the second floor of the ITER Headquarters. Photo: AIF
The weather helps!
2011-03-10 - Clement weather allows work on the ITER Headquarters to progress rapidly. Photo: AIF
Six acres of wooded land
2011-03-10 - The Headquarters building is situated below the ITER platform on six acres of wooded land to the northeast. Photo: AIF
Moving up, floor by floor
2011-03-10 - Work advances in March 2011 on the future ITER Headquarters. Photo: AIF
The walls of ITER Headquarters emerge
2011-03-10 - The shell of the ITER Headquarters will require 700 tons of steel and approximately 10 000 m3 of concrete. Photo: AIF
Shaped like the wings of a bird
2011-03-10 - The wing-shaped ITER Headquarters emerges against the backdrop of southern France. Photo: AIF
Workforce increasing
2011-03-10 - 40 people were involved in the construction of the first stage of the ITER Headquarters (shell). This number will progressively increase to 220 between April and September 2011. Photo: AIF
Steel reinforcement
2011-03-10 - Part of the 700 tons of steel required to reinforce the concrete poured for the ITER Headquarters. Photo: AIF
The future ITER Headquarters
2010-12-13 - In addition to the 20,500 square-metre ITER Headquarters, a small building is planned to welcome the public and a second to manage site access and house medical services. Photo: AIF
180 metres in length
2010-12-09 - The 180 metre-long, five-storey ITER Headquarters will provide office space for about 500 employees, a cafeteria, an amphitheatre with 500 seats, and a boardroom. Photo: AIF
Heavy works
2010-12-05 - The construction of the ITER Headquarters is financed by the European Domestic Agency, F4E, and France as Host country. Photo: AIF
Footbridge to the Control Room
2010-12-01 - A footbridge will link the first floor of the Headquarters to the ITER Control Room which will be located one level below the project construction platform. The thirty-metre-long footbridge will become a tunnel when it reaches the platform, providing direct pedestrian access to the research facilities. Photo: Altivue/AIF
Work on the first floor begins
2010-10-15 - Work begins on the first floor of the ITER Headquarters building in October 2010 and progresses quickly at the rate of twelve linear metres per day. Photo: AIF
Foundation work for the ITER Headquarters
2010-10-02 - Work on the foundations of the ITER Headquarters building is launched in October 2010. The tall building will be solidly anchored five metres deep in the ground. Photo: AIF
Architect's view #4
2010-09-15 - Work begins in September 2010 on the future ITER Headquarters, which will be situated on a six-hectare wooded parcel to the west of the ITER platform. Photo: Ricciotti
ITER Headquarters will be situated here, close to—but down from—the ITER platform
2010-09-15 - Just past the trees, nestled up against the bend in the ITER platform, a patch of land has been cleared for the construction of the permanent ITER Headquarters. Photo: Altivue/AIF
Architect's view #1
2010-09-15 - Two- to three-storey interior patios—spaced evenly along the central walkways of the building and planted with vegetation—will generate ventilation, let in natural light, and provide a convivial setting for common areas. Photo: Ricciotti
Architect's view #3
2010-09-15 - "Undulating vertical slats." This is the way the architect describes the most prominent visual feature of the Headquarters building. These sunshades will provide protection from the sun on the northwest facade of the building and reduce the need for cooling within. Made of highly resistant fibre concrete, the 3,104 sunshades will also provide structural strength. Photo: Ricciotti
Architect's view #5
2010-09-15 - An artist's view of the future ITER Headquarters. Sanitary water for the building will be heated by approximately 80 square metres of solar panels. Photo: Ricciotti
Architect's View #2
2010-09-15 - The underground auditorium of the ITER Headquarters will have a "green roof"—a natural way to regulate the temperature in the building. Photo: Ricciotti