Double Deck: a symbolic groundbreaking marks a major milestone on the EPFL campus
The Double Deck project, which is reshaping the Esplanade and the Coupole at the heart of the EPFL campus, reached a decisive milestone in March 2026 with its symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. The event comes as the concrete works, launched in January 2026, already demonstrate the tangible progress of the future teaching hub.
A large-scale project to meet academic needs
In response to the continued growth in student numbers and the evolution of teaching practices, EPFL is developing an innovative architectural ensemble featuring:
- 1,500 new modular lecture-hall seats to meet the increasing demand for large teaching spaces
- 600 workstations integrated into flexible environments designed for collaborative work and new learning methods
- the full renovation of the Coupole, modernized and energy-optimized
A new topography for the campus
The project is designed to follow the natural slope of the Esplanade:
- The new building will rise only slightly above the existing level, with a green roof extending the public space toward the south
- The complex will include a large garden-plaza-belvedere opening onto the Alps
- Two superimposed levels will create additional pedestrian and cycling paths, improving circulation across the campus
A transformation at the heart of EPFL
Located in a strategic and busy area, the site requires precise technical and organizational coordination—an effort successfully managed during the demolition phase completed in autumn 2025.
