TOKAMAK
The Divertor Tokamak Test Facility (DTT) is one of Europe’s most advanced centers for nuclear fusion research.
Located within the ENEA campus in Frascati, the project embodies Italy’s contribution to the future of clean energy.
The intervention includes the Tokamak Hall Building, which houses the experimental reactor, and a system of auxiliary buildings for laboratories, power systems, cooling, and diagnostics.
The challenge was to integrate complex technological functions into an architectural whole that reflects precision, innovation, and sustainability, while responding to the spatial and environmental qualities of the site.
The Concept
The design is guided by clarity and structural logic.
The Tokamak Hall becomes the symbolic and functional core — a monumental, precisely engineered space expressing the scientific purpose it contains.
Material honesty defines the concept: concrete, steel, and light combine to form a pure, robust architecture.
The project embraces digital innovation through BIM methodology, ensuring integrated coordination among disciplines and control throughout the life cycle.
Form and technology merge into a single architectural language — essential, rigorous, and timeless.
The Project
The Tokamak Hall Building
A monolithic volume of 39 × 39 meters and 32 meters high, the Hall is defined by reinforced concrete walls over 2 meters thick, ensuring structural integrity and radiation shielding.
A system of seismic isolators and an independent foundation protect the Tokamak from vibration.
The post-tensioned roof slab, spanning 35 meters, acts as a “suspended sheet”, both structurally expressive and protective.
Inside, spatial order and technical precision prevail, balancing monumental scale with human functionality.
The Auxiliary Buildings
Around the Hall, a group of specialized structures — laboratories, substations, and control centers — form a coherent technological landscape.
Prefabricated elements with wet joints and modular geometry ensure construction speed and continuity.
Green roofs and high-performance façades integrate sustainability and visual harmony across the site.
Sustainability and Bioclimatic Design
The project exceeds the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) and follows the DNSH principle.
Key measures include:
- Use of EPD-certified materials;
- Recycling and reuse of excavated soils;
- Rainwater recovery, efficient HVAC systems, and green roofs reducing heat-island effects;
- Lifecycle-oriented design for disassembly and material recovery.
A bioclimatic approach ensures optimal daylight, energy efficiency, and comfort, aligning architecture with environmental performance.
Digital Design and Construction
Full BIM integration supports every stage — from concept to site execution.
Platforms such as Autodesk Construction Cloud, Dalux, and 3DEXPERIENCE enable real-time coordination, 4D simulations, and laser scanning for quality control.
The construction process becomes an intelligent, data-driven system of precision and transparency.
The Result
The DTT complex stands as a synthesis of architecture, science, and sustainability —
a place where space, structure, and technology merge to support the future of energy research.
Through rigorous design and digital innovation, the project sets a benchmark for sustainable research architecture in Europe.
