The earth around the small, nondescript electrical substation building at the westernmost edge of the site received “reinforced” grass. This is the first instalment of the lawn that will come to characterise the ESS grounds. Meanwhile, the foundational layering of membranes, topfill and soil for the Accelerator’s huge Green roof (G01, G02) was also completed, meaning that planting of grass seeds begins this week. It will not be long before the site makes a sudden shift in tone from brown to green.
The short-range instrument hall (D01) went from brown to grey last week as one half of the half-metre concrete bottom slab was cast. Next door, the steel reinforcement of the Active Cells area continues to intensify to awe-inspiring density. In the accelerator area, the outside areas near the Cryo-Compressor (G04) and Gallery (G02) buildings were prepared for the arrival of nitrogen tanks. The RF systems mockup in Stub 25 is now undergoing testing in the tunnel, and venting of the Coldbox is scheduled for this week. This is a process of emptying the vessel of nitrogen and “filling” it with vacuum.
