ESS will be a large compound including industrial and laboratory buildings, office space, and guest accommodation facilities. The ESS site will be an attractive and environmentally sustainable one, a world-class research centre with an elegant architectural design in tune with the surrounding landscape. Within this effort, also lies the ambiton to provide a pleasing workplace with attractive surroundings for employees and guest scientists.

Another central goal of the project is to create a seamless design that allows an easy flow of people and materials throughout the compound. It should incorporate good transportation and access points, optimising the use of each building's internal space.

The ESS Conventional Facilities Division manages the design and construction of ESS facilities. The mission of the Conventional Facilities Division is to cost-effectively create an ESS campus, including buildings, landscape, and other infrastructure, that is attractive, sustainable, and functional. Conventional Facilities is also responsible for the mechanical and electrical services necessary for the proper functioning of the facility.