Novu Campus - The Office of the Future
By the Zurich Airport, a new kind of workplace is taking shape. Novu Campus is a 4000 sqm coworking hub designed to redefine how and where we work. As the central lighting partner, GRAU contributes a comprehensive lighting concept that supports the emotional, social, and functional needs of the space. From vibrant zones of collaboration to calm corners of focus, the lighting design adapts to various work settings.
The installation includes a wide spectrum of our luminaires, such as the Team, Parrot, Fire, Falling Sun, Campfire, and Fireplace series. Each was selected to enhance atmosphere and promote wellbeing throughout the campus.
As the centerpiece of Novu Campus near Zurich Airport, Solaris marks one of GRAU’s most ambitious installations to date. Composed of 100 Sun luminaires, this sculptural composition brings light to life — glowing, shifting, and pulsing in a dynamic rhythm that transforms the surrounding space.
Solaris is more than an artwork. It is a social and sensory landmark within a workplace designed to rethink how we connect and create. Developed in close collaboration with Novu Office, it reflects a shared vision for emotional, human-centered spaces.
In dialogue with Sam Dumelin, co-founder of the Novu Campus
GRAU: The Novu Campus is an innovative workplace that is more than just an ordinary office. What makes the Novu Campus special, and what was important to you in planning the workspaces?
Sam Dumelin: For us, the Novu Campus is a prototype of the “workplace of the future.” We wanted to create a place that is not just an office, but also a space for encounters, learning, and experiences. It was important to us that work here is not conceived in a one-dimensional way: focus zones, event areas, coworking spaces, retreats, and even a gym are just as much a part of it as classic workstations. At the center is always the user experience – every setting should inspire while at the same time being intuitive to use.
GRAU: What role does lighting play at the Novu Campus, and what qualities should lighting in the office of the future fulfill?
Sam Dumelin: Light shapes mood, energy levels, and atmosphere more strongly than one might think at first glance. That’s why we wanted lighting that is not only functional but also has an emotional impact – creating a sense of daylight, being flexibly adjustable, and bringing spaces to life. The Solaris light sculpture, which we developed together with GRAU, is a good example of this: it is our own “sun indoors” and defines the quality of the environment. In the office of the future, lighting should therefore be adaptive, focused on well-being, and at the same time seamlessly integrated into the design.
GRAU: The development of the lighting concept emerged through close exchange between GRAU and Novu Office – how did you experience this collaboration and the process?
Sam Dumelin: Working with GRAU was a creative co-creation process for us. Together, we explored how to think beyond conventional office lighting. It wasn’t about installing standard solutions, but about creating a new relationship between architecture, furniture, and light. GRAU’s openness and spirit of experimentation made it possible for something to emerge that had never existed in this form before – and you can feel that every day in the life of the campus.
GRAU: The Novu Campus was planned by you with precisely curated settings. These settings bring architecture, furniture, and lighting into harmonious alignment. Entirely new workplace settings have been created – could you share some of your highlights with us?
Sam Dumelin: I find the settings that break boundaries particularly exciting: the Fireplace Meeting Room, for instance, creates a homely, intimate atmosphere through the combination of the circular sofa, lighting, and materiality – it uniquely supports confidential conversations and encounters.
The Immersion Room is completely lined with fabric; you can lean into the walls, and the light radiates from a central point. It creates the feeling of bathing in light – a completely new context for encounters.
The Campfire in the entrance area allows visitors to arrive in the campus. Here, people can gather as if around a campfire – a first stop for exchange before embarking together on a journey of discovery through the spaces. Solaris is the centerpiece of the campus, made from over 100 individual Sun luminaires with a specially developed vibe. The installation brings an “inner sun” into the space and has a lasting impact on the quality of stay.
