Thirteen kilometres of light for science

An impressive 65 metres high, both modest and monumental: the new building on the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW, University of Applied Science and Arts Northwestern Switzerland) campus is a truly epic construction. From the outside, the building in Muttenz, Switzerland, is designed as an architectural cube. Inside, it’s fitted with almost sculptural stairways as well as two spectacular atria offering views of the sky. Such an extraordinary design required an equally extraordinary lighting solution: FREELINE by Zumtobel. 

In consultation with Zürich-based architects pool, and in collaboration with lighting planners at Reflexion AG and electrical planners at Pro Engineering AG, Zumtobel has developed a new grid luminaire. The FREELINE provides substantial, three-dimensional light that accentuates the architecture of the FHNW particularly well, but also serves as lighting for the workplaces. As a special project that has been developed in close collaboration with a customer, FREELINE is part of the limited-edition collection “the editions”.


Light accentuates the extraordinary architecture

“The architecture of the new building is extremely compelling and has a strong graphic quality,” says Thomas Mika, managing director of Reflexion AG, who is responsible for the lighting concept of the university building. “That’s why we decided to integrate all the lights into the structural components as much as we could.”


Alternating concrete ribs and luminaires

The shape of the new university building is defined by its concrete ribs, which run through the offices, seminar rooms, laboratories and corridors, from the third to the twelfth floor. Reflexion’s design included a linear luminaire between each of the ribs, resulting in very even light density and placement, and Zumtobel incorporating more than 13 kilometres of light into the FHNW architecture.


Light distribution: targeted vs. asymmetric

In accordance with the lighting planner’s specifications, the Austrian luminaire manufacturer didn’t use a simple, two-dimensional continuous row. Instead, they developed a substantial three-dimensional model – in two different variants. Model one is particularly suitable for offices and schools. Its micro-pyramidal optic (MPO) minimises direct glare as well as glare by reflection and directs light extremely precisely. Model two has a lens-shaped optic. This distributes light asymmetrically and accentuates the architecture of the building, using a wallwasher or table lighting, for example.


Pure elegance, simple installation

A particular feature of FREELINE is its pure elegance, with a streamlined aluminium u-profile and acrylic glass (PMMA) cover alone defining the design of the luminaire, while the control gear itself is hidden. Installing the luminaire is just as simple and elegant. The FREELINE is simply added to a low-voltage track, no specially trained personnel required. This benefited the university before the opening just as much as the large numbers of the FREELINE that Zumtobel provided within a very short development and production time.

The seamless interplay of architecture and lighting solution for the university building in Muttenz clearly demonstrates that innovative, new solutions are always the result of mutual collaboration. And the students, lecturers and visitors of the FHNW are certainly pleased!


Client: Hochbauamt Basel-Landschaft, Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz

Architect: pool Architekten

Lighting Designer: Reflexion AG

Electrical Consultant: Pro Engineering AG

Project year: 2019