Novartis Campus

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
1
Hi there,

I am an architect based in NY and will be travelling to Basel next week. Part of the reason is to see the Novartis campus since it has buildings from Gehry and Sanaa, however I heard it is actually off limits unless you work for Novartis?

Is that true? Any suggestions or tipps on how to make it on campus?

Thanks in advance,

Kelly

2
Write to them explaining your situation. They'll get someone to show you round.

Novartis International AG

CH-4002 Basel

Switzerland

Tel: +41 61 324 11 11

Fax: +41 61 324 80 01

3
Unless something is changed, you can see the outside of the Ghery building at Novartis (can't miss it if you're in that area), and if you follow the advice above, hopefully you can see the inside, too.

I'm sure you know, but don't forget the nearby Vitra in Germany.

4
Hi, hubby works at novartis and says even if you do get in you will not get inside the "working" offices and there is also no photography allowed on campus.

5

Due to threats from animal rights groups, admission is limited to those internal employee contacts. However, there are exceptions. Expect to jump through a few hoops to ensure that you are not affiliated with any extremist groups.

There is a half-day tour that can be reserved through an internal VIP services for a fee, cost is about CHF 250.-. I reserved it myself once but was consulting with Novartis at the time. It provides a tour of the architecture specifically. As previously discussed, no photographs are allowed, no access to production or lab buildings. High security.

6
Look out for family day at Novartis. Sadly, you've just missed it as it was a couple of weeks ago. It's a bi-annual event. Employees are given tickets to an open day where they have bands and food stands scattered around the campus. The buildings are open and you can just walk in and out of them.

The campus is incredible, everything has been designed right down to the smallest details, from desks, chairs (I have never seen so many Eames chairs) to PC cases.

Find a friend of a friend who works there, you can go for lunch at one of the many restaurants. Or wait two years for the open day :-)

I was lucky to get some nice pics there...

7
Some more for you...

8
Thanks All!

Traubert, I am sooooooooo jealous!

I called but you are right, it's closed to public. too bad!

9
Did you tell them you are an architect and were interested in the building it self?

My building is supposed to be very interesting for architects because of it's structure and we have sometimes architect students coming for a look. I'm in pharma too, the enemy company of Novartis so I would imagine they have some sort of this going on too?

10
Kelly

Please send me a PM