NOVALIS 2029 – Forward Thinking

On January 23rd, in Zurich, ARX launched Novalis 2029. This visionary novel by Michael Schindhelm reimagines the role of infrastructure in driving innovation, sustainability, and resilience. Blending speculative fiction with expert insights, Novalis 2029 challenges conventional perspectives, illustrating how engineering and design can catalyze change.

Narrated by Maren, an artist working for the engineering firm Novalis in the year 2029, the book explores repurposing obsolete sites, building smart cities, and refining geoengineering. It underscores the critical need to integrate technology with nature to create solutions for tomorrow’s world.

The Zurich launch focused on developing sustainable infrastructure in Switzerland and Europe, including prioritizing innovation while overcoming legacy systems and regulatory complexity. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Michael Schindhelm for moderating the panel, and to our esteemed panelists:
 

• Janina Zerbe (KHR)
• Cristina Pagani (ARX)
• Guido Biaggio (USTRA)
• Philipp Urech (ETHZ)
   

This roundtable marked the first of four ARX discussions on the transformative potential of infrastructure. Upcoming events will take place in: Washington, D.C. Riyadh and Kyiv.

Novalis 2029 was a collaborative effort. Special thanks to Pierre de Meuron, Daniel Wiener and our colleagues Sabrina Kost, Aymen Cheikh Mhamed, and Andrea Galli for their invaluable contributions.

If you’re ready to experience Novalis 2029, request your free copy at com@arx.ing