A light with a history in a new setting

For some, it is a familiar light. For others, a completely new encounter. The spherical light fittings that now illuminate the central restaurant previously hung in the main hall of Aula Aurora and are an example of how selected details can be given a new function in a new environment.

With the partial reopening of the central restaurant and the new connecting passage to Beta on the Luleå campus, the lighting has taken on a new role. High above visitors, four spherical light fittings hover, recognised by some, alongside the reuse of suspended designer luminaires at the study areas in the passage. The spherical fittings previously lit Aula Aurora and have now been given a new location in the B building, where they contribute to a welcoming first impression.

As early as the beginning of 2023, a decision was made to retain the suspended spherical fittings when Aula Aurora was to be redeveloped. The ambition was clear. They were to be reused and continue to contribute to the campus environment when the right opportunity arose.

Initially, the idea was for them to be placed in the foyer of the Alpha building, but when that project was postponed, the fittings were put on hold. It was not until work on level one of the B building began in 2024 that they became relevant again. In dialogue with lighting consultant Jan Forsmark from Designat Ljus Europa AB, the idea emerged to make them part of the new central restaurant area. The generous ceiling height and open structure proved well suited to the fittings.

In their new position, the fittings follow the staircase down towards the newly created restaurant and contribute to a cohesive spatial experience across several levels. Through their form and height, they emphasise the volume of the space and create a sense of movement within the whole. The transparent, hand-blown glass spheres act as clear visual focal points without obstructing views across the interior.

As the installation phase approached, however, an unexpected complication arose. The hand-blown glass spheres, which are a central part of the fittings, could initially not be located.

“After an intensive search, they were found in November 2025 in dusty boxes in forgotten spaces in Aula Aurora, just before the premises were due to be cleared. This made it possible to complete the fittings and bring them back into use in their new environment,” says Lars Bergman, who together with Markus Wilhelmsson is project manager for the refurbishment.

The fittings are manufactured in Germany by GlasHütte Limburg, and the installation was preceded by careful structural calculations to ensure a safe ceiling installation. As part of the reuse process, the light sources have been upgraded to energy-efficient LED units, which are dimmed to further extend their lifespan while also enhancing the intended lighting experience. An additional fitting has also been retained in storage as part of the same history.

The partial opening of the central restaurant now provides a first glimpse of the lighting concept in the front area, which will have a completely different layout and appearance once the entire project is complete. In the new study environment in the passage towards the Beta building, a number of spaces for both study and informal use have been established, marking the beginning of a larger transformation in which function and design work together, as the final result will later demonstrate.

An inspiration image offers a sense of the planned whole and shows that both the layout and appearance will continue to change as the project progresses.