100 Jahre Labor Spiez

Design of the centenary publication celebrating 100 years of the Spiez Laboratory – a globally recognized scientific institute for protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) hazards. In its mission, the Spiez Laboratory supports the international community in the disarmament of NBC weapons.


Over the course of a year, photographer Beat Schweizer documented the Spiez Laboratory, producing images that offer a unique behind-the-scenes perspective.

The book presents the image subjects on three design levels. At the beginning and end, strongly enlarged image details form an independent visual layer. They open up an investigative, yet emotional and almost abstract perspective on the subjects.

The central section presents the photographs in their original framing as a continuous, narrative sequence. The images are shown without commentary, allowing the reader to move through the world of the Spiez Laboratory in an observant, exploratory way.

In the final section, all images are brought together in a clearly structured index and accompanied by precisely written captions that provide additional information about the photographs and the laboratory.