werk, bauen + wohnen 7/8–2026 «Berna»

The Bern Spirit

Why an issue about Bern? — If we were talking about Basel or Zurich probably nobody would ask this question. Bern is the attractive capital with the River Aare, the old town, the Rosengarten Park and Bern’s public spaces are quintessentially political — the federal capital is the obvious and logical place to voice one’s concerns. But what about the architecture? For this issue we chose 44 projects from recent years. Many of these “gems of Bern” are small, refined building projects, with which local architecture offices continue the development of their city.

In an interview city planner Jeanette Beck mentioned a particular characteristic: Bern, she explained, is a city of civil servants, something that is very evident in the busy train-station that has reached its capacity. Far more people commute to work in the city than live there. It is not only the train station and the urban spaces around it that are being redesigned. The city is growing at a moderate place — in some places somewhat more rapidly: after discussing proposals for the Wankdorf City 3 for more than three years, this project (also known as the “stacked city”) is now under construction, as is the Viererfeld. New residential districts are being built in Weyermannshaus West, too. In 2018 Rolf Mühlethaler put forward a pioneering proposal in this regard: he advocated using the existing commercial buildings as urban resources and continuing them, preserving existing side streets and courtyards, and developing the DNA of the district as a means of ensuring urban quality. The foundation stone for planning has been laid — we await the outcome expectantly!

The redevelopment of the “Gaswerkareal” is more controversial as there are different, at times conflicting, needs. Quo vadis? — our author Simon Gysel asks and describes the development in the alluvial plain. The city is moving ahead; the first design competition is underway. Now the architects must make their contribution. Perhaps some of them might make a pilgrimage to beyond the Bremgartenwald. On a woodland clearing above the Aare stands a crumbling, overgrown social community organism, an icon and pioneering project of housing development in Bern; Halen by Atelier 5. Thalmatt and the Hitner Aumatt development by arb are also worth visiting, as they offer an experience of the spirit that once made housing in Bern so widely known. And there is a continuation: At Holliger this community spirit is again evident and urban cooperative housing projects are creating space for it. Paula Sansano was on site for us and observed how the open space and the buildings are being filled with life. — Lucia Gratz