Meinen-Areal Bern
Transformation into an urban, mixed neighborhood
A new part of the city is being created on the site of a former large butcher's shop: the Meinen site combines living, working and public spaces to create a lively, diverse district in the heart of Bern.
The transformation of the Meinen site in Bern’s Mattenhof neighborhood is a prime example of contemporary, high-density, and socially oriented urban development. Within a very limited area, an urban neighborhood center is taking shape that combines new forms of housing with community life and high-quality urban spaces. Where commercial production once took place, a place of coexistence is now emerging-diverse, vibrant, and sustainable. The project addresses the high pressure on Bern’s housing market and demonstrates how densification can be successfully combined with a high quality of living: through clear typologies, ground floors open to various uses, publicly accessible open spaces, and a diverse range of housing options. Through the interplay of architecture, landscape, and land use, a sustainable part of the city is emerging that fosters a sense of identity at both the local and citywide levels.
Following the sale of the former large-scale butchery site to the PAT-BVG Pension Fund in 2011, the transformation into a mixed-use neighborhood is being carried out in stages. Approximately 185 apartments are being built on a site covering about 10,000 m², complemented by commercial spaces, studios, and neighborhood-oriented facilities. One-third of the residential space is being developed as part of the housing initiative for nonprofit and affordable housing.
The urban development concept focuses on density and scale: in the north, the perimeter block is closed with five storeys, while free-standing buildings in the south ensure a looser structure and urban diversity. Existing, characteristic buildings will be retained and integrated – an architectural memory that keeps the industrial origins of the location tangible. Green inner courtyards, planted roof areas and a climate-friendly open space concept promote the microclimate and create pleasant places to spend time. Photovoltaic surfaces, rainwater management and mobility options with a focus on non-motorized traffic make the site a contemporary, resource-saving urban building block.
The architecture combines compactness with openness and fosters a sense of community through varied access patterns. Four- and five-unit buildings, arcades, and studios offer a wide range of housing and lifestyle options-from family apartments to communal living to combined living and work studios. In the design, varied facade materials and refined detailing sensitively integrate the new area into the cityscape. The green outdoor space serves as a communal hub that fosters social interaction, provides a place to linger, and enhances the microclimate.
The project brings together our expertise in urban planning, architecture, and social neighborhood development. From our successful participation in the design competition through to the implementation of service phases SIA 31-53 (comparable to HOAI 1-5), ASTOC is responsible for the overall planning in collaboration with GWJ Architektur (Bern) and ORT für Landschaftsarchitektur (Zurich). The Meinen Areal is an example of our integrated approach to shaping urban transformation processes in a creative, functional, and sustainable manner.
Client
Pension Fund for Physicians and Veterinarians PAT BVG (as of SIA 31), Halter AG (as of SIA 51)
Size
34,200 m² GFA, 185 residential units
Planning and Implementation
of the 2014-2027
Service
Design Competition-1st Place; Project Planning (SIA 31-53); General Planning up to SIA 41; from SIA 51 onward commissioned under a turnkey contract
Collaboration
GWJ Architektur AG, Bern (CH), ORT for Landscape Architecture, Zurich (CH)
Credits: (1–4, 10–12 ) ASTOC / GWJ Architektur, (5–9) Damian Poffet
