The Brückenkopf West is a 1960s office building in Bern which is transformed into a residential complex with apartments, lofts, and commercial spaces. The new façade enhances views and natural light, while exposed columns and flexible layouts preserve its industrial heritage. A shared rooftop terrace completes the urban concept.
location
status
typology
project
Bern CH
completed
commercial + residential
renovation + change of use
Photos: Bauart Architekten und Planer AG / Ruedi Walti
Plans: Bauart Architekten und Planer AG
Project
Repurposing and renovation of a 1960s office building into apartments and commercial spaces in Bern
Address
Eigerstrasse 73, 3007 Bern
Client
Private
Architect
Bauart Architekten und Planer AG Bern CH bauart.ch
Collaborators / Specialist
Construction management: Eberhart Partner Bauleitungen AG Bern CH
Civil engineer: Bächtold & Moor AG Bern CH
Electrical engineer + Building technology: Amstein + Walthert Bern AG Bern CH
Lighting Design: Wegmüller Licht Zürich CH
Façade Planning: Fachwerk F+K Engineering AG Muri bei Bern CH
Fire Safety: Wälchli Architekten Partner AG Bern CH
Building Physics + Acoustics: Gartenmann Engineering AG Bern CH
Year of construction / renovation
1964 / 2021
Construction method
Skeleton structure (columns and slabs)
Building type
Residential / commercial building with restaurant
Floor area (SIA)
8'080 m2
Volume (SIA)
25'200 m3
The Brückenkopf West in Bern is a 1960s office building transformed into a residential complex with apartments, lofts, and commercial spaces. Located at the western end of the Monbijou Bridge, the project revitalizes a previously underutilized site, strengthening connections between city districts and enriching the urban fabric.
The new façade maximizes views and natural light, while the exposed concrete columns and open layouts preserve its industrial character. The building’s flexible floor plan, supported by a robust flat-slab and column system, allows for adaptable living spaces with loft-like interiors. Sliding partitions provide privacy while maintaining openness.
A shared rooftop terrace extends communal space, while sustainable interventions—including prefabricated concrete elements and high-performance glazing—ensure energy efficiency. The careful reuse of the original structure significantly reduces embodied energy, making the transformation a model for adaptive reuse in dense urban environments.
