With the "Urban Square" complex, PORR SUISSE has built around 9,000 m² of high-quality living space on the former Gangloff industrial site at Europaplatz. In addition, around 2,500 m² of commercial space serve the needs of the surrounding neighbourhood. PORR was commissioned by Gangloff Immobilien AG as the total contractor for this project.
Josef Pein, CEO a.i. of PORR SUISSE, says: "With this project Bern has gained living space. The former industrial area has been enormously upgraded. For example, it now offers a green garden area with generous planting in the inner courtyard."
Charming residential quarter
The 178 flats and two studios have a high standard of finish and convince with a lot of charm and quality of life. This is because the three interconnected building sections are arranged around an attractively designed and centrally landscaped inner courtyard. Specifically, this involves a tower in the west with eight storeys, a lying structure in the north with seven storeys and an angular building in the south and east with four storeys.
The two basement floors are equipped with bicycle shelters and a large parking garage. Thanks to its unique location at Europaplatz, the building development is also perfectly connected to public transport.
Sustainable thanks to photovoltaics and waste heat recovery
The project meets high sustainability standards and will be certified according to the current Minergie standard. A photovoltaic system on the roof provides the necessary electricity. In addition, the waste heat generated from cooling the commercial spaces is used to heat water. This reduces the amount of energy purchased for district heating.
The exterior design makes a statement too: The robustness and simplicity of the clinker brick facade and the horizontal window divisions are reminiscent of earlier industrial use. Authentic details round off this impression. A special feature of this clinker facade, for example, is the use of belt strips made of glass-fibre concrete.
Facts and figures at a glance
Type of project: | Building construction. Residential and commercial construction |
Scope of services: | Construction of a residential building with 178 flats and 2 studios as well as commercial space, a parking garage on the 2nd floor and bicycle parking and cellar on the 1st floor. |
Client: | Gangloff Immobilien AG |
Contractor: | PORR SUISSE AG |
Project duration: | approx. 2.5 years |
Investor: | Bernische Pensionskasse (BPK) |
