FORUM3

Location: Bern
Program: Mixed Use
Size: 34,000 m2
Stage: Competition
Team: Patrice Gruner, Jose Gonzalez Menendez, Nafe Nafe, Leandro Waquim, Kristina Schramm, Andrea Suardi, Klötzli-Friedli Landscape Architects

CONTEXT

The location in Ostermundigen, in the immediate vicinity of the city of Bern, is today surrounded by a heterogeneous structure. In addition to the residential area and suburban infrastructure, there is a large recreational area and cultural institutions such as the Zentrum Paul Klee can be reached within a short walking distance. The current industrial quarter “Tägetli” in the northern part of Ostermundigen shows great potential to increase in its diversity of uses. These developments can result in an attractive (sub)urban quarter with increased open space qualities and modular usable areas.

CONCEPT

The new quarter “FORUM3” should sustainably strengthen the quality of life in Ostermundigen and enable contemporary, attractive forms of living and working. The forum (lat.) offers, as in Roman times, a place of community and market place at the same time. The mixued-use concept convinces with different building typologies, which meet the individual needs of all generations and offer with the greened inner courtyard an active neighborhood center and meeting place including a stream, playground and cafés. A new working and living quarter is being created here, where local creative people can work in studios, all age groups can find suitable living space, and residents can stroll through arcades just like in Bern’s old town.

CONTENT

We are pursuing a holistic concept of sustainability, including ecological, socio-cultural and economic principles, to create a high-quality, dense neighbourhood building block. The individual buildings arranged in a triangle allow great flexibility in use and address. Accordingly, the basic structure is designed so that the use of the buildings can be individually adapted to the needs of the business owners and residents. The green yard provides a platform as a creative hub for social exchange between workers and residents. An active meeting place is created in the landscaped courtyard, which strengthens social cohesion and promotes dialogue in everyday life.