Europaplatz Multipurpose Center

Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach

EUROPAPLATZ MULTIPURPOSE CENTER

Planning Association Bauart Architects And Planners + Urbanoffice Architects

HVAC
Carnotech, Zofingen, Amstein + Walthert Ag

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Extra Landschaftsarchitekten

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Stefan Graf (Bauart) And Madir Shah (Urbanoffice)

MANUFACTURERS
Swisspearl

TRAFFIC PLANNERS
Kontextplan

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Halter Ag Gesamtleitungen

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Piazza Beratende Ingenieure, Ittigen

CIVIL ENGINEER
Smt Ag Ingenieure + Planer

CLIENTS
Halter Ag Gesamtleitungen

GEOLOGY
Sieber Cassina + Partner Ag

EXECUTION PLANNING
Architekten Schwaar & Partner

EXECUTION OF PRAYER ROOMS
Dergâh Alevis And Church Christians | Architekturbüro Patrick Thurston, Bern; Buddhist Center | Architektur-atelier Edgar Bertschi, Solothurn; Hindu Temple | Fuchs + Guggisberg Architekten, Bern; Mosque | Muslimischer Verein, Bern

BUILDING PHYSICS
Gartenmann Engineering, Bern

ACOUSTICS
Gartenmann Engineering, Bern

GLASS FACADE BASE
Mlg Metall Und Planung

COLLABORATORS
Urbanoffice, Bauart, Peter Badner, Stefan Graf, Claudia Hitschke, Daniel Kobel, Michael Koller, Anton Matti, Regula Moser, Yves Pfeiffer, Bruno Ryf, Marco Ryter, Madir Shah

FIRE PROTECTION
Wälchli Architekten Partner Ag

FACADES MAIN BUILDING
Schönbühl, Ediltecnica Spa

FACADES DESIGN
Nika Spalinger, Zürich

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Bern, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Mixed Use Architecture, Religious Buildings

EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF - EXPERIENCE LIVING, WORKING, SHOPPING, CULTURE, AND RELIGION 

The Europaplatz Multipurpose Center with its distinctive shape takes over the function of a new city gate in the west of Bern (Switzerland) and defines the Europaplatz train station.

Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach

It lies in between the city of Bern and the western suburbs. The building stands as a symbol for different worlds that meet each other, the old city-center and suburbs with a high percentage of people from many different cultures.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL CENTER AS A STACKED MICROCOSM

At Europaplatz a multifunctional building with vertically stacked, multiple uses has been created.

In addition to the 88 modern apartments located in the building, there are flexible administrative areas, various shops, dining establishments and most importantly - in the heart of the building - the House of Religions | Dialogue of Cultures.

Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach

HOUSE OF RELIGIONS

It is located in the heart of the building, in the two-story-high plinth underneath the 10-story main building. 

From the inside, the house is completely transparent and therefore fully connected with the city.

From the outside, the house emanates dynamic and layered, which makes one curious about the interior. 8 world religions live and pray together. 5 religious groups have a private prayer area.

All this is held together by a common element, the dialog area where people of different cultures meet, discuss, and celebrate together. The dialog area also serves as a public platform for questions about religious topics.

Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach

The House of religions - Dialogue of Cultures is a globally unique place for conversation and encounter between different population groups and religious communities.

LIVING | 19 DIFFERENT TYPOLOGIES

The Europaplatz Centre offers 88 apartments ranging from 1-room apartment to 3.5 bedrooms dabble storied duplex. A generously sized interior residential corridor connects to the efficient dwellings and the interlaced maisonettes.

Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach

All apartments have one thing in common: an open living and dining area, a balcony, terrace or French balcony, a separate laundry room, a bathroom, and a bedroom.

As an added convenience, some apartments have a sound-absorbent lining, a separate changing room, built-in wardrobes, a bathroom en suite or an atrium. The apartments are very bright - thanks to the plan layout and the large windows.

Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© Rob Lewis
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach

The deep loggias bring more light into the depth of the building block and serve on the other hand, as an extension to the living room.

Additionally, the loggias are lined with sound absorbing material in order to reduce the noise level so that you can easily sleep with the windows open.

Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach

WORKING AND SHOPPING

Besides the apartments, in the main body of the building, are located 2’600 m2 office areas, which can be divided into flexible office units.

The building depth of 20m allows the organization of many different office typologies. On the ground level, various shops and restaurants are oriented directly towards the public square under the highway.

Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
© José Hevia Blach

Europaplatz emerges as a new center for the neighborhood and for the commuters who use the places as a transfer hub.


Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center


Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center


Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
Ground Floor
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1st Floor
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
2nd Floor
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3rd Floor


Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
4th-5th Floor
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
6th Floor
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7th Floor
Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
8th Floor


Europaplatz Multipurpose Center
Section