New offices in Bern – construction to begin in January 2025
The SNSF is constructing a new office building in WankdorfCity for its employees and honorary bodies. Other organisations or companies are also expected to relocate there in 2027.
After more than 70 years, the SNSF needs a new home. Its current offices near the Bern train station are spread across five buildings, two of which need to be completely renovated. In addition, the city of Bern has defined a different development focus for the neighbourhood – with fewer offices to allow for more residential space and more space for schools and daycare centres. All these factors make it impossible for the SNSF to remain at its current location.
Multifunctional and flexible
The SNSF will therefore be building its new headquarters in Bern's WankdorfCity. All workplaces will be located in the same four-storey building, which is designed to accommodate additional tenants. With its multifunctional rooms, the modern office complex is designed for flexibility. It offers a wide range of options for collaboration and events. It will also offer sufficient space for the SNSF's honorary bodies as well as a canteen.
The SNSF will rent out parts of the new building. Another organisation from the education, research and innovation (ERI) sector has already signalled its interest. "We are creating a contemporary and sustainable office building for flexible working," says Céline Liechti, member of the SNSF Executive Management. "Exciting synergies are emerging for organisations from the ERI sector. The infrastructure will enable us to optimise cooperation in research funding and communicate the value of research more effectively."
Platinum standard in sustainability
The architecture firm Penzel Valier AG is responsible for the design and planning of the new offices. The SNSF is aiming for Platinum level certification from the Swiss Sustainable Building Standard (SNBS) for the construction. Following a multi-stage tendering process, the SNSF engaged the construction and real estate services provider Implenia as the full-service general contractor. The value of the contract is around 54 million Swiss francs. The city of Bern has already granted the building permit for the project.
The SNSF will be able to cover a significant portion of these costs by selling the four buildings that it currently owns. The city of Bern will purchase these properties as soon as the SNSF has completed its move. In March 2024, the Bernese electorate approved a loan of 33.9 million francs for this purpose.
The new building's name is Atryum
The new SNSF Administrative Offices will be a place of collaboration and exchange. This is reflected in the building's atrium, which inspired the name Atryum. The spelling alludes to an innovative architectural solution in the façade: The Y refers to the supporting pillars, which are shaped like the letter Y to optimally transfer the load into the ground in a spatially efficient way.
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place in January 2025, and the SNSF is expected to move to its new location in summer 2027.