SBB CFF FFS

New Headquarter, Bern

In the Renaissance an era in which architecture was regarded as the highest expression of the alma mater the roles of architect, artist, and sculptor were united. A comparable, though deliberately restrained and contemporary, holistic approach characterises the construction of the two SBB office buildings.

The defining feature of their appearance is a suspended, movable façade made of coloured glass lamellas that envelops the buildings like a garment. Around 1,800 lamellas respond to the position of the sun, weather conditions, and light intensity, continuously adjusting to create optimal spatial and working conditions. As a result, the buildings’ appearance is in constant transformation throughout the day and across the seasons.

The façade design is based on just five metallic colour tones. Spanning all five storeys, these tones form a meandering colour composition that wraps around both buildings, with no identical colour combinations ever meeting.