Inselspital, University Hospital Bern
With the construction of its new main building, the Inselspital has become one of the leading medical centres in Switzerland. The 60-metre-tall project has been designed to ensure optimal visitor comfort in every detail, but it is also known for its ambitious sustainability targets. Thanks to some impactful architectural choices, such as the use of MasterLine 10 high-insulation windows by Reynaers Aluminium, Inselspital is the first federal hospital of this size to receive the prestigious Minergie-P-Eco certification.
One future-proof campus
Inselspital is an institution steeped in history, with roots dating back as far as 1354; the new building is aptly dubbed the Anna-Seiler-Haus, named after one of its original founders. Today, the university hospital is part of Insel Gruppe AG and is linked to the healthcare system of the Canton of Bern.
To prepare the hospital for the future, thorough structural renewal of the site was in order. At the heart of the site lays the innovative main building, which was designed by Bern-based architectural firm Archipel. In urban-planning terms, the main building connects with the surrounding structures, including state-of-the-art research facilities, to create one cohesive campus.
Photo: Pascal Gugler
Challenges during the design phase
While the plot only measures 7,000 square metres, the total usable floor area of the new building amounts to more than 80,000 square metres. The Archipel design team and the Buri Müller engineering office were therefore faced with a challenge: how do you divide this surface area into an attractive yet functional building design?
Inspired by the sculptures of Spanish artist Eduardo Chillida, a monolith was created, consisting of multiple geometric blocks. By shifting and removing individual volumes, open spaces are created within the building, resulting in more façade surface area, while also providing generous terraces. The patient rooms, which are arranged exclusively along the outer façade, benefit from maximum daylight access – a vital element to ensure a comfortable recovery.
Another challenge was the ambitious sustainability targets of the new building, which had to meet the stringent Minergie-P-Eco certification. To meet requirements related to optimal energy efficiency and comfort, the team opted for high-insulation windows by Reynaers Aluminium.
Photo: Pascal Gugler
Photo: Pascal Gugler
A façade for the future
In close collaboration with construction expert Progin SA Metal, the MasterLine 10 window solution proved to be the best choice to meet comfort and sustainability needs. MasterLine 10 offers the ease of fabrication and installation of the standard MasterLine series, and enhances it with ultimate high-insulation performance. The particularly robust and secure system withstands exceptionally high wind loads, which are typically present with high-rise buildings such as the Anna-Seiler-Haus. Additionally, MasterLine 10 windows can reach Uf values down to 0.74 W/m2K, which is perfect to meet passive energy requirements.
The new main building features a combination of MasterLine 10 opening windows and fixed glazing at regular intervals. The windows let in plenty of sunlight, while keeping out the heat during summer, blocking the cold during winter, and reducing unwanted noise coming from outside the building. What is more, the opening tilt vents let in a fresh breeze of air to ensure natural ventilation throughout.
Putting the health of patients first
The Anna-Seiler-Haus creates optimal conditions for people to work and heal in peace. Thanks to a well-thought-out layout that lets in a maximum of daylight, and low-energy aluminium solutions that withstand the weather all year long, the heart of the Inselspital campus is ready to face the future. Reynaers Aluminium and its partners are proud to have contributed to this exceptional project that always puts the health of its patients first.
Special thanks to Pascal Gugler for granting access to the project images. All rights reserved.
Used systems
Involved stakeholders
Fabricator
- Progin SA Metal
