Penzel Valier

The tram is a popular and environmentally friendly means of transport. In Bern, the network is to be further expanded in the coming years, so the growing fleet required a larger depot. Thanks to the interdisciplinary collaboration between the architect and the engineer, the new building on the outskirts of the city succeeded in creating a harmonious symbiosis of architectural design and structure. The storage and maintenance hall for 28 trams already has to offer all the prerequisites for support-free extensions in two construction phases.

The planners developed a load-bearing structure, which in all three phases, despite the doubling of the base area, complies with building regulations and meets the changing static requirements. The competition jury was particularly impressed by the clear organization and good usability of the hall with large support-free areas and modular fixtures. The narrow grounds, the length of a dream unit of 42m and the minimum radius of the turning curve gave the dimensions and L-shape of the approximately 200-meter-long building. 26 transversal trusses form a uniform shed structure, through which daylight penetrates.