Berrel Kräutler Architekten Berrel Kräutler Architekten

Administration Building Ittigen

0144

Administration Building Ittigen

Administration Building Ittigen
Situation of the UVEK campus with the new construction of the 1st stage (with incised roof terrace) and the footprint for the 2nd stage just below
Situation of the UVEK campus with the new construction of the 1st stage (with incised roof terrace) and the footprint for the 2nd stage just below

Since 2006, the admin­is­tra­tive centre of the federal authorities on Mühle­strasse in Ittigen has accommo­dated various agencies of the Swiss Confeder­ation, including the depart­ments of environ­ment, traffic and trans­port, energy, and communi­cation (UVEK). In two stages, the government is expanding this location between the Worble Valley and the forest to include an additional 900 work­stations.
The existing complex is being augmented by via two elon­ga­ted buildings having the same orien­tation. Emerging is a vibrant campus with rhythmically staggered open areas and pathways. By 2020, the first building was completed.

A. Solid construction, B. Wood hybrid construction, 1. entrance hall, 2. conference hall, 3. staircase, 4. meeting room/­documentation, 5. kitchen/­technology, 6. outside terrace, 7. technical room
A. Solid construction, B. Wood hybrid construction, 1. entrance hall, 2. conference hall, 3. staircase, 4. meeting room/­documentation, 5. kitchen/­technology, 6. outside terrace, 7. technical room

In plan and section, the volumes of the new five- and seven-story buildings are clearly structured. Arranged around a massive central concrete core are circum­feren­tial floors consis­ting of a composite wood and concrete construc­tion. The solid core contains all vertical circu­lation infra­structure, confer­ence rooms, ancillary rooms, as well as technical installa­tions.

Curved concrete staircase — a masterpiece of craftsmanship
Curved concrete staircase — a masterpiece of craftsmanship
Longitudinal section
Longitudinal section

Ground floor with restaurant, cafeteria and training rooms
1st floor with multi-purpose hall in the core
2nd floor with central interior terrace
4th floor with meeting rooms in the atrium
6th floor with roof terrace

View into the atrium
View into the atrium

The core is configured as an atrium that is situated between two stair­cases and spans the entire height of the building. This centre facilitates the arrival of staff members and visitors, as well as meeting, greeting, and circula­tion.

Central indoor terrace as an employee lounge
Central indoor terrace as an employee lounge
Bright corridor along the cellular offices
Bright corridor along the cellular offices

Attached to and sur­round­ing the concrete core is a spatial structure consis­ting of wood, which accom­mo­dates the single and open plan offices. These are strung along the facade, and are distin­guished by marvel­lous views as well as optimal light­ing and venti­lation.

The restaurant is dominated by oak wood and the view of the greenery
The restaurant is dominated by oak wood and the view of the greenery
The ornamental wood structure of the ceilings is also visible from the outside
The ornamental wood structure of the ceilings is also visible from the outside
One of the squares between the buildings
One of the squares between the buildings

Pre-existing land­scape elements were taken up and devel­oped further together with the design of the outdoor areas of the new build­ings. Arising now along the banks of the Worble River is a spacious green area with vege­tation that is typical of a flood­plain meadow, and offers places to linger beneath alders, willows, and ashes. On the hill­side, walking trails leading through the forest have been upgraded and shady zones intro­duced for rest and relaxation. The squares between the build­ings are clearly defined, and have been given clusters of trees and outdoor furni­ture. They serve employees as outdoor meeting points and recrea­tional areas.

The façade has vertical wooden slats and projecting parapet strips, integrating the building in the existing campus
The façade has vertical wooden slats and projecting parapet strips, integrating the building in the existing campus
On the densely overgrown footprint for the 2nd stage
On the densely overgrown footprint for the 2nd stage

Since completion of the first stage in the summer of 2020, the prepared footprint of the second building has been occupied by a provisional park with dense shrub­bery and benches for sitting.

Stair well
Stair well

0144 Administration building Pulverstrasse on the UVEK-campus in Ittigen

Reference numbers
Competition: 2013
Start of construction: 2017
Completion: 2020
Floor area: 20’000 m2 (first stage)
Building volume: 75’000 m3 (first stage)
Labels: SNBS Gold für nachhaltige Bauten, GI Gutes Innenraumklima, Schweizer Holz
Awards: best architects 22

Project particpants
Client: Bundesamt für Bauten und Logistik BBL
Building management: Tekhne 
Construction engineer: Dr. Schwartz Consulting / Dr. Vollenweider
Landscape architect: ASP Landschaftsarchitekten
Photos: Damian Poffet / Hannes Henz

Team BBK
Project: Johannes Maier, Jennifer Caviezel, Silvia Ackermann, Simon Kempf, Frauke Ries, Christian Schmitt, Mirco Juon, Samuel Häusermann, Jaime Rodriguez, Bianca Böckle, Ulrike Köpke, Sophie Wuest, Jan Thüring, Simon Weber, Amelie Gschwind, Dalya Ortak, Aramis Vincenzi
Competition: Jaime Rodriguez, Annina Baumgartner, Benjamin Pannatier

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