Jardin Métropole: Mindful Urban Densification

The indistinct boundary between the Mett and Baren districts of the Swiss city of Bienne, in the Canton of Bern, is home to a new urban landmark: Jardin Métropole – Bären Tour de l’Ours, designed by HHF Architects.

This nine-story building next to the Bärenplatz rotunda references Bienne’s tradition of expressive vertical architecture while also reflecting the recent urban renewal of the Mett residential area.

Jardin Métropole: integrated into a complex urban context

Increasing densification over the years has left the district’s urban landscape heterogeneous and fragmented. More recently, however, awareness of this phenomenon has seen the development of a more planned, conscious approach to design. Both the adjacent Arthur–Villard Promenade – which comprises green spaces, pedestrian zones, and rest areas — and Jardin Métropole are concrete examples.

La struttura si compone di tre volumi interconnessi disposti attorno a una scala centrale illuminata naturalmente. I piani superiori ospitano 16 appartamenti, che si affacciano sul nucleo storico del villaggio e offrono viste naturali sulle montagne del Giura. Le unità abitative, di dimensioni variabili, offrono soluzioni per diversi tipi di nuclei residenziali.

The structure comprises three interconnected volumes arranged around a naturally lit central staircase. Sixteen apartments occupy the upper floors overlooking the village’s historic center and offer views of the Jura Mountains. The residential units vary in size and cater to different household types.

In response to heavy traffic levels to the south, the building is stepped back and has ample retail spaces on the lower levels. The first floor includes a rotunda that engages with the plaza and Poststrasse. On the north side, the structure marks the village edge and leads to a new amenitized public green space.

An expressive, sustainable building

With advanced technical features, the façade brilliantly combines expressiveness and functionality as the project’s defining element, giving cohesion and character to the volumes.

All exterior surfaces – both horizontal and vertical – are fitted with photovoltaic modules alternating with glazed ceramic panels. The modules are fixed with screws and anchored to a double textile mesh with mineral wool insulation made from 80% recycled glass. The façade therefore doubles as a vertical solar power plant.

With the goal of minimizing nonrenewable energy use, the building has extensive on-site sustainable sources. Geothermal probes supply heating and hot water, for example, while a controlled mechanical ventilation system brings in fresh air without opening windows, therefore minimizing thermal loss.

The green spaces incorporate rainwater harvesting systems and act as acoustic barriers, therefore combining sustainability and functionality. A shared rooftop garden creates spaces for socializing.

Jardin Métropole stands out for a design language that responds to the fragmented nature of its complex context, engaging with the existing urban fabric while serving as a new symbol of urban regeneration.

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