References

Modular timber construction for schoolchildren in Bern

Two reusable temporary school buildings

View from the Monbijou Bridge of the school complex on the Gaswerkareal site in Bern

A temporary school building has been in use on the Gaswerkareal site in the heart of the city of Bern since August 2025. As full-service contractor, Blumer Lehmann was responsible for the planning, production and construction of the school modules.  

The city of Bern is growing, and so is the need for modern school facilities for children. During the renovation and extension works at Kirchenfeld primary school, the city of Bern needed a temporary school building for a total of three years.  

Blumer Lehmann was commissioned with the planning and construction of two three-storey school buildings, each consisting of 63 timber modules. Nine months after construction began, twelve school classes and a daycare facility moved in.  

Bright spaces, an open learning concept and the short construction period of around nine months confirm the city of Bern’s decision to choose this construction method. The advantages of modular school construction go even further. When the schoolchildren move back into the Kirchenfeld school building in the summer of 2028, the modules will be dismantled and seamlessly integrated into the city of Bern’s next conversion project: the renovation of Sulgenbach primary school.

Portrait Migga Hug Head of GC Services Blumer Lehmann

Migga Hug

Head of GC & TC Services | Architectural planning | Switzerland
Member of the Division Management

+41 71 388 58 23
migga.hug@blumer-lehmann.com
Print PDF

Project details

Client:
Präsidialdirektion Hochbau Stadt Bern
Architecture:
Bauart Architekten und Planer AG
Project type:
Education and research
Construction type:
Modular construction
Services:
JC
Construction:
2024-2025
Locality:
Bern
Country:
Switzerland
Energy Labels:
Minergie-ECO
Recreation area with play equipment

The two buildings were completed in just eight months | © Stadt Bern

Cloakrooms in the temporary school building on the Gaswerkareal site

The modular design allows for particularly flexible use of the rooms | © Stadt Bern

View of a classroom

The classrooms have modern facilities and offer plenty of natural light | © Stadt Bern