Conversion of St. Luke’s Chapel in Bern

Bern, Switzerland

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Conversion of St. Luke’s Chapel in Bern

Bern, Switzerland

Firm

Morscher Architekten BSA SIA AG

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2014

The project located in a Bern neighbourhood involved converting a former chapel built in 1924 in Art Deco style and totally defaced in a 1970s renovation into new apartments. In order to make the project financially feasible two new flats had to be built into the double-story nave in addition to an already existing flat in the attic.
The double story nave posed some challenges: the eastern facade with four tall windows prevented a horizontal division of the internal space and the ground floor slab could not support any loadbearing structure because of a large multipurpose room in the basement underneath.
As a solution a floor-to-ceiling concrete beam on the upper floor spanning the full length of the nave and essentially forming a partition wall between the new apartments, left the ground floor free of supports. By setting this beam hence the upper level two meters back from the eastern facade, the typical church windows could be retained. While the frames of those windows were preserved, new triple glazing was fitted on the outside providing for an interesting layered effect.
The south facade, previously closed, was completely rebuild and opened up with generous sliding doors and projecting balconies now look onto the garden and the neighbourhood beyond.
Historical features on the outside where kept whenever possible so careful choices had to be made when insulating the building. On the inside minimalistic design and a reduced set of materials now define the spaces.
The flats were equipped with a Minergie® ventilation system. Fresh air is brought in through almost invisible gaps above the cupboard dividing living and sleeping areas. Stale air is extracted through wall vents.
Where a pastor once stood at the altar and an organist played hymns, food is now cooked and children’s laughter can be heard.