Bern, 20 Sep 2007

Daniel Libeskind Tops-Off His First Building in Switzerland

Joined by 900 Guests, Libeskind Celebrates the Completion of the Core and Shell of the westside Shopping and Leisure Center in Bern-Brünnen


Daniel Libeskind sketch

Just a year shy of the official opening, Daniel Libeskind was in Bern today to celebrate the completion of the core and shell of the westside Shopping and Leisure Center—a multi-use facility that combines a shopping center with 60 shops, a food court, and several restaurants and bars with a multiplex cinema with eleven auditoriums, a hotel and conference space, wellness center, fitness center and senior residence.


View from highway

Designed to replicate a medieval city, westside adopts all the functions of a 21st century public space by incorporating multi-level rooms, alleys and plazas, which are accentuated by the changing daylight that reaches all of the unique spaces through skylights and clearstories.


Leisure Centre

“Westside is an exciting 21st century community that dramatically reinvents the concept of shopping, entertainment, wellness and living,” said architect Daniel Libeskind.

Since the laying of the foundation in April 2006, between 400 and 600 workers have been at the construction site daily and have used more than 80,000 cubic meters of concrete, 120,000 cubic meters of aggregate, 11,000 tons of steel, 5,000 square meters of glass, 3,500 cubic meters of wood, 350 kilometers of power cables and 200 kilometers of pipes.


Food Hall

“Thanks to the outstanding and tireless commitments of all parties, we are on schedule,” remarked Anton Gäumann, CEO of Neue Brünnen AG. “We are determined to successfully complete and open westside on October 8, 2008.”

Dramatically located over highway A1, westside creates an exciting gateway into the city of Bern. The layered wooden façade connects the city area with the countryside to the west; while a new train stop connects westside to public transportation.


Kino - cinema

“This project creates a unique integration of architecture, landscape and a sophisticated urban spirit,” added Libeskind.

westside Shopping and Leisure Center in Bern-Brünnen : text from Studio Daniel Libeskind 200907



Swiss buildings


westside Shopping and Leisure Center : Studio Daniel Libeskind



Swiss building : Innsbruck

World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Comments / photos for this Bern Building page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

Westside Shopping Center - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt