Brunnadern, Residential Buildings, Atelier 5, Bern 1970, Brutalism © HEARTBRUT / Karin Bürki

Brunnadern

Words & Photography: Karin Bürki

Words & Photography: Karin Bürki

The discreet charm of haute bourgeous living

Located in Bern’s leafy diplomatic quarter, Brunnadern marks a notable departure from Atelier 5’s pragmatic reimagining of classic Le Corbusier-isms. The four concrete apartment buildings offer an unashamedly baroque take on brutalism. The unusual concrete splendour is a nod to the neighbourhood’s high bourgeois grandeur lurking behind the walls and carefully manicured topiary. Individual layouts, private terraces and separate entrances, some with spiral staircases, do their best to make the apartments look and feel like single-family homes.

This is a private property. Intrude discreetly and with diplomatic skill. If you do get caught red-handed, declaring to be a fan of Atelier 5 in a posh English accent should help deescalate the situation.
The upmarket development also offers communal facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and hobby rooms.

© Karin Bürki/Heartbrut

© Karin Bürki/Heartbrut

Autosilo Balestra, multi storey car park and shopping centre, Carlo Cesarini, Lugano, 1978 Ticino, Swiss brutalism. Explore more on Heartbrut.com
Franziskus House, abandoned former retreat house, conference centre and student campus, Otto Glaus, 1969, Swiss brutalism. Explore more on Heartbrut.com
Haus Vogelbacher, Pierre Zoelly, Stampa, Bregaglia, Canton of Grisons. Swiss brutalism, Schweizer Brutalismus, brutalisme suisse. Explore on Heartbrut.com
Église Saint Nicolas, Walter Maria Förderer, Hérémence, 1967-1971, Swiss Brutalism, © Karin Bürki/Heartbrut. Explore more on Heartbrut.com

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