1968–1969: Construction of the new building by Fritz Haller; 1984–1986: addition of a garden and bathing pavilion; 2015–2019: complete renovation of the residential building, now a listed building, by the Bern-based architect Philippe Castellan
Architects
Fritz Haller
Client
USM U. Schärer Söhne Ltd
Description
Modular housing – the Schärer House is Fritz Haller’s first residential project based on a prefabrication system. On the sloping terrain, the living space rests on stilts. In between, glass infills create an impression of transparency and lightness all round. Until the early 2000s, the Schärer House was used as a residential building and later as an office block, and remains in its original condition apart from a few partial refurbishments. Following a thorough assessment, the client, together with the design team, decided to temporarily dismantle the modular USM Haller MINI steel structure completely down to the ground floor slab, to refurbish and restore the individual components in the workshop, or where necessary to have them rebuilt to their original specifications, and subsequently to reassemble the MINI steel structure. The aim was to renovate the Schärer residential building whilst preserving as much as possible of the original building fabric and character. And thus to safeguard an important testament to the company’s own history – for decades to come.
Type of tour: Individual tours in groups, available throughout opening hours Registration: not required (first come, first served) Group size: no limit Meeting point: in front of the entrance to the “Buchli” Parking: at USM modular furniture, Thunstrasse 55, 3110 Münsingen – a short walk to the house, signposted.
Guided Tours
Saturday, 10:00-14:00 - USM modular furniture
Sunday, 10:00-14:00 - USM modular furniture
Directions
Take the S1 from Bern to "Münsingen", then walk for about 15 minutes, or take bus 165 or 167 from Münsingen station to "Münsingen, Industrie/USM"
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