Kantonale Französisch-Sprachige Schule (ECLF)

Architecture: A school complex comprising a sports hall, four classroom wings and an assembly hall building. The defining structural elements of the complex are a walkway and a wall flanking it, along which the buildings are arranged. The classroom wings, all situated on the east side and at right angles to the walkway, are linked by an access hall running parallel to the walkway, which also serves as a break hall. The assembly hall is situated on the northern end of the walkway on its western side, whilst the gymnasium, positioned on the eastern side of the walkway, abuts the walkway with its long side. The only deviation from the strict orthogonality is the main building housing the assembly hall, whose south and west façades are set at an angle. The three southern classroom wings, with rectangular floor plans and flat roofs, are organised in a single-bay layout, whilst the northern classroom wing, which houses specialist rooms, and the auditorium building are organised in a double-bay layout. Densely arranged large rectangular windows dominate the southern façades of the classroom wings. The opposing northern elevations contrast with these through walls that are largely solid, featuring only a few small windows. The outer shell of the assembly hall wing is essentially designed in the same way. The gymnasium, set back by one storey from ground level, comprises two sections: the main body of the hall opens onto the east side with generous structural glazing, whilst the closed, two-storey ancillary wing runs along the west side. The complex is impressive both conceptually and through the sensitive spatial and material treatment of the architecture. (Copyright: Bauinventar 2017, City of Bern Heritage Conservation)

Use: The Cantonal French-Language School (ECLF) is committed to inclusive and multilingual education. Located in the heart of Bern, it offers a unique and welcoming learning environment. It combines mutual respect, critical thinking and innovative teaching methods to prepare pupils for the challenges of the world. For over eighty years, the ECLF has been teaching children from French-speaking and bilingual families in Bern and the surrounding area, as well as – subject to availability – children of members of the diplomatic corps and international institutions. (Copyright: ECLF 2026)