Gymnasium und FMS Lerbermatt

Currently, school buildings and school facilities are usually cramped. It is inconceivable that the winning project by architects Olivier Moser and Heinz Suter in the 1972 architectural competition for a new secondary school with swimming pool in Lerbermatt was criticised for being too spacious. The number of pupils was no longer growing so rapidly, so the new building project for a grammar school and a seminar building had to be scaled back. The swimming pool was also cancelled for this reason. It was not until 1978, after various modifications, that the masterplan by the Metron AG planning office was finally approved. From 1982-1984, the plans were realised by Moser & Suter AG Architekten, while Lanzrein & Partner Architekten AG were responsible for planning the seminary, the assembly hall and the work and drawing rooms.

The complex on Kirchstrasse in Köniz consists of the former seminary (which became a grammar school in 2002), the grammar school, an assembly hall, work and drawing rooms, a media centre, a canteen and two sports halls. The design of the complex is characterised by the exposed brick and concrete architecture typical of the 1970s. Typical of the postmodern architecture are the colourfully painted metal elements, which appear as scaffolding for the connecting corridors in the interior and exterior spaces, as façade elements or as accents on light fixtures or railings. The playful floor plans and exterior spaces also manifest the postmodern design intent.

The now 40-year-old complex must be continuously maintained and adapted to today's needs. This is done carefully and with consideration for the building fabric. A study is currently underway to extend the canteen and a project to upgrade the surrounding area. The school complex is fit for the future, including photovoltaic systems on the roofs. The pedagogical trends of the 1970s, reflected in the architecture, with freely furnishable classrooms as well as learning and group rooms, are more relevant than ever.