Campus Biel/Bienne: a clover-shaped timber-concrete landmark for Bern University of Applied Sciences

A three-leaf clover
The winning competition entry, named "Trèfle" and designed by pool Architekten in Zurich, takes its name from its distinctive geometry. Three horseshoe-shaped building wings frame an inner courtyard punctuated by three five-storey central volumes. Seen from above, the complex traces the outline of a three-leaf clover. The graphite blue-black finish of the facades is a deliberate technical choice: untreated timber weathers unevenly over time, and this dark tone ensures a uniform appearance throughout the building's lifespan. The interplay of timber, concrete and expansive glazing gives the campus a clean, industrial aesthetic, softened by the natural warmth of the wood.

Timber and concrete: an exceptional hybrid structure
The basement level is constructed entirely in reinforced concrete. From the ground floor upwards across four upper storeys, the structural approach changes fundamentally: the load-bearing system is a timber-concrete hybrid, one of the largest of its kind in Switzerland.

In total, approximately 12,000 m³ of timber are used for the primary structure, the upper-floor facades and the post-and-beam elements of the courtyard. The floor beams — a key component of the structural system — have undergone extensive testing at ETH Zurich for both mechanical strength and fire resistance, achieving performance levels comparable to reinforced concrete.

This hybrid approach combines the best of both materials: the mass and thermal inertia of concrete where they are essential, and the lightness, speed of assembly and favourable carbon footprint of timber wherever possible. The campus will be supplied by a district heating and cooling network using lake water, supplemented by a rooftop photovoltaic installation.

Tailor-made concrete for exceptional challenges
Novakies has developed a project-specific steel-fibre-reinforced concrete designed to reduce the number of work steps on site. With 35 kg of steel fibres per cubic metre, this concrete delivers outstanding flexural strength with minimal shrinkage. The mix design allows a substantial reduction in conventional reinforcement, saving valuable time during construction.

Construction progressing at a steady pace
Works are advancing on schedule. The primary structure for the central buildings, the SIM-Lab, the Campus Hall and peripheral buildings A, B and C is nearly complete and the initial roof waterproofing has been carried out. Facade installation has begun and preparations for building services are under way on all floors. Around 90 design professionals and some 200 tradespeople are currently engaged on the project.