Tramdepot Bern by Penzel Valier

The new tram depot in Bern is a simple, strip-like hall that harmonizes internal demands for economy and organization with the constraints of a tight, angled site, resulting in a clear and robust form. Its geometry is driven by operational needs: a maximum, column-free parking area based on the tram length (42.5 m) and requirements for curve radii, clearance profiles, and safety distances to ensure optimal vehicle circulation.

The depot’s exterior is defined by the lightness of its glass and aluminum shell. Originally planned in two stages after a 2007 competition, the expansion responds to the city’s growing tram network and longer vehicles. A decade after completing the first phase, construction began on the second stage in 2024, increasing capacity from 7 to 15 sidings.