Poll
 | CONVRSION OF FORMER INDUSTRIAL SITES |
| VON ROLL AREAL IN BERN: CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | |
| Location | Switzerland Bern |
| Ownership | State |
| Finance | State budget plan,Municipal budget plans |
| Projects readiness | Finished project |
The industrial zone "Von Roll" goes back at 1804. At this point Peter Franz Ludwig Leo von Frayher von Roll of Emmen Wood established factory for pottery and earthenware. Later Basel, Emanuel La Roche, provided new resources available, thereby helping to alleviate the heavy burden of the debt. The French economic crisis of 1826/27 again shaked Von Roll. 40 years followed in which the company benefited from the high demand for iron at the dawn of industrialization. During the war of 1870-71, Von Roll again fell into crisis. This led to the dismissal of many employees. In the subsequent recovery, the company grew in size. In 1916 was created the first steel mill. Steel production rose steadily in subsequent years. During World War II, Von Roll provides much of the supply to Switzerland with iron and steel.
Von Roll areal is the central element of long-term spatial development strategy, 3012 (see policies). Mit dem internationalen Architekturwettbewerb wurde ein erster entscheidender Schritt in der Bebauungsplanung dieses Areals getan. With the international architectural competition, a first crucial step in the development planning of this area was done. In einem nächsten Schritt wird das Projekt überarbeitet, verfeinert und die konkrete Nutzung festgelegt. In a next step, the project will be reviewed, refined and defined the practical use. In Von Roll Areal in Bern will be created a center for education and social sciences. Since 2013, the University will be led by College of Education, in cooperation with the faculty of philosophy, humanities and social sciences. The Government of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland has asked the Supreme Council for a loan of 8.6 million francs for the configuration of the superstructure.
In 1894-97 was created Von Roll AG Gerlafingen in Bern, which is located in the northwestern corner of the area of the liquidated regional factory for machines Länggass AG in Bern. With the opening of the railway in 1860 Muesmatt became an important industrial center. Quickly, the company began construction of new buildings, factories were built within a few years, foundry (1899), workshop (1899/1905/1910) and mechanical workshop (1904). These buildings are with huge arches and large openings. Especially, the impressive facade with classic view of hierarchically elevated relief in front of the factory building. In 1907 was built a large office building with dining room in the basement. Its impressive facade with Art Nouveau decor is facing the street of the factory. In 1915 was completed Weichenbauhalle, exceptional iron structure with a sloping roof and glazing. Although the mill complex, and especially the workshops affected by the adverse numerous changes were repeatedly transformed and expanded the Von Roll areal offers a rare opportunity to see high quality industrial architecture, the result of several decades. By the end of 1997, Von Roll AG transferred its production from Bern to Thun. Intense negotiations were held between the company and the authorities for protection of monuments and new ways of using the areal. The conditional, provisional plan is to preserve the administrative building of the corporate service management of Von Roll AG, since for the foundry building was filed petition for termination. It would be desirable to hold a competition to develop the overall planning.
Strengthening the educational area of Bern is one of the objectives of the strategy to expand the cantons. With the purchase of Von Roll areal about five years ago the county created the conditions for spatial development of the university. Through architectural competition last year emerged redevelopment project for the area. In Von Roll the College of Education, together with the newly formed Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities, will accommodate three Departments of Social Sciences of the University (sociology, political science, media studies). New educational environment and strong growth in student numbers led to this decision. College of Education relies on close cooperation with the University and should therefore be concentrated near the University. With the humanities and social sciences at the university increased the number of students in five years by 30 percent and are expected to rise further by 2013. Their deployment in Von Roll areal can solve pressing spatial problems. The area will be built as a center for education and social sciences with approximately 8,700 students. This will be useful for other branches of the university. The current location of the teachers’ education is used to obtain land of Von Roll and was abandoned thereafter. On the rest of the land is possible at a later stage construction of potential 28,000 sq. m. of gross floor area.