Rooftop Terrace Design · Bern
From Kirchenfeld to Gümligen
Berlin-based manufactory delivering rooftop terrace concepts to Bern's most discerning heritage villas and southern villa estates, with plant design, outdoor kitchens and snow-rated wellness architecture under one curatorial hand.
Why Bern is different
Swiss federal capital light, UNESCO Old Town rigour, and the Aare rhythm
Bern is the Swiss federal capital and host to the world's oldest functioning democratic federal-government quarter, with UNESCO-protected Old Town status. Kirchenfeld and Elfenau form the historic HNWI villa belt; Marzili anchors the Aare-front residential zone; Muri bei Bern and Gümligen represent the southern villa estate tradition. Climate is humid continental moderated by the Aare and lake Thun – warm humid summers, cold snowy winters, foehn wind events. The Stadt Bern Bauinspektorat and Denkmalpflege protect heritage interventions.
We work in this tension daily: with SIA-registered architects and structural engineers, with Stadt Bern Bauinspektorat and Denkmalpflege consultants, and with the lifestyle expectations of Bern clients between Kirchenfeld and Elfenau heritage villas, Marzili Aare-front residences, Muri bei Bern and Gümligen estates, Köniz, Spiegel and Wabern suburban properties, and Bernese Oberland mountain chalets. Our role is the plant and outdoor lifestyle layer – ecological substrate, Swiss prealpine curation, and the wellness elements (sunset terrace, outdoor kitchen, sauna pavilion, fire pit) that turn a Bern rooftop into a year-round sanctuary.
Our Bern approach
Curated plants, ecological substrate, lifestyle integration
- Symbiosis methodology – mycorrhizal partnerships, effective microorganisms and humus building replace chemical fertilisation under Swiss four-season cycling and Aare humidity.
- Swiss prealpine palette – structural specimens (oak, beech, larch, mountain ash, juvenile pine), Swiss prealpine evergreens (juniper, dwarf pine, boxwood, holly), flowering accents (rhododendron, mountain laurel, hydrangea, peony), Alpine perennials, Swiss chalet plants.
- Wellness architecture – sunset terrace, outdoor kitchen, sauna pavilion and fire pit integration with Aare or Bernese Oberland framing.
- UNESCO- and snow-aware execution – SIA-registered architects and structural engineers, Stadt Bern Bauinspektorat permitting, Denkmalpflege UNESCO Old Town heritage consent, snow-load-rated detailing.
Areas we serve
Across Bern and the Bernese Oberland
Most of our Bern work is concentrated in Kirchenfeld, Elfenau, Marzili, Muri bei Bern, Gümligen, Köniz, Spiegel, Wabern and the Bernese Oberland. We also handle select Solothurn and Biel/Bienne projects.
How a Bern project unfolds
From first conversation to handover
- 01
Understanding before drawing
Site visit (or detailed remote survey for first conversations from Berlin), discussion of the people and rhythm using the terrace, early constraint mapping (Bauinspektorat, Denkmalpflege UNESCO, snow load, structure).
- 02
Concept and curation
A small set of plant compositions, material moodboards, wellness element placement. Always optionality.
- 03
Engineering and approvals
Load calculations with SIA-registered structural engineer, Stadt Bern Bauinspektorat permitting, Denkmalpflege heritage consent.
- 04
Installation and handover
Our team installs on site over one to several weeks. Plants are sourced from Swiss nurseries and pre-conditioned for the Bern climate. After handover we offer ongoing care subscriptions following the same symbiosis methodology.
Frequently asked
What clients usually want to know first
- Do you work on rooftop terrace projects in Bern?
- Yes. Most of our Bern work is Kirchenfeld, Elfenau, Marzili, Muri bei Bern, Gümligen, Köniz and the Bernese Oberland.
- How do you handle UNESCO Old Town heritage review?
- Through experienced SIA-registered architects and Denkmalpflege-trained consultants. UNESCO Old Town interventions require especially careful early engagement.
- How long does a typical Bern project take?
- Between five and fourteen months from first conversation to handover. Larger Kirchenfeld or Elfenau heritage estates often need eight to fourteen months of planning.
Start a Bern rooftop conversation
The first call is unhurried – understanding before any concept. We travel from Berlin for site visits when the project warrants it.
Get in touch