20090125

Bern Bahnhofplatz glass canopy


I took this photo of the new Bern canopy (Baldachin) from the second level of the Hauptbahnhof (as seen in yesterday's photo), with a fiercely bright sun backlighting the scene. So again, not a very good photo. However, I'm quite enamoured of the construction and this is about the extent of what I could manage photographically. I hope you are not too bored as I document this for myself. A different photo is at my overflow blog (link here): please feel free to vote on your preferred one. I actually like the other one better, but I thought this would do better as a thumbnail.


  • combination of marchwell/BSR architekten/Atelier 5 projects chosen
  • 2006 approval granted for the construction
  • January 2007 ground-breaking
  • 400 construction workers involved
  • 120 tonnes of glass in the canopy
  • 2350m² glass surface
  • 85m long, (11 to 41)m wide, and (3 to 10)m high framework
  • 230 tonnes of steel
  • 500 days for the entire project
  • 2300m of replacement tram tracks
  • 500 bicycle parking spots underground
Source: Ankommen in Bern, by Bernhard Giger and Hansueli Trachsel.
Additional photos and information at: bern.bahnhofplatz.ch (in German). Check out some of the movie clips, such as that of the glass installation (link here).

20090122

7 comments:

brattcat said...

Not bored at all. I really enjoy your photo blog.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Interesting stuff and image. Like a Technical Drawing.

Anonymous said...

This is, I think, and interesting photo.

Baron's Life said...

Dear Z
Thanks for the great pic but also the statistics you included. It makes more sense to digest the picture when you know the story behind it....a bit like a good story.
Thanks for sharing this.

Joan Elizabeth said...

A very intriquing shot.

Anonymous said...

Not bored at all.
Thanks to share.
Thanks to keep the good work.

Karen said...

Great photo.. the architecture is awesome.