Residential and commercial building at Thunstrasse 14

About the building

On Thunstrasse, the main axis of Kirchenfeld, number 14 is an apartment house of 1893. It was built by the Bern master builder H. Frischknecht for J. Schlätti, described in the inventory as a man of private means. Originally the house formed a uniform block edge together with Mottastrasse 1–5; the corner house at Mottastrasse 1, however, was replaced by an office building in the mid-1950s.

The building shows neo-Renaissance forms and has a mansard roof. Towards Thunstrasse the ground floor is banded and rusticated in render, the two upper floors are smooth, and rusticated pilasters frame the front. The tall windows have simple sandstone surrounds, with apron panels on the ground floor. The roof rests on a bracketed cornice and opens in dormers with triangular pediments.

The tower-like projection to the north is striking. It has four storeys and a single bay and ends in a pyramid roof. Below it matches the rest of the street front, but its top storey is built in exposed brick and has a triple window with round arches; above that comes a knee wall emphasised by brackets. On the side façade there is a bay of balconies, and a shop building added at the side links the house to its neighbour.

Over time the house has been altered several times: attic rooms were added in 1975 and a glass veranda in 1981, which was removed again in 2005 when new balcony supports and railings were built on the courtyard side. From 2007 to 2011 historically informed repairs followed. The house is worthy of protection and has been secured by a protection agreement since 2005. From the street, look at the brick top storey of the tower with its three arched windows.

Researched and summarised by Bärn Kit. Sources: Bauinventar der Stadt Bern: Thunstrasse 14 · Wikidata: Q128530301 · Bauinventar der Stadt Bern: Baugruppe Kirchenfeld