Tramdepot Bern

Bern | Switzerland

The construction project

After several years of construction, the Bolligenstrasse tram depot was opened in 2011 by “Bernmobil”, the transport company of the Swiss federal city of Bern.

The building, which is about the size of two football fields, has space for 28 trams. Work is currently underway to expand the building so that once completed there will be space for 60 trams.

Due to its architecture and the space-saving, controllable lifting gates from Hodapp, the large garage is also called “Papillon” – butterfly.

Project as PDF for download

Product-specific requirements for doors:

  • Resistance to wind load

Technical data:

  • Architectural firm: Penzel Valier AG
  • Budget: 100.000.000 Swiss francs
  • Hall area: approx. 14.000 m²
  • Maximum capacity: 60 trams

Special features of the gate construction:

The main features of the automatic lifting gates used were the lack of supports and thus the fact that the gates were only attached in the lintel area of ​​the structure. In particular, the deflection or roof subsidence of max. 20 cm had to be taken into account. Other important factors such as the type of guide, the drive and control technology and general safety were crucial when selecting the gate construction.

In addition to the technical requirements, there were further architectural requirements, which stipulated that when the gates were closed, only a profiled glass facade without gate technology could be seen. New approaches were taken here and the glass was made from single-pane safety glass (Sekurit) and laminated safety glass.

These glass units ensure maximum safety and protection for people in the immediate vicinity of the glazed gates in the event of glass damage.

With the inclined parapet surface and the special facade design, additional sealing levels had to be created that had to be functionally reliable even in winter conditions.

The gates' upper guides were constructed using high-quality steel linear guide products. Only with the matching 3D roller systems was it possible to accommodate the radial and axial loads in the smallest possible space.

When the gates are open, the upper half of the gate leaf protrudes above the roof surface (see photo above), which is why wind loads and other weather influences had to be taken into account in the statics.

Drive technology:

The drive technology presented a particular challenge due to the limited installation space. The hydraulic drive technology originally requested by the customer could not be implemented due to the lack of installation space.

These glass units ensure maximum safety and protection for people in the immediate vicinity of the glazed gates in the event of glass damage.

With the inclined parapet surface and the special facade design, additional sealing levels had to be created that had to be functionally reliable even in winter conditions.

The gates' upper guides were constructed using high-quality steel linear guide products. Only with the matching 3D roller systems was it possible to accommodate the radial and axial loads in the smallest possible space.

When the gates are open, the upper half of the gate leaf protrudes above the roof surface (see photo above), which is why other weather influences had to be taken into account in addition to wind loads in the static calculation.