2010

Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland

The Inselspital in Bern is one of the largest hospitals in Switzerland. It consists of several hospitals, all under a single administration, located within a closed urban perimeter near Bern’s old town center. Founded in 1354, the Inselspital has deeper ties to the local population than many other institutions. Based on an urban and architectural analysis, the approach was to divide the site into five zones. Each zone is identified by a color created by layering transparent shades and varies depending on the application and medium. Information intended for staff is distinguished by a neutral background (shades of gray). Color serves as a tool for identification, wayfinding, and content organization. Complemented by a specific, clear typography, “visual cues,” and iconographic pictograms, the graphic language expresses the diversity of the site and aims to reintroduce the human element into the wayfinding system, helping people find their way without always having to read the information. Due to its spatial complexity and its essential urban approach, the project thus goes far beyond the scope of a conventional signage problem. The vast space of the site is considered not as a facility or a place of passage, but as a city and a place where one can stay for several weeks, or even several months. The numbering of the buildings, for example, follows the logic of street numbering on a municipal street. This system thus allows for natural, almost familiar navigation and consequently connects this “special” place to the city and to everyday life. Design

team — Ruedi Baur, Simon Burkart, Antje Kolm