The Swiss federal administration is undergoing a significant series of relocations, with thousands of employees set to move to new or renovated facilities in and around Bern. This major organizational shift, driven by a strategy to consolidate federal offices into larger administrative hubs, begins in January with the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) moving 700 staff members to a newly renovated campus in Ittigen.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is moving 700 employees to a renovated Ittigen campus starting in January.
- The move is part of a broader federal strategy to consolidate government offices into centralized hubs to improve efficiency.
- Multiple major construction and renovation projects are underway, with budgets totaling over CHF 300 million.
- Vacated federal buildings are being repurposed for housing, education, and other government uses, impacting multiple municipalities.
FOEN Moves to Renovated Ittigen Campus
The first major move involves the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), which will relocate its entire staff of approximately 700 employees. The process will begin in January and is scheduled to be completed by March.
The new headquarters for FOEN is located at Mühlestrasse 2 in Ittigen. This building is a central part of the newly established campus for the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), led by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti. The move will consolidate four of DETEC's seven offices onto this single campus, with two others located nearby in Ittigen.
A Troubled Building Gets a Second Chance
The building at Mühlestrasse 2 has a complex history. Inaugurated in 2006 as an innovative wood and concrete pilot project, it soon became known for significant structural and functional problems. Employees reported issues including cold offices, slippery stairs, and leaks in the basement. More serious structural deficiencies were also identified.
To address these long-standing issues, the federal government allocated a substantial budget for its overhaul. The renovation has now been completed, preparing the facility for its new occupants.
The move will be conducted in phases. According to FOEN, employees currently working at Worblentalstrasse 68 in Ittigen will be the first to relocate. They will be followed by staff from the office at Monbijoustrasse 40 in Bern, with all moves finalized by the end of March.
Renovation by the Numbers
- CHF 55 million: Total budget for the renovation and conversion of the Mühlestrasse 2 building.
- CHF 23 million: Portion of the budget specifically for remediation of structural defects.
- Upgrades: The project included creating more workspaces, installing a modern cafeteria, and bringing the building up to the Minergie energy efficiency standard.
Repurposing Vacated Federal Properties
The relocation of hundreds of federal employees frees up significant real estate in Bern, Ittigen, and Zollikofen. The federal government and other entities have outlined clear plans for the future of these properties, reflecting a shift in urban land use.
From Offices to Apartments in Ittigen
The former FOEN office building at Worblentalstrasse 68 in Ittigen is slated for a major transformation. Publica, the federal pension fund, intends to convert the commercial property into a residential building containing 135 apartments. This project aims to address housing needs in the area but is still pending final approval from the Ittigen municipal assembly.
Educational Hub at Monbijoustrasse
In Bern, the federal government will retain ownership of the vacated FOEN offices at Monbijoustrasse 40. This prominent location is set to become the new home for the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET). The university, currently based in Zollikofen, is expected to complete its move by 2029.
Uncertain Future for Zollikofen Campus
The departure of SFUVET will, in turn, free up its current campus in Zollikofen. The Canton of Bern had previously expressed strong interest in acquiring these school facilities, making an inquiry in the summer of 2023. However, the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL) initially declined the request.
According to the FOBL, it is still assessing whether another federal department has a need for the Zollikofen property. If no internal need is identified, the agency has indicated that a temporary lease of the premises from 2030 might be possible.
A Cascade of Moves Across the Administration
The FOEN relocation is just the beginning of a wider reshuffling of the federal administration. Several other large-scale moves are planned for the coming years as part of the government's centralization strategy.
Key Upcoming Federal Relocations
- Department of Defence (DDPS): 1,200 employees will move to a new CHF 130 million administrative center at Guisanplatz in Bern, expected to be ready by summer 2025.
- Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS): Staff will temporarily relocate to a new building in Zollikofen to allow for a CHF 93 million renovation of their current headquarters near the Kleine Schanze in Bern, scheduled for completion in 2027.
- Federal Finance Administration (FFA): Employees from the FFA and the General Secretariat of the Finance Department will move into a renovated historic building at Bollwerk in Bern after a CHF 17 million refurbishment.
New Administrative Center at Guisanplatz
One of the largest projects is the construction of a new administrative building at Guisanplatz in Bern. This six-story facility, built at a cost of CHF 130 million, will provide workspace for 1,200 employees from the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The building is the final piece of a larger administrative complex in the area and is scheduled to open next summer.
Major Renovation for Customs Agency
In approximately one year, employees of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) will also be packing their boxes. Their current building at Taubenstrasse 16, located below the Kleine Schanze, is scheduled for a comprehensive renovation costing CHF 93 million, set to be finished in 2027.
During the renovation, FOCBS staff will be temporarily housed in a new administrative center at Eichenweg 7 in Zollikofen. This site already hosts the Federal Office for Information Technology and Telecommunication (FOITT) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Historic Bollwerk Building Gets an Upgrade
A federally owned building at Bollwerk in Bern, recently vacated by the BLS railway company, is also being prepared for new government tenants. The historic structure, built in 1903, will undergo a CHF 17 million renovation. Once complete, it will house employees from the Federal Finance Administration and the General Secretariat of the Federal Department of Finance.
These coordinated moves underscore the federal government's long-term goal of consolidating its administration into larger, more efficient centers within the Bern agglomeration to leverage synergies and modernize its infrastructure.