#Apartment block #Biel/Bienne #1929
Murtenstraße 59 / Mattenstrasse 2-8
2502
Biel/Bienne,
Switzerland
Public transport: Bahnhof / Central train station
Today's use: Apartments
Description
The ensemble in the Murtenstraße and Mattenstraße was built in the era of "red Biel/Bienne", which was mainly characterized by the redevelopment of the railroad station area, whose modern architecture was to be expressed mainly by flat roofs and horizontally emphasized window bands. The vertical window bands of the staircases serve as a contrast. The color scheme was subject to the approval of the building authorities too.
Due to criticism of the strict specifications, more freedom was granted to the streets adjacent to the station area, so projecting balconies became possible, but also a more colorful color scheme as seen in this ensemble.
Description
The ensemble in the Murtenstraße and Mattenstraße was built in the era of "red Biel/Bienne", which was mainly characterized by the redevelopment of the railroad station area, whose modern architecture was to be expressed mainly by flat roofs and horizontally emphasized window bands. The vertical window bands of the staircases serve as a contrast. The color scheme was subject to the approval of the building authorities too.
Due to criticism of the strict specifications, more freedom was granted to the streets adjacent to the station area, so projecting balconies became possible, but also a more colorful color scheme as seen in this ensemble.
History
During the century, the ensemble of houses was restored (with neutral beige tones) and its original facade design was forgotten.
Since there were no color photographs in the 1930s, it was only possible to infer that the facade might have been colored by looking at the shades of gray in the photographs.
The restorer Hans-Jürg Gerber examined the facade of the corner house at Murtenstrasse 59 on behalf of the Department for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and found what he was looking for. As a result of a courageous decision by the building owner, and not without criticism, the house was able to regain its original orange.
It is no coincidence that the orange house is the eye-catcher of the ensemble; it was originally intended to be an accent in the form of a tower in the visual axis of Johann-Verresius-Strasse.
The sequence orange, green, yellow, blue is a complementary color play, where the orange is an intentional shift (instead of red). The building inventory paper speaks of an overall design concept.
History
During the century, the ensemble of houses was restored (with neutral beige tones) and its original facade design was forgotten.
Since there were no color photographs in the 1930s, it was only possible to infer that the facade might have been colored by looking at the shades of gray in the photographs.
The restorer Hans-Jürg Gerber examined the facade of the corner house at Murtenstrasse 59 on behalf of the Department for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and found what he was looking for. As a result of a courageous decision by the building owner, and not without criticism, the house was able to regain its original orange.
It is no coincidence that the orange house is the eye-catcher of the ensemble; it was originally intended to be an accent in the form of a tower in the visual axis of Johann-Verresius-Strasse.
The sequence orange, green, yellow, blue is a complementary color play, where the orange is an intentional shift (instead of red). The building inventory paper speaks of an overall design concept.
Sources
