Customised solar façade for ‘Bern 131’
Megasol develops individually coloured PV modules for sustainable landmark in Bern.
Deitingen, 13 May 2025: With the ‘Bern 131’ project, the Bern-based architectural firm Atelier 5 has created a striking building at the entrance to WankdorfCity. The facade of the SNBS Gold-certified building is characterised by specially developed photovoltaic modules from Megasol, whose iridescent blue sheen makes ‘Bern 131’ the new landmark in the north of the federal capital.
Image source: David Yela, the Setrunners GmbH
Solar energy in architectural form
Megasol supplied 1,605 custom-made glass-glass modules with transparent front glass and blue-tinted rear glass for the building envelope. The solar cells are installed so that their blue-shimmering rear side faces the sun – in contrast to the usual black front side. The result: a facade with characteristic colour variation and high energy efficiency. The roof area was supplemented with 468 standardised Megasol M450 modules.
Energy surplus from the building envelope
The system has a total output of 504 kWp. It generates around 341,238 kWh of electricity per year. This means that the building is 88% self-sufficient in energy. Bern 131 is therefore not only an architectural statement, but also a contribution to the active energy transition in an urban context.
Image source: Megasol Energie Ltd.
Architecture with a system
The Bern 131 building complex at Stauffacherstrasse 131 marks the start of development in Bern's new WankdorfCity district. The architectural concept is based on a regular circular arc triangle. This geometry gives rise to stepped steel structures on the ground floor and first floor, as well as a striking attic. An atrium spanning all floors connects the building horizontally. The building is designed as a hybrid timber construction – 98% of the wood used comes from the canton of Bern.
Development of customised solar modules
Megasol Energy Ltd. developed the solar modules in close cooperation with Atelier 5. Eight different designs were presented in several sampling stages to aid decision-making – with two cell types, three glass variants, three colours and a translucent option. This careful selection enabled an optimal balance between aesthetics and efficiency to be achieved.
‘The facade is not only an important architectural element that characterises the building, but also a functional component for energy generation. The joint development of the PV modules with Megasol has made it possible to combine both aspects at a high level.’
Florian Lünstedt, architect and partner at Atelier 5
Image source: Losinger Marazzi SA
Glare-free solar technology for maximum safety
The exposed location of the building in the middle of a busy motorway junction placed special demands on the reflective properties of the facade. For official approval, it had to be proven that no safety-relevant glare would occur. The Bern Institute for Solar Technology (SPF) tested the ‘Fjord’ glass developed by Megasol in 2022 and 2023. The test reports confirmed that there were no undesirable reflections. This meant that the planned glass could be used without restrictions.
A showcase project for sustainable construction
Bern 131 is a prime example of how architectural expression, technological innovation and ecological responsibility can be combined to form a holistic concept. The combination of locally sourced materials, forward-looking energy technology and precise design language makes the project a benchmark for sustainable urban development.
About Megasol Energy Ltd.
Megasol is a leading Swiss manufacturer of solar modules and system solutions for building-integrated photovoltaics. With its own production facilities in Switzerland and an international presence, Megasol develops innovative solar roof and façade systems that combine technological excellence with architectural sophistication.
Contact for media enquiries:
Martina Hickethier, Head of Marketing, +41 62 919 90 77, martina.hickethier@megasol.ch
