When a construction project creates space for thousands of people, it needs sustainable solutions. For the new Festhalle Bern, we - the Floors & Coverings team from Weiss+Appetito, together with our experts from Prima-Sol - were able to implement a comprehensive flooring concept that is not only technically impressive, but also sets standards in terms of design.
Over several stages, it became clear that high-quality floors are more than just a functional surface - they are a crucial part of the sense of space, safety and the overall experience for visitors.
Stability starts on the inside: Robust surfaces for events.
The interior load distribution panels supplied by Pegrila AG were installed over a total area of 3,600 m² - partly with and partly without floor heating. They ensure even load distribution where vehicles, superstructures and streams of visitors demand maximum performance on a daily basis.
Our work is particularly impressive in the "Stage" multifunctional hall. A multi-layer flooring system was installed over an area of more than 4,200 m². The first layer was a robust cement-crushed resin mortar flooring - pressure-resistant and load-bearing - as a stable foundation for all further construction layers. The system was supplemented by numerous connections to recessed floor channels and floor boxes to enable flexible interior fittings for events and functions.
This was followed by a seamless, durable PU covering in anthracite gray (RAL 7016), which meets several requirements at once: It is low-maintenance, easy to clean, offers a certain flexibility and at the same time impresses with its high compressive strength. Thanks to its closed surface, it is also hygienic and particularly resistant to mechanical stress and intensive cleaning. The result: a robust and modern flooring solution - ideal for events of any size.
Color, function and comfort - impressive design and technology inside
The interior areas of the Festhalle set visual accents: Especially in the stairwells of the Spangen Stage and Cube, our team demonstrated its full strength in terms of precision and design.
Colored PU floor coverings in sapphire blue (RAL 5003) and purple violet (RAL 4007) were laid on a total area of over 1,000 m² - each combined with a floating screed. This construction provides a stable and sound-absorbing solution, ideal for heavily frequented vertical traffic routes.
A PU floor in dust gray (RAL 7037) was also used in the Cube event hall over an area of 1,100 m². The material used is robust and elegant at the same time - perfect for daily event operations.
Technology meets atmosphere: commercial kitchen and comfort zones
In the basement, a special PU concrete flooring was chosen for the canteen kitchen. This is characterized by extreme resilience and resistance - whether to chemicals, heat, cold or mechanical stress. Temperature ranges of up to +130 °C are no problem for this floor, making it ideal for everyday professional kitchen use.
In addition, a soft contrast was created in selected office spaces: Carpets covering over 400 m², color-coordinated with the overall concept, ensure acoustic calm, walking comfort and a more homely atmosphere - an important factor in a building that aims to impress not only through size, but also through quality.
Creating sustainable solutions together
The new Festhalle Bern is a pioneering venue for major events, culture and encounters - and we are proud to have made an important contribution to the overall experience with our flooring solutions.
The collaboration with HRS Real Estate AG, Prima-Sol AG and other partners made it possible to achieve a result that is aesthetically, technically and functionally of the highest standard. We would like to thank everyone involved for their trust and the strong team spirit that characterized this project.
