Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx The Parliament Building. A view of an ideal Switzerland. 12 93 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 2-3 12 20.07.12 11:35 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 93 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:41 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx The Swiss Parliament Building has dominated Bern’s skyline for veys by the renowned General Dufour. This was the geographic more than a century, and despite the passage of time, continues vision of Switzerland at a time when Hans Auer designed our Par- to attract visitors in increasing numbers. Every year, more than liament Building. one hundred thousand visitors come to discover the secrets of The architect Hans Auer dreamt of giving shape to an eternal the Federal Assembly, perhaps hoping to see members of parlia- Switzerland. With the help of the best Swiss craftsmen and artists, ment. Foreign tourists and Swiss nationals are impressed by the he carved a monumental and captivating allegory of the Swiss successful combination of original architecture, inspired by the state in granite, marble, serpentine and molasse from the differ- Florentine Renaissance, and the decidedly contemporary design ent regions of Switzerland. of the structures completed in 2008. The latest renovation to the building attempted to reflect the builder’s original vision. The sun shines through the glass roofing Crowned by Helvetia and colossal stained-glass windows on the third floor, reaching With eleven window bays on each of the three storeys, arched the heart of the building. The members of parliament can now openings, paired windows and an attic concealing the roof struc- contemplate from their work area the six monumental sculptures ture, the imposing front facade of the Parliament Building has symbolising the Swiss people that overlook the south facade. symmetry and balance. The group of sculptures located above And it is with a sense of pride that they welcome foreign delega- the pediment, with Helvetia at their peak, form a triangle with the tions in the newly renovated conference room with its glass roof. two statues flanking the main storey. “Only the separation of pow- Even the lift shafts have become transparent, and the technical fit- ers can ensure freedom and peace among the Swiss people.” tings which are essential to a well-functioning modern parliament This is the symbolic message conveyed by the five female figures. are concealed behind walls, under floors and in lawmakers’ desks. Whereas the north facade portrays the state, the Federal Con- stitution and the institution of parliament, the south facade depicts The Renaissance chamber the everyday life and work of the people, honouring the guilds Hans Auer captured the golden age of the Old Swiss Confederacy involved in the construction of the Parliament Building, as well as shortly after the Swiss victories over the Duchy of Burgundy. He the cantons, whose painted coats of arms stand out along a used the style and materials from an era of splendour that left its frieze of fruit and leaf garlands above a narrow cornice. Five large mark on Swiss cities. To illustrate the continuity between the old arched windows look out to the Alpine foothills and the Bernese Confederacy and the new Confederation, the architect recreated Alps, and above them, five figures of the messenger goddess a council chamber from the early 16th century for the cantonal Iris appear to reach out to bear tidings from parliament to the far representatives in the Council of States. reaches of the country. The chandelier with 208 light bulbs highlights the rectangular severity of the room, whose north-facing windows look out onto The Dufour Map and Auer’s Parliament Building Federal Square. Your gaze is quickly drawn to the 150 people Before entering the building, visitors can admire the breathtaking depicted in the fresco which extends almost eleven metres along view of the River Aare from the terrace of the Federal Palace. the wall facing the desk of the Council President. The painting de- Passing under the vaulted roof of the terrace, they then enter a picts an outdoor public assembly, the forerunner of Switzerland’s spacious, well-lit hall to come face-to face with the Dufour Map, direct democracy. The painting and the dates carved into the prominently exhibited on a brass-plated wall. This historic map, wood panels bear witness to the tradition which the small cham- measuring 3.5 by 2.5 metres, is based on 25 topographical sur- ber represents. 94 95 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 4-5 94 20.07.12 11:41 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 95 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:41 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx A touch of modernity By contrast, on the south side of the building the National Council A book of stone chamber, with its huge glass ceiling, impressive stonework, sump- The Parliament Building is like a book fashioned from stone, wood tuous stucco and ornamental ironwork, appears to welcome new and iron that bears testimony to the utopia of a state created by a ideas. Its balconies, galleries and boxes for foreign diplomats are common will. Behind the stone walls and beneath the dome, in its reminiscent of an Italian theatre. However, the marble sculptures underground passages, its chambers and numerous rooms, the of legendary characters Wilhelm Tell and Gertrud Stauffacher sit Federal Assembly, which is constantly torn between the four lin- impassively in the high niches to the left and right of the large guistic regions’ thirst for autonomy and their will to forge a com- panorama of the Rütli meadow. mon destiny, tirelessly recreates our Confederation. Indeed, as The lobby which follows the curve of the back wall of the Na- soon as the members of parliament believe they have reached the tional Council chamber Is reminiscent of an opera lobby with its end of their quest, Switzerland has already changed and presents luxuriant ceiling paintings and ornate capitals. This is where mem- them with fresh challenges. bers of parliament receive their guests and mix with lobbyists and journalists. This ceremonial room is also where alliances are forged Marie-José Portmann | Translation by Corinne Dill and strategies developed. Under the dome Occupying the place of honour at the centre of the building, a vast hall in the shape of a cross lies beneath the large dome. The 200 members of the National Council and the 46 members of the Council of States pass through here to reach their respective chambers. Both chambers are of equal standing; the structure of the building is the unequivocal expression of the perfect two- chamber system of Swiss parliament. The dome is the emblem of the Swiss parliament, with its oc- tagonal lantern that recalls the bonfires lit on mountains when danger threatened. Auer saw parliament as a beacon, guiding the people and the cantons towards the common good. Highest honour Being called to Bern to sit under the dome is therefore the high- est honour a Swiss citizen can receive. Switzerland’s enlightened minds and driving forces meet here four times a year, at the be- ginning of each season. And should they ever forget their duty to preserve national cohesion, the three Confederates in the art nouveau statue facing the main entrance will be sure to remind them of it. 96 97 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 6-7 96 20.07.12 11:41 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 97 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:41 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 18 19 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 8-9 18 20.07.12 11:35 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 19 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:35 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 26 27 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 10-11 26 20.07.12 11:36 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 27 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:36 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 48 49 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 12-13 48 20.07.12 11:38 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 49 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:38 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 36 37 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 14-15 36 20.07.12 11:37 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 37 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:37 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 86 87 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 16-17 86 20.07.12 11:40 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 87 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:40 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 100 101 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 18-19 100 20.07.12 11:41 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 101 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:41 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 24 25 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 20-21 24 20.07.12 11:35 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 25 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3311:36 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 110 111 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 22-23 110 20.07.12 11:42 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 111 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3411:42 Parlament_Buch_20.6.12 Status: Entwurf_für Promacx 114 115 Englisch.inddParl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 24-25 114 20.07.12 11:42 Parl_Buch_12_07_pmx.indd 115 05.09.1220.07.12 08:3411:42.