Jardin Métropole

Jardin Métropole, a competition-winning design by HHF for a 30-meter-high apartment tower in the Biel community of Mett, has now reached its final height. With its distinctive shape – composed of three differently sized cubes piled up at different angles – and the adjoining green public space, the Jardin Métropole is destined to become the symbol of Mett and contribute to the area’s enhancement.

The geometry and alignment of the discrete volumes relate to the neighboring buildings. The freestanding building constitutes the beginning of the new park-like passage to Rue du Moulin. The design builds on the theme of the city garden. Each apartment has access to different green spaces: separate gardens with private planting beds, a shared roof terrace, and landscaped loggias are self-evident offerings for all the residents.

The photovoltaic modules that are integrated in the loft-like facade, which is dominated by horizontal ribbon windows, generate a large portion of the energy needed to serve the apartments and the service-sector commercial areas planned for the two bottom stories.

The tower building stands in the tradition of taller expressive buildings in Biel, like the well-known “La Rotonde” in proximity of the train station. Taking a cue from that building, the public ground-floor zone of the Jardin Métropole, with its bakery and café, has a circular plan.

The construction – after being approved by the inhabitants of Biel/Bienne in a public vote – began in June 2021, and is due to be finalised in June 2023.