Village Center Hinterkappelen

Hinterkappelen is part of the municipality of Wohlen near Bern but functions as an independent village. Starting from the valuable building fabric of the historic hamlet and a partly very small-scale parcel structure, the potential for inward development was explored.

The development concept for the village-like Hinterkappelen envisions gentle densification with small-scale structural additions along the historic network of paths. The partially lost courtyard structure along the village street is to be restored. Complementary new buildings, together with the existing farmhouses, form a courtyard structure. The courtyard serves as a representative entrance and access area and an attractive meeting point for the various neighborhoods. Despite densification, the open construction style and free arrangement of the buildings maintain the connection to the surrounding landscape. The buildings have a village character. The focus is on ground-related housing types. Important elements of the building design include pitched roofs, window openings, and wooden facades. The buildings have a maximum of three floors. The inner areas of the building plots remain green due to their orientation toward the street, and the existing orchards are preserved. There is a fine-meshed network of paths, including a connection to the school building. Adjacent to the school facility, a new village park is being created. This structure of inner green spaces also compensates for changes in elevation.

Because the existing parcel layout forms the starting point, there are no dependencies among the individual landowners. This promotes a slow, gradual, gentle, and location-specific development.