In 1982, the City of Bern acquired the former Chocolat Tobler factory in the Länggass district, recognizing its potential as a university site. From 1986 to 1993, architects (Clémençon Herren Roost) carried out a sensitive transformation—demolishing parts, preserving industrial heritage elements, and creating a leafy courtyard around the Faculty of Humanities. The new Unitobler complex, including the striking multi-level library built into the courtyard basement with glass brick entry and soaring book towers, officially opened in 1993. It became a prominent example of adaptive reuse—earning the Wakker Prize in 1997—and remains the humanities hub with one of its architectural gems being the Unitobler library (Basisbibliothek Unitobler or BTO.
