A high-quality foundation for a state-of-the-art medical clinic

The new Anna-Seiler-Haus in Bern is one of the most modern and attractive hospital buildings in Switzerland. The new main building, which opened in 2023, offers optimal working conditions and creates the perfect environment for a patient-oriented, state-of-the-art university clinic. Visitors, patients and staff benefit from short walking lines, clear structures, central nodes and optimized processes. The fact that the Anna-Seiler-Haus has a spacious architecture, plenty of daylight and views of the green surroundings also makes it a very pleasant environment in which to spend time. The noracare seneo floor covering, about 23,000 m2 of which was laid in the thoroughfares and recreation areas, also contributes to this atmosphere.

The high-quality surface has been specially developed for areas with the strictest hygiene requirements and intensive use of disinfectants. noracare seneo is stain-resistant and fully disinfectable. The pleasant atmosphere in the clinic also benefits from the silk-matt surface and harmoniously balanced color palette of noracare seneo. The floor covering never needs to be treated or coated, which facilitates the organization of maintenance and saves considerable follow-up costs over time.

Decision makers face major challenges when it comes to maintaining floor coverings in clinics, especially in high-traffic areas. "We usually cannot close off these areas and so have to clean them while they are in use," says Rudolf Pfaffen, head of Special Cleaning in the clinic's Facility Services department. "Floor coverings with coatings that need to be renewed regularly are therefore less suitable."

The Swiss clinic discovered noracare seneo shortly after the floor covering was launched in 2021 and decided to install a test surface. Since the experiences with durability, hygiene and chemical resistance were positive, the decision-makers opted for large-scale use of the floor covering. This proved to be a success, as the floor is very easy to clean. "We clean the surfaces twice a week with a machine and a neutral detergent," says Pfaffen. "The maintenance costs are low and the floors look immaculate."

Another advantage is that noracare seneo has low rolling resistance, so that even heavy
equipment and beds can be moved around easily. At the same time, the permanent elasticity of the upholstery makes it very comfortable to walk on.

noracare seneo also impresses in terms of environmental compatibility and compatibility with the circular economy. This makes the floor covering perfectly suited for this building, which was built according to the Swiss Minergie-P Eco standard to conserve resources and protect the global climate. "noracare floors are extremely durable and have a lifespan of 30 years or more," says Martina Hoock, Senior Segment Manager Healthcare and Education for the DACH region at nora. "The color laid in the Inselspital clinic is also Cradle to Cradle Gold certified and fully recyclable." The fact that noracare floors are non-hazardous and free of PVC, chlorinated polymers and phthalate plasticizers makes them the ideal choice for hospitals. They are also low-emission and contribute to good indoor air quality.