Berner Heimatschutz

What Berner Heimatschutz does

Berner Heimatschutz is a nonprofit heritage protection association (Verein) registered in Canton Bern, Switzerland, operating as the regional section of Schweizer Heimatschutz (Swiss Heritage Protection). Its mission is the preservation of architectural heritage and building culture (Baukultur) in Canton Bern. The organization delivers four core service lines: (1) Bauberatung — building consultation for cantonal/municipal authorities, private property owners, and institutions on heritage protection matters; (2) Beitragsvermittlung and crowdfunding — brokering financial contributions and leading campaigns for specific preservation projects (e.g., the CHF 35,000 Bohlspycher renovation in Habkern); (3) Publication programs including the "Akzent Baukultur" series (CHF 15-25 per issue), the "BauKulturErbe" monograph series (7 volumes to date), annual reports, and regional calendars; and (4) Events and excursions such as ArchitekTOUR historic bus tours, the annual Forum "Dialog für Klimaschutz, Energiewende, Baukultur" co-hosted with SIA Bern and BSA Bern (~250 participants), and the Schoggitaler annual collection campaign.

The organization operates through a federation of seven regional groups (Grand Chasseral, Oberaargau, Burgdorf Emmental, Thun Kandertal Simmental Saanen, Interlaken Oberhasli, Biel Seeland, Bern Mittelland) coordinated by a central Geschäftsstelle in Bern (Kramgasse 12) under president Luc Mentha. Revenue is generated from individual membership subscriptions, publication sales (Shopify-powered online shop with Wallee payment processing), donations and legacies processed through PCI-DSS-certified RaiseNow, and event fees. Its technology stack is entirely third-party SaaS — TYPO3 CMS, Google Analytics, Google Maps, CleverReach for newsletter distribution, with no proprietary technology or AI components. Membership and headcount figures are not publicly disclosed; the organization is governance-led (Vorstand) with a small professional office and large volunteer base through regional groups.

The organization derives strategic influence from its formal standing in cantonal planning consultations and its right to file legally consequential objections (Einsprachen). Documented regulatory successes include blocking the demolition of the Tscharnergut Fellerstrasse 30 residential building (2021), halting the demolition of a historic RUAG munitions factory in Thun (2023), contributing to the abandonment of the Biel Westast tunnel project (2020), and influencing the redesign of the Wankdorf traffic node (2022). The geographic scope was modestly contracted in January 2026 when the municipality of Moutier transferred from Canton Bern to Canton Jura, moving some heritage assets outside BHS's jurisdiction.

Name

Berner Heimatschutz

Legal name

Berner Heimatschutz

Website

https://bernerheimatschutz.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Berner Heimatschutz is a nonprofit heritage protection association and regional section of Swiss Heritage Protection (Schweizer Heimatschutz), serving Canton Bern, Switzerland. It provides building consultation, advocacy, publications, and events through seven regional groups to preserve architectural heritage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Protection Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (712120), Architectural Services (541310)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural, Heritage & Arts Travel Agencies (THAKAFAK), A-Frames & Architectural Retreats (THAMADAE)

Keywords

• Heritage protection
• Building consultation
• Cultural preservation
• Architectural advocacy
• Regional association

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees from individual members who support the organization's mission to preserve cultural heritage and building culture in Canton Bern. Members receive newsletters, can participate in events, and support regional group activities.
2. Publication sales: Sale of publications including the 'Akzent Baukultur' series (CHF 20-25 per book), annual reports (Jahresberichte), and the 'BauKulturErbe' series (Band 7: Historische Postautos). Publications cover architectural heritage topics and building culture in the Bern region.
3. Donations and legacies: Collection of donations and acceptance of legacies (Legate) from supporters. Crowdfunding campaigns are occasionally organized for specific preservation projects, such as the Bohlspycher renovation requiring CHF 35,000.
4. Event revenue: Revenue from organized events including excursions, tours (such as ArchitekTOUR in historic buses), and exhibition visits. Events often include lunch and aperitifs as part of the experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Berner Heimatschutz is a nonprofit association (Verein) that advocates for architectural heritage and building culture (Baukultur) in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, as a regional section of the Swiss Heritage Protection (Schweizer Heimatschutz). It provides building consultation (Bauberatung) to authorities, private individuals, and institutions; publishes books and reports on regional architectural heritage; organizes excursions, exhibitions, and forums; files objections in heritage-related planning decisions; and runs fundraising campaigns such as the annual Schoggitaler.

Product overview

Berner Heimatschutz ist eine Non-Profit-Organisation (Verein) für Baukultur im Kanton Bern, organisiert als Regionalgruppe des Schweizer Heimatschutzes. Das Leistungsangebot umfasst Beratungsdienstleistungen (Bauberatung, Beitragsvermittlung, Spezialthemen wie Schindeldächer und Trockenmauern) sowie Publikationen und Veranstaltungen. Die Kernprodukte sind: die Bauberatung für Behörden, Private und Institutionen; das jährliche Forum «Dialog für Klimaschutz, Energiewende und Baukultur» (zusammen mit SIA Bern und BSA Bern); die Reihe «Wertvolle Bauten» für die breite Öffentlichkeit; sowie die BauKulturErbe-Publikationsreihe (7 Bände zu regionalem Kulturerbe). Ergänzend bietet der Verein Publikationen (Jahresberichte, Akzent Baukultur-Hefte), einen Veranstaltungskalender mit Exkursionen und Führungen, das «Schoggitaler»-Sammelprojekt, und «Ferien im Baudenkmal». Die Organisation gliedert sich in 7 Regionalgruppen (Grand Chasseral, Oberaargau, Burgdorf Emmental, Thun Kandertal Simmental Saanen, Interlaken Oberhasli, Biel Seeland, Bern Mittelland) mit einer zentralen Geschäftsstelle in Bern.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bauberatung (Building Consultation) Expert consultation service on building culture (Baukultur) and heritage preservation for cantonal and municipal authorities, private property owners, and institutions. Building advisors (Bauberatende) act as primary contacts for questions regarding heritage protection, renovation, restoration, and preservation.
• Beitragsvermittlung (Contribution Mediation) Mediation of financial contributions (Beiträge) to support projects in the areas of building culture and monument preservation, channeling funds from members, donors, and partners to specific preservation initiatives in Canton Bern.
• Schindeldächer (Shingle Roof Consultation) Specialized consultation and support on Schindeldächer (shingle roofs) as a traditional building element within the framework of heritage protection, advising property owners on the preservation and restoration of historic shingle roofing systems.
• Trockenmauern (Dry Stone Wall Consultation) Specialized consultation and support on Trockenmauern (dry stone walls) as a traditional element of building culture and landscape preservation, advising property owners on the conservation of these heritage landscape features.
• Reihe «Wertvolle Bauten» (Valuable Buildings Publication Series) Publication series aimed at introducing valuable and interesting architectural works across the Canton of Bern to the broader public, raising awareness of regional building culture and heritage architecture.
• Forum «Dialog für Klimaschutz, Energiewende und Baukultur» Annual symposium bringing together approximately 250 participants from architecture, construction, the energy sector, and administration to discuss climate protection, energy transition, and building culture. Co-organized with SIA Bern and BSA Bern.
• BauKulturErbe (Building Cultural Heritage Publication Series) Publication series of the Bern Mittelland regional group documenting and publishing on the cultural heritage of the Bern region. Seven volumes have been published covering topics including Köniz, trams and buses, Bümpliz-Bethlehem, Mühleberg, Europaplatz, postmodern Bern, and historical Swiss postal buses.
• Akzent Baukultur (Regional Building Culture Publication Series) Publication series on building topics with a regional focus, available as print edition or e-paper. Topics published to date include Langenthal (CHF 25 regular / CHF 20 reduced), Energie (CHF 20 regular / CHF 15 reduced), and Köniz (CHF 20 regular / CHF 15 reduced).
• Schoggitaler (Annual Chocolate Medallion Fundraising Campaign) Annual fundraising campaign in which supporters purchase chocolate medallions (Schoggitaler) to support Berner Heimatschutz preservation projects. The 2025 campaign carried the motto «Altstadt und Ortskern» (Old Town and Village Center).
• Ferien im Baudenkmal (Holidays in Listed Buildings) Program offering holidays in listed or historically valuable buildings across the Canton of Bern, allowing guests to stay in heritage-protected properties and experience historic architecture firsthand.
• Jahresbericht (Annual Report) Annual report (Jahresbericht) documenting the activities, projects, and finances of the Berner Heimatschutz association. Editions published for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 are available for order through the online shop.
• ArchitekTOUR (Architectural History Bus Excursions) Popular guided bus excursions through the architectural history of Bern, conducted in historic BERNMOBIL historique buses. Organized as a recurring event offering by the Bern Mittelland regional group.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration21 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Future Connection AGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWeb programming partner responsible for website development and technical maintenance of bernerheimatschutz.ch.
• Stillhart KonzeptminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign partner responsible for the visual design and branding of the Berner Heimatschutz website and communications.
• Raiffeisenbank JungfrauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial institution partner for the Bohlspycher crowdfunding campaign. The bank matches donations up to CHF 50 until reaching CHF 1,000 total.
• Schweizer HeimatschutzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization (Swiss Heritage Protection) that Berner Heimatschutz is affiliated with. Provides coordination, resources, and represents heritage protection at the federal level.
• Patrimoine Grand ChasseralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional heritage organization in the Jura bernois region that collaborates with Berner Heimatschutz on preservation projects and events, including joint exhibitions and documentation projects.
• Bernischer Kantonaler DenkmalschutzcoreOthersCantonal monument protection authorities (Denkmalpflege des Kantons Bern) that BHS works with on heritage building assessments, protected status decisions, and renovation approvals.
• Amt für Gemeinden und Raumordnung (AGR)coreOthersOffice for Municipalities and Spatial Planning that BHS engages with on planning consultations, building permits, and spatial development matters affecting heritage sites.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NIKE – Nationale Informationsstelle zum Kulturerbe: National competence center for cultural heritage in Switzerland. Operates at federal level on heritage advisory, communications, and policy, paralleling BHS's regional advocacy and educational mandates.
• Schweizer Heimatschutz: National parent organization of Berner Heimatschutz. Operates across all of Switzerland as the umbrella federation for heritage protection, providing federal-level coordination and advocacy that the regional Bern section contributes to.

Others

• BSA Bern: Federation of Swiss Architects, Bern section. Co-host of BHS's annual climate/building-culture forum. Shares overlapping concern with building culture quality in the canton and regularly collaborates on events and advocacy.
• SIA Bern: Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects, Bern section. Co-organizes BHS's annual Forum 'Dialog für Klimaschutz, Energiewende und Baukultur'. Sits in the adjacent space of architectural practice and policy, partnering on cross-disciplinary events.

Regional players

• Heimatschutz Zürich: Regional heritage section covering Canton Zürich. Mirrors BHS's model of regional group advocacy, building consultation, and publication programs focused on cantonal architectural heritage.
• Heimatschutz Luzern: Regional heritage protection organization in Canton Luzern, structurally comparable to Berner Heimatschutz as a cantonal section of Schweizer Heimatschutz with similar advocacy and consultation activities.

Direct peers

• Patrimoine Grand Chasseral: Regional heritage organization in the Jura bernois region and active partner of Berner Heimatschutz, collaborating on joint exhibitions and documentation projects in overlapping territory.
• Denkmalpflege Kanton Bern: Cantonal monument protection authority that BHS works with on heritage assessments and approvals. Operates in the same geographic territory with overlapping mandate on historic building protection.
• Patrimoine bernois: French-language counterpart to Berner Heimatschutz, serving the francophone Jura bernois region. Operates as a regional heritage organization within the same canton with parallel advocacy, publications, and event offerings.

Emerging players

• Stiftung Berner Bauernhöfe und ländlicher Raum: Foundation dedicated to preserving historic Bernese farmhouses and rural buildings. Shares BHS's regional focus on built heritage with overlapping preservation projects like the Bohlspycher cheese storage renovation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berner-heimatschutz

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Berner Heimatschutz