The space around government buildings is often fenced off and high security. Not so in Bern where Parliament Square is the most democratic and accessible of spaces.Farmers sell their produce here, children play in the fountains, political campaigns are launched and activities range from concerts to demonstrations to ice-skating.The “arranged emptiness” of the parliament square today is a recent innovation; little more than a decade ago this space was a car park. The transformation of the square was completed on July 31, 2004 and the new Parliament Square was unveiled the following day – Swiss National Day.The winners of the international competition to provide the design were Stephan Mundwiler of lee + mundwiler architects (Basel and Los Angeles) and Stauffenegger+Stutz visual design (Basel).