immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Author: immovestuser

  • Expansion of the recycling of building materials in Europe

    Expansion of the recycling of building materials in Europe

    Zug-based Holcim AG intends to significantly expand its portfolio in the recycling of building materials in Europe. According to a press release, the international building materials company has acquired two demolition companies in England and Germany and is preparing to take over a third in north-west France. These three companies currently recycle 1.3 million tons of construction waste annually.

    The new acquisitions include Thames Materials from West London and A&S Recycling GmbH from Hanover. The company, which operates in north-west France, has not yet been named by Holcim. With Thames Materials, Holcim is now operating in the Greater London area. Holcim had already acquired the logistics company Sivyer Logistics in East London in 2023. A&S Recyling processes demolition materials in northern Germany with three locations in the German state of Lower Saxony. With the takeover of the French company, Holcim is increasing the number of recyclers it manages in the country to 28.

    “The acquisitions of Thames Materials, A&S Recycling GmbH and a recycling company in northwest France will further strengthen our leading position in circular construction and contribute to our NextGen Growth 2030 target of recycling more than 20 million tons of construction demolition materials annually,” Milan Gutovic, CEO of Holcim, is quoted as saying in the press release.

  • A new giant reorganizes the insurance market

    A new giant reorganizes the insurance market

    Since December 5, 2025, it has been clear that Helvetia and Baloise will only operate together as Helvetia Baloise Holding Ltd, listed on the SIX and with the abbreviation HBAN. Baloise has been legally merged into Helvetia, but the new brand is deliberately presented as a joint project with two strong roots. The last day of trading in Baloise shares marked a historic cut. Just three days later, the new Helvetia Baloise shares were traded for the first time.

    The merger will create an insurer that will change the industry through its sheer size. With over 22,000 employees, a gross premium volume of around CHF 20 billion and more than two million customers in Switzerland alone, Helvetia Baloise is the largest all-lines insurer in the country. A market share of around 20 percent is a clear statement: this group wants to play an active role in shaping the rules of the game in the Swiss insurance market.

    Power, markets and billions
    There is a clear rationale behind the merger: bundling synergies, reducing duplication and increasing clout. Helvetia Baloise is announcing annual cost synergies of around CHF 350 million, in addition to existing efficiency programs. For the capital markets, the message is as clear as it is attractive. Dividend capacity is set to increase by around 20 percent by 2029.

    For the market, this means a new pole of stability and competition. Such a large player can invest in technology, digitalization and new products in a way that smaller providers find more difficult. At the same time, there is growing pressure on other insurers to follow suit, forge alliances or occupy niches. The merger is therefore more than just a corporate deal. It is a signal of an imminent reorganization in the Swiss insurance market.

    Between new beginnings and job cuts
    The flip side of the synergies is the announced job cuts. Over the next three years, 2,000 to 2,600 jobs are to be cut, primarily in areas where duplicate structures currently exist, in administration, IT and the back office. The Group is emphasizing that the reduction will be as socially responsible as possible, with natural fluctuation, early retirement and internal transfers. For many employees, the merger means uncertainty, reorientation or parting.

    At the same time, Helvetia Baloise is making a clear commitment to Basel as a location. The Group remains anchored in the city on the Rhine and is positioning itself as an important employer and economic anchor in the region. Which locations will be strengthened, merged or scaled back will be communicated step by step, a long integration process that will be felt for years to come.

    What will change for customers
    Many things will remain stable for customers for the time being. Existing insurance contracts will continue to run under the agreed conditions, and the merger does not give rise to an extraordinary right of termination. In legal terms, rights and obligations will automatically be transferred to Helvetia Baloise. Initially, this should hardly be noticeable in everyday life.

    In the medium term, however, the picture is likely to change. Product ranges will be harmonized, duplicate offers will be eliminated and the more attractive or more efficient offer will be continued. The aim is to create leaner, more comprehensible product lines and a broader, standardized offering from a single source. From household contents to motor vehicle and buildings insurance. The Group intends to outline exactly what this new modular product system will look like as part of further integration communication and at an investor day in April 2026.

    A new beginning withan open outcome
    The merger of Helvetia and Baloise is more than just a balance sheet transaction, it is a new beginning with an open outcome. For Switzerland as an insurance center, the new giant brings strength, speed and investment power. For employees, it means both opportunities in a larger organization and the risk of losing their jobs. And for customers, it promises a more focused, modern offering in the long term if the Group succeeds in translating its size into tangible added value.

  • Expansion of Basel SBB West station

    Expansion of Basel SBB West station

    Basel SBB station has long since reached its limits. Over 140,900 people use it every day, and the trend is rising. With the Basel SBB West project, the partners are preparing the station for this development. A comprehensive extension is planned in the west of the site, where the train stop will be moved further west in future and additional access to urban traffic will be created. Two closely linked sub-projects form the core, the Margarethen platform access and the new construction of the Margarethen Bridge.

    The new passenger bridge for the Margarethen platform access is to run parallel to the existing Margarethen Bridge. It will be around 16.5 meters wide, have stairs, escalators and lifts and provide access to all platforms. To make this possible, SBB is extending several platforms to the west and adapting the track layout. The project thus responds to the expected growth in rail traffic and at the same time relieves the existing passerelle at the main station.

    Linking rail and city
    In addition to rail planning, urban integration plays a central role. The canton of Basel-Stadt is planning a new multimodal transportation hub to the west of the station, at the Markthalle site. Here, the transfer between train, streetcar, bus and bicycle is to become even more efficient in future. This reorganization will relieve the overcrowded Centralbahnplatz and enable a more balanced traffic regime in the city center.

    The Margarethen platform access is more than just a bridge. It will become a link between the new urban traffic axes and the rail network. It offers space, light and orientation. Features that are particularly important in highly frequented traffic zones.

    A new Margarethen Bridge with a signal effect
    The second sub-project is dedicated to the renewal of the Margarethen Bridge. The existing bridge is owned by SBB and only meets current safety requirements for heavy goods traffic with restrictions. In addition, it does not meet the future requirements of SBB and the canton on both the rail and road sides. The new bridge will therefore not only be structurally more efficient, but also significantly wider – 27 meters compared to 16.3 meters today. This will create space for a barrier-free streetcar stop in the middle of the bridge as well as wider footpaths and cycle paths.

    A temporary auxiliary bridge is planned during the construction period. The possibility of integrating this temporary structure into the new building at a later date is being examined. This solution should minimize construction interruptions and ensure urban mobility during the entire implementation phase.

    The winning project by Penzel Valier
    In the spring of 2025, an assessment panel of independent experts and representatives from SBB and the canton evaluated the proposals of six interdisciplinary planning teams as part of a study commission. The contract was awarded to Penzel Valier. Their design impresses with a generous, flexibly expandable roof that spans both the new streetcar stop on Margarethenbrücke and the platforms. This creates a hall-like space that characterizes the western part of the station.

    The roof fulfills several functions at the same time. It brings daylight onto the platforms, protects against the weather and allows the installation of photovoltaic systems and greenery. In terms of urban planning, this creates a harmonious link between the SBB station, the listed SNCF hall and the adjacent Gundeldingen and St. Johann districts.

    The SNCF hall itself will be retained in the context of the French part of the station and in its function as a platform canopy. This was a key concern of the conservation authorities. The hall will be moved to the west to create space for the new track layout.

    Planning, financing and time horizon
    The Margarethen platform access is part of the 2035 national rail expansion phase. The federal government has already approved the planning and preliminary project planning. While the Margarethen platform access is financially secured, the funds for the implementation of the new Margarethen Bridge are still being decided. Both projects can be built technically independently of each other, but should be realized at the same time if possible.

    The planning requirements are high. They take into account ongoing rail operations, the protection of historic buildings and integration into the dense city traffic. Construction is currently scheduled to start in 2034 at the earliest. The project volume for both project elements (platform access and bridge) is estimated to be in the low to mid three-digit million range.

    More than infrastructure – a new entrance for Basel
    Basel SBB West will not only provide the city with a strategically important transportation hub, but also a new entrance to the city. The relocation of train traffic to the west will create space for clearer traffic routing, a better quality of stay and greater safety for cyclists and pedestrians. In future, travelers will experience shorter routes, generous spaces and intuitive orientation.

    The interaction between trains, streetcars, buses and bicycles will become more efficient, more sustainable and more pleasant. At the same time, the project forms the structural foundation for future expansions such as the possible Basel SBB underground station. In its entirety, Basel SBB West thus stands for a new generation of railroad stations – open, networked and future-proof.

  • The fifth generation of the Basel agglomeration program

    The fifth generation of the Basel agglomeration program

    New impetus for space and transport
    The program marks a decisive step in the joint planning of landscape, settlement and transport across national borders. Germany, France and Switzerland are pulling together to make mobility in the tri-national area more efficient, safer and more climate-friendly. In the coming years, eleven new transport hubs will be built along the tri-national S-Bahn and Basel-Stadt is investing in a fully electrified bus fleet. Around 200 million francs have been earmarked for the upgrading of municipal streets and the promotion of pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

    Mobility with a future
    In essence, it is about more than just infrastructure. The agglomeration program is a coordinated response to the complex mobility needs of a region that uses busy international transport routes on a daily basis. The integrated planning of public transport, private transport, footpaths and cycle paths is intended to reduce traffic congestion and CO² emissions. The priority is to develop a sustainable transport system that increases the quality of life and attractiveness of the location.

    Broad political support
    Esther Keller, member of the cantonal government and President of Agglo Basel, emphasizes the success of the cross-border cooperation, which has been in existence for over 15 years. Isaac Reber, Director of Construction in Basel, sees the large number of small and medium-sized projects as the backbone of progress. Jean-Marc Deichtmann from Saint-Louis and Marion Dammann from Lörrach also emphasized the strategic horizon. This ranges from multimodal platforms to citizen participation that strengthens climate protection and spatial quality.

    Looking ahead to the sixth generation
    Work has already begun on the 6th generation agglomeration program. Submission to the federal government is planned for 2029, with the construction phase starting in 2032. The Agglo Basel association is continuing the coordination and ensuring that space, transport and landscape in the border triangle are not considered separately, but as a coherent project for the future.

  • Master builders and trade unions agree on new national collective agreement

    Master builders and trade unions agree on new national collective agreement

    In the tenth round of negotiations, the delegations from SBC, Unia and Syna reached a negotiation result on December 12, 2025 for a new national collective agreement that will apply from 2026. The previous collective labor agreement for around 80,000 construction workers expires at the end of the year and therefore had to be revised. Both sides emphasize that they have come together on key points in order to ensure planning security and competitive working conditions.

    Six-year term and new working time models
    The new LMV is designed for six years and will apply from the beginning of 2026 to the end of 2031 – an unusually long horizon that should bring stability to an industry characterized by a shortage of skilled workers and economic uncertainties. New working time planning will be introduced from January 1, 2027. Companies can now choose a model with constant daily working hours and accept more overtime and reduced hours in return. In addition, overtime regulations will be simplified and it will be possible to build up a long-term vacation account, allowing employees to save up overtime and take it later as extended time off.

    Travel time, bonuses and inflation
    A key point of the agreement concerns travel time, which plays a major role on construction sites throughout the country. In future, the regulations are to be structured in such a way that they can be declared generally binding. Above a certain level, travel time will be counted as overtime. In addition, there is a wage package with substantial increases in bonuses and allowances in underground mining, where the workload is particularly high. There are also plans to cover inflation so that the real wages of construction workers are not eroded in an environment of rising living costs.

    Focus on the attractiveness of the construction industry
    With the new agreement, the social partners are pursuing the common goal of strengthening the construction industry as an employer. For current employees as well as for future skilled workers. More modern working time models, clearer rules on travel time and improved bonuses are intended to improve conditions in a physically demanding occupational field. At the same time, companies will receive a reliable framework for planning projects, retaining staff and making long-term investments.

    Decision still pending
    The outcome of the negotiations is an important breakthrough, but not yet the final point. On the part of the Federation of Master Builders, an extraordinary delegates’ meeting on December 17, 2025 will decide on final acceptance. For the Unia and Syna trade unions, the professional conferences will make the decision in January 2026. Only if both sides agree will the new national collective agreement come into force and set the guidelines for the world of work in the construction industry until 2031.

  • Hot concrete from Pompeii

    Hot concrete from Pompeii

    Roman concrete forms the backbone of many structures from port facilities to aqueducts that have withstood wind, weather and earthquakes for over 2000 years. Admir Masic’s research group at MIT has been investigating for years why this building material is so exceptionally durable, based on chemical analyses of ancient mortar. As early as 2023, the team formulated the hypothesis that the Romans did not use lime as a ready slaked paste, but mixed it dry as quicklime together with volcanic ash and only then added water.

    Pompeii as a preserved building site
    The latest investigations are based on a unique site in Pompeii. A construction site “frozen” by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD with half-finished walls, piles of material and tools. In samples from the pre-mixed dry heaps, from walls under construction and from finished components, the researchers found not only the familiar white lime clasts, but also intact fragments of quicklime in the dry mixture. This suggests that the slaking reaction, i.e. the reaction of the burnt lime with water, only took place during the actual mixing and hardening of the concrete and not beforehand, as described in classical accounts.

    Contradiction with Vitruvius and how it is resolved
    In the 1st century BC, Vitruvius described in “De architectura” that lime was first slaked with water and then mixed with aggregates. The hot mixing technique that has now been identified deviates from this in that the lime is combined with volcanic ash as quicklime in the dry phase and the water is only added afterwards. Isotope analyses of the mortars show the characteristic carbonation processes that match this process and differ from mortars with previously slaked lime. Instead of completely “refuting” Vitruvius, experts tend to interpret the findings in such a way that his description does not reflect the entire spectrum of Roman practice. Regional or temporal variations such as hot-mixing appear to have been more widespread than long assumed.

    Self-healing concrete as a model for tomorrow
    The hot-mixing process generates considerable heat when quicklime and water come into contact, trapping reactive lime particles in the concrete structure. If microcracks form later, these particles can dissolve again, react with penetrating water and fill the cracks again. A self-healing mechanism that plausibly explains the longevity of Roman buildings. The new findings are being incorporated into the development of modern, sustainable concrete. The aim is to reduce CO₂-intensive binder content, massively extend the service life of buildings and thus reduce the consumption of resources in the construction industry. All in the spirit of an ancient model that is only now being fully understood chemically.

  • Swiss premiere in building automation

    Swiss premiere in building automation

    Today’s modern buildings are highly complex systems. They combine heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, security, photovoltaics and storage solutions to form an integrated whole. Building automation ensures that these components work together optimally, with less energy consumption, more stable operation and greater comfort. In the context of the Energy Strategy 2050 and the decarbonization of the building stock, the need for specialists who understand both technology and data and system logic is growing rapidly. The state recognition of the Building Automation HF course takes this need into account and creates a clearly defined, quality-assured career path

    First state-recognized Building Automation HF in Switzerland
    sfb in Dietikon is the first university of applied sciences in Switzerland to successfully pass the recognition procedure of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation for its Building Automation HF course. The degree is thus federally recognized and embedded in the formal education system. According to the school management, this guarantees training that is geared towards the current requirements of the industry, standards and regulation and remains compatible in the long term. At the same time, the recognition strengthens the visibility of the profession vis-à-vis building owners, planning offices, energy suppliers and the real estate industry

    Practical profile from energy efficiency to building informatics
    In terms of content, the course has a clear practical focus. It teaches specialist skills in energy efficiency, building IT, networked systems and modern automation solutions. From sensor and control technology to data analysis and optimization in operation. The aim is to train specialists who can support the entire life cycle of smart buildings, from planning and design, project management, commissioning, operation, maintenance and ongoing optimization. This broad qualification creates the basis for sustainable, economical building solutions and enables companies to reduce operating costs, emissions and failure risks

    Specialists for the digital transformation in the building sector
    Building automation specialists HF work at the interface between technology, IT and operations. They understand building technology systems as well as data rooms, interfaces and security requirements. For companies in the fields of building technology, energy, facility management and real estate development, this means a tangible competitive advantage. They gain access to specialists who are proficient in the latest technologies and can also actively drive forward the digital transformation of buildings. According to sfb, it is precisely this profile that is in demand when it comes to putting smart building and net zero strategies into practice

    Course structure and target groups
    The recognized course is aimed at specialists with relevant basic vocational training in the electrical, HVAC, building or IT professions. In six semesters, the course leads to the final thesis and the protected title of “Certified Building Automation Technician HF”.

  • How the old real estate market is slowing down the new China

    How the old real estate market is slowing down the new China

    For years, the real estate sector was China’s most important growth engine. Build, sell, keep building. This was the simple formula that at times accounted for up to a third of economic output. With stricter requirements to limit debt, the leadership put the brakes on this model, triggering a creeping but persistent crisis.

    Evergrande was the visible turning point in 2021. The former industry star missed interest payments, became a global warning figure and suddenly made it clear how vulnerable the growth model was. Since then, developers such as Country Garden and now Vanke, which had long been considered stable, have come under pressure. A signal that the real estate sector has not yet bottomed out.

    Deflation, wealth shock and insecure households
    The real estate crisis is eating deep into the real economy. Residential real estate is the central store of wealth for Chinese households. When prices fall in series, the sense of security erodes. Those who see their own apartment as a retirement provision become reluctant to consume, invest and make major life decisions.

    Domestic consumption is correspondingly weak. Retail trade is growing at a rate well below previous levels and the economy is struggling with persistent deflationary pressure. Falling or stagnating prices may seem attractive in the short term, but they increase the debt burden in real terms and prolong the clean-up process in the real estate and financial system.

    Provinces in the debt shadow
    The situation of local governments is particularly delicate. Provinces and cities have accumulated a gigantic mountain of debt through land sales to developers and off-balance sheet financing companies. Land sales were the most important source of income, but were never enough to sustain the credit-financed construction boom and infrastructure programs. Now that sales are collapsing, the hidden debts are coming to light.

    Many regions are being forced into a silent diet. Investments are being postponed, spending cut, new infrastructure delayed. This has direct consequences for growth, employment and local businesses. The crisis is therefore less a loud crash than a slow pressure that weakens the system for years and restricts the scope for action.

    Old real estate-driven economy meets new tech power
    At the same time, China is presenting itself as a high-tech superpower. Electric car manufacturers, AI companies and internet companies that are reinventing themselves represent the “new China”. Politicians are focusing on a long-term technology strategy with a focus on electromobility, semiconductors, AI, renewable energies and robotics.

    However, this new economy is built on a foundation of the old, real estate-driven economic structure. Without stable domestic demand, reliable credit channels and household confidence, the tech sector will not be able to fully develop its dynamism. The path to success therefore does not lead past an orderly dismantling of the real estate sector, but through it.

    Growth targets as a boomerang
    Beijing is sticking to its ambitious growth targets. The target of “around 5%” is achievable because the state and state-owned companies are taking countermeasures in many areas. For conscious cadres on the ground, the signal remains clear: the numbers have to add up, if necessary with additional projects that have little economic impact.

    The result is new infrastructure and construction projects that support GDP in the short term but do not solve the structural problems. On the contrary, they prolong the debt cycle. This creates a tension between the official growth story and the real need for deleveraging in the real estate and local debt complex.

    What is at stake until 2026
    The coming years will determine whether China manages the transition from a debt-driven, real estate-heavy model to an innovation-based growth path. If a controlled contraction of the real estate sector can be achieved while at the same time strengthening consumption, productivity and future-oriented industries, the country can remain robust despite dents. If this balancing act fails, a scenario of sustained low growth with recurring bouts of deflation and growing mistrust among investors looms.

    The real estate crisis is not a marginal issue, but the central test of China’s ability to correct its economic course. The decisive factor will be whether the political leadership and administration find the courage to put short-term growth targets into perspective in favor of a more sustainable, less property-driven model and thus not allow the new China to be crushed by the old.

  • Real estate market 2026 stable tailwind from low interest rates, AI boom and scarce space

    Real estate market 2026 stable tailwind from low interest rates, AI boom and scarce space

    According to estimates, the Swiss National Bank is leaving the key interest rate at 0% for 2026 and signaling that the hurdles for a return to negative interest rates remain high. The conditional inflation forecasts of around 0.3% for 2026 and 0.6% for 2027 are clearly within the range of price stability and support a moderate growth scenario. For the real estate market, this means that short-term financing, particularly SARON mortgages, will remain attractive, while long-term fixed-rate mortgages will only benefit hesitantly from monetary easing.

    Real estate as an investment
    Wüest Partner has observed that investment properties with rental apartments will become significantly more expensive again in 2025, reflecting a high willingness to pay and strong confidence in the asset class. At the same time, prices for multi-family homes have reached a very high level, while earnings prospects and regulatory risks are dampening the imagination. A flattening of price momentum is therefore expected for 2026, both for residential yield properties and commercial properties. With clear differentiation according to location, property quality and ESG profile. Indirect investments such as public limited companies and funds continue to benefit from the low interest rate environment, but already carry high expectations in the form of above-average premiums.

    Boost in renovation, moderate new construction
    The combination of low interest rates and slowing construction price momentum is stabilizing the willingness to invest in construction. Nominal growth in construction investment of around 3.4% in new construction and 8.5% in renovation is expected in 2026, with the renovation sector receiving an additional boost from pull-forward effects related to the planned abolition of the imputed rental value. Many owners are likely to prefer energy-efficient renovations and refurbishments as long as maintenance costs are still fully tax-deductible. In the medium term, new construction activity could slow down again somewhat, as the number of new apartments in planning applications has recently declined.

    Rental and property market
    Following the sharp rise in rents in 2023 and 2024, the growth in asking rents has slowed considerably. Moderate growth in the national average is expected for 2026. At the same time, the reduction in the mortgage reference interest rate will provide relief for existing rents. This could lead to a slight decline in average rents for existing properties. Demand for residential property remains intact despite higher price levels. For 2026, price increases of around 3% are expected for single-family homes and slightly less for condominiums, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years.

    Investment outlook for 2026
    Zürcher Kantonalbank expects moderate global economic growth in 2026, driven by falling inflationary pressure and improved financing conditions. Advances in artificial intelligence are driving investment and providing an additional tailwind for US equities in particular, while uncertainty on the financial markets remains high. In this environment, broad diversification across asset classes and currencies is recommended, with selected areas of focus. Corporate bonds, Swiss real estate and small caps are considered attractive, supplemented by global corporate bonds and gold as stabilizing additions. Direct and indirect real estate investments therefore remain an important building block for long-term investors. Embedded in a portfolio that benefits equally from AI-driven growth and the persistently low interest rate environment.

  • How much of the past can densification tolerate?

    How much of the past can densification tolerate?

    The Brunnergut estate was built in two stages in the mid-1950s and early 1960s and marked the transition to the functionalist, automotive city. As one of Winterthur’s first residential ensembles with underground parking, it replaced the Villa Malabar and reshaped an entire inner block between Lindstrasse, Kreuzstrasse, Sulzbergstrasse and St. Georgenstrasse. The 1954 planning application itself sparked a fierce controversy. Early debates about density, traffic and cityscape, as they occupy the entire agglomeration today

    in 2016, the city of Winterthur added Brunnergut to the inventory of buildings worthy of protection, followed by its entry in the cantonal inventory of listed buildings of supra-municipal importance in 2018. This made it clear that the estate was not only considered everyday architecture, but also an ensemble with architectural and socio-historical significance that should be taken into account in any further planning

    Legal ping-pong over protection
    With the cantonal dismissal in 2024, the building department wanted to relax the protection status again. Based on an expert opinion from the cantonal monument preservation commission and subsequent additions. The Zurich Heritage Society challenged this, and the Building Appeal Court demanded a supplementary or top-level expert opinion during the proceedings and criticized gaps in the expert assessment

    At the same time, the Winterthur city council planned to remove Brunnergut from the municipal inventory. The Zurich Heritage Society lodged another appeal against this. In its decision of November 6, 2025, the Building Appeals Court has now ruled that the city is unlawfully relying unilaterally on the KDK report and that the facts of the case have not been sufficiently clarified for the property to be removed from the inventory. The judges demanded an expert opinion from an independent expert who had not previously been involved. A clear signal for higher requirements for the justification of de-protection decisions

    More than just a technical issue of monument preservation
    The criticism focuses not only on formal deficiencies, but also on gaps in content. Imprecise plans, insufficient discussion of the qualities identified in the inventory sheet and an insufficient appreciation of the social and economic-historical significance. Specifically, the court criticized the fact that the role of the estate as an early example of dense, car-oriented post-war modernism and as part of Winterthur’s settlement history was not seriously included in the comparison with other estates

    For urban planning and the real estate industry, Brunnergut is therefore far more than an isolated case. The procedure shows how strongly inventory decisions must be legally and professionally underpinned today if they are to survive in an environment of housing shortages, pressure to densify and politically heated debates about objections and heritage protection

    What the case means for future projects
    The Zürcher Heimatschutz sees the decision as a strengthening of the inventory concept. Inventories are not mere lists, but planning instruments that must meet high standards before they can be dismantled. For cities like Winterthur, this means that anyone wishing to subsequently remove protection must transparently explain why arguments relating to building culture, urban development and social history outweigh the interests of densification, renewal or returns

    For investors, owners and planners, this increases the importance of well-documented surveys and early involvement of heritage conservation. Especially in the case of post-war housing estates, which were long regarded as “ordinary” existing buildings. Brunnergut shows that the second half of the 20th century is increasingly understood as part of the architectural heritage and that the path to conversion or replacement construction will in future often lead via independent expert reports and carefully balanced conservation concepts

  • Training offensive for networked building technology

    Training offensive for networked building technology

    The sfb is the first university of applied sciences in Switzerland whose Building Automation HF course has successfully completed the recognition procedure of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). “This guarantees the highest quality, state-recognized qualifications and training that meets the current requirements of the industry,” said sfb Director Dorothea Tiefenauer in a press release. The demands placed on modern buildings are constantly increasing, it continues. The sfb – College of Technology and Management can now respond even better to the great demand for qualified specialists thanks to the recognition of the course.

    According to the description, the course content is consistently geared towards practice. Knowledge of energy efficiency, building IT, networked systems and modern automation solutions is taught. The aim is to qualify students for the planning and implementation, but also the operation and maintenance of complex, smart networked buildings. According to sfb, this range creates the basis for sustainable and long-term economical building solutions. For companies, this development of expertise means a decisive competitive advantage, it says. Graduates are specialists who are not only proficient in current technologies, but can also actively shape the digital transformation.

    The course takes students who have completed relevant vocational training to complete their thesis in six semesters. Graduates are ultimately awarded the title of qualified building automation technician HF. The sfb organizes information events to provide an insight into the content and structure of the course. Both individuals and companies are invited to attend.

  • Railroad modernization in the sensitive Alpine region

    Railroad modernization in the sensitive Alpine region

    STRABAG AG is carrying out the outstanding renovation work on the Zentralbahn line between Meiringen and Brienzwiler in the Bernese Oberland. The narrow-gauge line runs on a single track along the Hasliaare, which is part of the Aare flood plain. Out of consideration for several nature conservation areas, “maximum precision for logistics and coordination” is required for the new construction, according to a press release. Preparatory work began in March 2025 and the ten-week intensive phase has been underway since October 2025.

    Heavy rainfall events had repeatedly occurred in the area, causing the railroad embankment and superstructure to flood, resulting in damage to the railroad infrastructure and adjacent cultivated land. STRABAG already carried out track construction work there in 2022 and 2023 (lots 1 and 3). The modernization project will now be completed with a total reconstruction of the challenging middle section of lot 2 over a length of 2600 meters and in the middle of the Sytenwald nature reserve. This involves raising the railroad embankment. To allow surface and slope water to drain away, a continuous planned drainage system will be installed along the route. The area along the Hasliaare will receive a new flood protection wall.

    According to the press release, the “tight space conditions and local lack of redundant construction slopes in certain sections between the Hasliaare, the railroad line and several nature conservation areas” are a special construction feature, which requires special precautions for ecology and landscape protection. On the one hand, STRABAG is building 30 new foundations for the catenary masts on the side facing away from the river, and on the other, 37 crossings are to ensure the ecological continuity of the terrain. This means protection for wildlife and small animals when crossing the section.

    A particularly challenging component is the new construction of the Hüsenbach bridge made of ultra-high-strength and durable fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPC). During bridge construction, special consideration was given to the trout population present there at spawning time.

  • Million-euro financing accelerates autonomous construction site technology

    Million-euro financing accelerates autonomous construction site technology

    Venture capital firms from three continents have invested in Gravis Robotics: The spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, founded in 2022, has raised 23 million dollars in an early financing round, according to its information.

    The round was led by the venture capital companies IQ Capital from London and Zacua Ventures from San Francisco. Pear VC from Palo Alto, California, Imad Ventures from the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, Sunna Ventures from Miami and the Zurich-based company Armada Investment as well as the globally active cement manufacturer Holcim from Zug also participated.

    Gravis Robotics offers autonomous earthmoving machines that combine artificial intelligence, machine vision and human interfaces to increase throughput, reduce waste and improve safety on construction sites, whether the operators are in the cab or coordinating the work remotely.

    With the recent funding, Gravis now has the technology, partnerships and global distribution channels across the industry to drive the adoption of true autonomy on a large scale, the company said. In addition, it also announced “a wave” of new industry partnerships. For example, Gravis Robotics has partnered with Taylor Woodrow in the UK on a major infrastructure project at Manchester Airport, carrying out the first autonomous excavation work on a major active construction site in the country. There are also agreements with Holcim and the South Korean company HD Hyundai.

    The fastest route to autonomy is through increasing productivity, CEO Dr. Ryan Luke Johns is quoted as saying. “By providing operators with real-time 3D intelligence and the ability to seamlessly switch between autonomy and advanced control, we are covering more of the work, accelerating the application and creating the data pipeline needed to learn new skills from the industry’s most challenging tasks.“ The company considers it an advantage to have its Zurich headquarters “at the heart of the renowned robotics and automation ecosystem”.

  • Modern site project in Sittertobel focusses on renewable energies

    Modern site project in Sittertobel focusses on renewable energies

    Sitter Projekt AG and Mettler Entwickler AG are realising the Sitter Valley in St.Gallen’s Sittertobel. The two St.Gallen companies want to develop an area of 50,000 square metres here for offices, commerce and industry with up to 600 workplaces.

    St.Gallen’s public utility company will supply the site with energy for heating and cooling. According to a press release, they are relying on a combined energy supply with a wood pellet boiler and a reversible air/water heat pump. The pellet heating system will primarily be used in the winter months. The first heat supply is scheduled for winter 2026/2027.

    The Sitter Valley is also to be equipped with photovoltaic systems. These will contribute to the site’s electricity supply.

  • Selection of future-oriented start-ups strengthens digital property development

    Selection of future-oriented start-ups strengthens digital property development

    A total of 95 young companies applied for Swiss Prime Site ‘s 27th Accelerator Programme. of these, 21 were allowed to present themselves and eight reached the final. Four of them have now been selected to work with the property company, according to a press release from Venturelab. The Schlieren-based start-up promoter is working with Swiss Prime Site on the programme and is conducting the associated workshops.

    The winning companies are Jurata AG, Legartis Technology AG, Optiverse AG and Epic Fusion AG. All four are active in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), the focus of the current Accelerator programme. Jurata develops solutions for law, accounting and taxes, Legartis for contract review and analysis. Optiverse is working on using AI to make meetings more efficient, while Epic Fusion is optimising workplaces.

    “I was really impressed with the quality of the presentations. Each project was well prepared and professionally presented, with a clear business case for Swiss Prime Site,” said Victor Wolff Casado, Digital Project Manager at Swiss Prime Site. “Venturelab’s unique start-up network and expertise help us to drive innovation in a systematic and fast process.”

  • Construction industry sets an example in terms of quality, innovation and tradition

    Construction industry sets an example in terms of quality, innovation and tradition

    Maulini SA was awarded the Prix SVC Genève 2025 on 27 November, according to a press release. Founded in 1910, the company employs around 270 people. It is active in the construction of new residential, industrial and administrative buildings as well as the renovation, transformation and insulation of listed and contemporary buildings in Geneva and the region. The company has also been offering services as a general contractor for ten years.

    The jury of the Prix SVC was impressed by the history of the family business with its four generations and the commitment of the teams and management. “In a sector where it is not easy to anchor innovation in everyday life, we have been able to observe the development of a family business that consistently endeavours to ensure its impact and sustainability,” said jury president Sophie Dubuis in the press release. “This award recognises its strong local roots, its innovative spirit and its excellence.”

    This is the third time that the Swiss Venture Club(SVC) has awarded the Prix SVC Genève. More than 700 guests from business, politics, society and the media attended the award ceremony at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. The aim of the event was to “highlight the entrepreneurial diversity of the region”, according to the press release.

    The other finalists included watch supplier Fiedler SA in Carouge GE, landscaper Jacquet SA and the La Colline physiotherapy group in Geneva, as well as Pneus Claude SA in Satigny GE.

  • Electrochemical breakthrough in the fight against contaminated sites

    Electrochemical breakthrough in the fight against contaminated sites

    According to a press release, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH) have achieved a breakthrough in the remediation of contaminants such as DDT and lindane. These are persistent organic pollutants, or POPs. These are toxic chemicals that were widely used in the 1940s to 1980s. They degrade very slowly and can now be found in the food chain of humans and animals. The university team led by Bill Morandi, Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, has now developed a novel electrochemical process that completely dehalogenates these environmental toxins and binds them in harmless salt. The remaining organic hydrocarbons can be fed into the circular economy and thus serve as valuable raw materials for the chemical industry.

    “We wanted to solve one of the biggest environmental problems of the last century. It is unacceptable to leave the dirt to future generations,” Alberto Garrido-Castro, electrochemistry specialist and former postdoc in the group, is quoted as saying in the press release. The ETH team sees the remediation of such contaminated sites in soil, water and landfills as one of the major unresolved issues in environmental protection. The degradation of these chemicals using electrochemical processes has been investigated for some time. According to the press release, the ETH researchers have now achieved the decisive breakthrough with the use of alternating current in electrolysis. “It splits the halogen atoms into harmless salts such as NaCl (common salt) and produces valuable hydrocarbons at the same time,” explains Morandi. The hydrocarbons are benzene, diphenylethane or cyclododecatriene. Chemicals that are used in the production of plastics, paints or coatings and therefore contribute to a sustainable circular economy.

    An important prerequisite for implementation is that the new process can be applied not only to pure substances, but also to mixtures of contaminated soil, earth or sludge. The researchers are considering mobile systems that can be used on site, which would eliminate the need to transport these hazardous substances. A prototype has already been successfully tested.

  • Future area in the north of Basel creates living and working space

    Future area in the north of Basel creates living and working space

    The Klybeck site in the border triangle of Basel is to become a modern neighbourhood on the banks of the Rhine. According to a press release, the planning partners Canton Basel-Stadt, Swiss Life and Rhystadt have initiated the klybeckplus indicative project, which forms the basis for the utilisation planning.

    The approximately 30-hectare site is to become a mixed neighbourhood with residential complexes, commercial buildings and parks. The aim is to create living space for 8,500 people. According to the plans, a third of the flats will be made available to the public for rent at cost. In addition, 7500 jobs are to be created. The two owners, Swiss Life and Rhystadt, will invest 3 billion Swiss francs in the renovations, according to the press release.

    “The finalised indicative project, as it is now available, offers a good basis for realising the enormous potential of the site and creating significant and, above all, long-term added value for the population and the entire region,” Christian Mutschler from Rhystadt is quoted as saying in the press release. Jürgen Friedrichs from Swiss Life adds: “The indicative project shows how the diverse objectives from residential to open space can be combined while at the same time ensuring structural, spatial planning and economic feasibility.” District President Conradin Cramer is convinced that the project will create an “attractive new part of the city for the well-being of the population”.

  • Innovation for building refurbishment sets new standards across Europe

    Innovation for building refurbishment sets new standards across Europe

    HeiQ receives the German Sustainability Award for Products for its Xpectra technology, as detailed in a press release. The coating is sprayed onto buildings and reflects up to 74 per cent of heat radiation. According to the jury, the spray coating makes it easier to retrofit existing buildings in particular: “With this award, the jury is highlighting an innovation that shows how material-efficient technologies can simplify and accelerate the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings and thus make an effective contribution to climate protection.”

    Xpectra is managed within the Schlieren-based HeiQ Group by HeiQ Xpectra GmbH, which is based in Regensburg, Germany. HeiQ will accept the award on 4 December in Düsseldorf. The company is now planning to scale the technology in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. “The German Sustainability Award is a successful example of HeiQ as an innovator of deep-tech materials and of our joint commitment to innovation and sustainability,” Oliver Zech is quoted as saying. He is the CEO of HeiQ RAS AG, which is also based in Regensburg. “The award strengthens our position on the market and opens up new opportunities for joint marketing.”

    HeiQ is a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, is based at the IJZ Innovation and Young Entrepreneur Centre and is a member of Start Smart Schlieren.

  • Strategisches Wachstumsprogramm setzt auf Digitalisierung und Effizienz

    Strategisches Wachstumsprogramm setzt auf Digitalisierung und Effizienz

    Sika hat ein strategisches Wachstumsprogramm vorgestellt. Das weltweit operierende Unternehmen für Spezialchemie mit Sitz in Baar will mit dem Fast-Forward-Programm sowohl Investitionen als auch an anderer Stelle Einsparungen im dreistelligen Millionenbereich vornehmen, heisst es in einer Mitteilung.

    So will Sika im Bereich digitaler Transformation 120 bis 150 Millionen Franken investieren. Für effiziente Strukturanpassungen in China und anderen Märkten wird für das laufende Jahr mit einem Umfang von 80 bis 100 Millionen Franken gerechnet. Parallel zu den Investitionen will das Unternehmen in verschiedenen Bereichen jährlich 150 bis 200 Millionen Franken einsparen, mit „voller Wirkung ab 2028″. Zudem bestätigt Sika seine Strategie 2028 und damit ein angestrebtes Umsatzwachstum zwischen 3 und 6 Prozent.

    „Sika lanciert das Fast Forward-Programm aus einer Position der Stärke. Wir verzeichnen die höchste Gewinnmarge unserer Unternehmensgeschichte und machen Sika mit Fast Forward fit für die Zukunft“, wird Thomas Hasler, CEO von Sika, in der Mitteilung zitiert. „Wir investieren gezielt in Digitalisierung und Effizienz, um weltweit noch näher an unseren Kunden zu sein. Unser Ziel ist es, digitaler Spitzenreiter in unseren Märkten zu werden – als Grundlage für weiteres Wachstum und zur langfristigen Stärkung unserer hohen Profitabilität.“

  • Renovation creates modern space for research and teaching in Zurich

    Renovation creates modern space for research and teaching in Zurich

    The Careum Tower was officially inaugurated in mid-November after around two and a half years of renovation work. According to a statement from the Careum Foundation, which is in charge of the project, the former nurses’ tower block of the University Hospital Zurich(USZ) has now become a modern working and meeting place for education and healthcare. According to the statement, this will create more space on 17 floors in Zurich for the planned expansion in the field of medicine. This was celebrated at the inauguration with the Director of Education of the Canton of Zurich, Silvia Steiner, and the Director of University Medicine Zurich, Beatrice Beck Schimmer, among others.

    The Careum Foundation has concluded a 40-year lease agreement with the USZ with an option to extend. There are now 6000 square metres of floor space available with the possibility of 350 workstations. The foundation itself, which offers training and further education in the healthcare sector, intends to use three of the 17 floors itself. The Careum Publishing House and the Careum Centre for Health Literacy, for example, will move into rooms. The remaining space has been let to institutes of the University of Zurich Medical School.

    “We are thus expanding our campus and creating additional space for networking and inspiration between disciplines and institutions. In keeping with the purpose of our foundation, we are utilising the potential in Zurich’s university district to further promote education and research in the healthcare sector and make a contribution to healthcare provision,” Careum Foundation President Hans Werner is quoted as saying.

    According to documentation, the historical character played a central role in the renovation. For example, two floors were left in their original state. According to the press release, the responsible experts from Bhend & Schlauri Architects worked closely with the City of Zurich’s monument preservation authorities.

  • Lift technology strengthens the development of the destination Andermatt

    Lift technology strengthens the development of the destination Andermatt

    As a partner of Andermatt Swiss Alps, the Finnish lift and escalator manufacturer KONE has realised one hundred installations since 2011, according to a press release. As part of Samih Sawiri’s development project for the destination, 1.7 billion Swiss francs are being invested, with a focus on long-term partnerships. KONE passenger and goods lifts are now in operation in luxury hotels, villas and flat blocks in the area. The company, which has its Swiss headquarters in Brüttisellen, is also responsible for new escalators and a moving walkway at Andermatt railway station.

    According to the press release, most of the passenger lifts installed are the KONE MonoSpace 500 DX and KONE MonoSpace 700 DX models, while the goods lifts are TranSys DX models. In addition, customised lifts have been manufactured for the five-star Chedi Andermatt hotel, for example.

    Sustainability in terms of energy efficiency, energy recovery and service life played an important role in all projects, according to the company. This is not only in line with the Andermatt Responsible initiative, but also with KONE’s principles. It is noted that KONE was voted one of the 20 most sustainable companies in Europe by the trade magazine “Corporate Knights” in 2025.

    According to Jan-Eric Mahnkopf from Andermatt Swiss Alps, a project of this size and duration can only be successfully realised with strong, long-term partnerships. “With KONE, we have a technologically leading and flexible partner at our side who has reliably fulfilled our high demands on quality, design and efficiency for years,” Mahnkopf is quoted as saying as the construction project manager.

    According to KONE, this long-term approach has the advantage of optimising planning and logistics and always having sufficient materials and personnel on site. “The collaborating teams are perfectly attuned, they know the needs and requirements of the partner,” says Lukas Lehmann, the responsible KONE sales manager.

  • Advantages of intelligent building systems

    Advantages of intelligent building systems

    Porter, telephone operator and elevator operator – three examples of professions that used to be essential for the operation of buildings, but are now largely extinct. Access control, telecommunications, lifts and many other areas have long been automated. With digitalization, real estate is increasingly developing in the direction of “smart buildings”. A look at building automation shows what benefits this can bring and to what extent it also poses challenges.

    Networking trades
    Digitalization enables building automation to combine previously largely autonomous trades into a networked system. Continuous data exchange and optimized processes increase convenience for users as well as energy efficiency. In practice, however, this integrated approach is still associated with certain challenges, says Turan Babuscu, Head of Automation at Siemens Switzerland. “The coordination between the trades often takes place too late in a construction project.” This concerns, for example, the definition of interfaces and the clarification of responsibilities – topics that should be discussed as early as possible in the planning phase. “Only if integral collaboration is clearly defined from the outset can digitalization develop its full potential,” emphasizes Babuscu.

    Greater efficiency, more comfort
    The benefits of successful integrated building automation can be seen in operational efficiency, for example. If data is systematically recorded and evaluated, energy consumption can be reduced, faults detected at an early stage and needs-based maintenance cycles developed. The technical building systems thus require less energy and have a longer service life – two aspects that are of interest to owners and operators for both ecological and economic reasons.

    To ensure that all building services are networked and coordinated in a building automation system, the topic must be included at an early planning stage. (Photo: Siemens Switzerland)

    For users, on the other hand, the focus is primarily on the greater convenience that integrated building automation allows. One example of this is the adjustment of room temperature, lighting and air quality according to use, time of day and occupancy, resulting in a healthier and more productive indoor climate.

    AI provides support
    Babuscu predicts that the networking of different systems within a building will continue to increase in the coming years. “This requires open, secure protocols such as BACnet/SC or KNX Secure, which enable obstacle-free, encrypted communication between the trades and the cloud services.” And what about artificial intelligence (AI)? “It already has a firm place in building automation,” says Babuscu. “Many systems use learning algorithms to understand the building’s behaviour and optimize it automatically.” This development is set to continue. In future, AI is likely to increasingly make decisions itself, for example by determining the best operating strategy or the optimum time for maintenance. It is important that the use of AI is transparent, comprehensible and safe in order to gain the acceptance of those involved.

    Further information:
    https://www.swissbau.ch/de/c/vorteile-von-intelligenten-gebaeudesystemen.74100

  • Building objections Federal Council wants to crack down harder

    Building objections Federal Council wants to crack down harder

    A study commissioned by the Federal Office for Housing and the Federal Office for Spatial Development shows that objections and appeals are the most common reason why residential construction projects are delayed or even prevented. This drives up costs, slows down construction activity and contributes to the worsening housing shortage. Particularly problematic are cases in which objections do not serve to protect public interests, but primarily secure private advantages or are used as a means of exerting pressure. For example, when money is demanded for the withdrawal of an appeal

    New rules against abuse of the law
    The motion “Sanction abusive building objections” is intended to instruct the Federal Council to create a basis for obliging objectors without an interest worthy of protection or with a clear intention to abuse the law to pay costs and, if necessary, damages. The Federal Council is prepared to examine the existing possibilities for sanctions and to sound out the extent to which it can provide guidelines in the Spatial Planning Act on the legitimacy of objections and the consequences of abusive objections based on Article 75 of the Federal Constitution. The specific structure of the procedures should remain with the cantons, but within a federal legal framework

    Delicate demarcation and open risks
    Legal experts point out how difficult it is in practice to clearly qualify an objection as abusive. Financial compensation for the withdrawal of an appeal can be legitimate, for example, if neighbors give up views, peace and quiet or other positions. In addition, stakeholders such as the Swiss Heritage Society warn that stricter hurdles and threats of sanctions could weaken the protection of townscape and monuments. Especially in cantons without the right of appeal, where neighbors often act as the final protective authority. Parliament will therefore have to perform a balancing act. Speed up procedures and curb abuse without devaluing legitimate objections and democratic participation.

  • All the world’s buildings in a 3D model

    All the world’s buildings in a 3D model

    The GlobalBuildingAtlas comprises around 2.75 billion digital building models, making it the most comprehensive collection of spatially explicit building data to date. It includes all buildings for which suitable satellite images were available in 2019. The 3D models have a spatial resolution of 3×3 meters and are therefore around 30 times finer than previous global data sets. The atlas was developed by a team led by Prof. Xiaoxiang Zhu, holder of the Chair of Data Science in Earth Observation at TUM, which combines remote sensing, artificial intelligence and data-driven urban research in a global approach

    Detailed 3D models and global coverage
    Of the 2.75 billion entries, standardized LoD1 3D models are available for around 2.68 billion, which depict the basic shape and height of the buildings in simplified geometry. This allows volumes to be calculated, urban structures to be analyzed and settlement patterns to be compared worldwide. Of particular importance is the systematic coverage of previously underrepresented regions such as Africa, South America and rural areas, which are now captured with the same accuracy as dense metropolitan areas

    Tool for planning, climate and risk
    The data makes it possible to examine growth dynamics in fast-growing cities, identify high-density neighborhoods with potentially strained living space and determine infrastructure requirements more precisely. Researchers and administrations can thus develop indicators that show where the expansion of transport, energy and water networks, additional housing or climate adaptation measures are particularly urgent. At the same time, the GlobalBuildingAtlas creates a globally standardized reference system that allows analyses of urbanization, energy consumption and disaster risks on a comparable data basis.

  • Circular building with reeds

    Circular building with reeds

    The residential building by Marina Rosa and Jacobus van Hoorne, designed by Gilbert Berthold, architect and research assistant at BFH, deliberately stands out in a single-family housing estate on Lake Neusiedl. It combines a consistent timber construction with a striking thatched roof and thus relies on local, renewable raw materials with a low ecological footprint. The numerous awards, from the client prize of the Central Association of Austrian Architects to the architecture prize of the province of Burgenland and the newcomer prize “House of the Year”, underline the exemplary character of the project.

    Reeds as a high-performance building material
    Jacobus van Hoorne, originally a particle physicist at CERN, took over his father’s reed cutting and thatching business and developed it into an innovation laboratory. Together with Berthold, he developed a roof structure that met strict fire protection requirements and was officially approved through real fire tests. A milestone for reed in new buildings, even in densely populated areas. The gently curved roof surfaces follow the material logic. Each additional degree of inclination extends the service life of the roof, the construction makes the qualities of the natural material visible and legible.

    Geometry, material and space as a unit
    The floor plan of the house follows an S-shape resulting from the rotation of the central living space. At its heart is a two-storey, light-flooded atrium that opens onto the garden and is closely linked to the outside space via terraces. Compactly organized functional spaces create scope for spacious recreation areas. The interplay between the thatched roof and the natural oak façade connects the building and the landscape. The roof becomes a design-defining element and a contemporary interpretation of traditional craftsmanship.

    Real-life laboratory for bio-based materials
    For Gilbert Berthold, the project marked the start of his self-employment and at the same time a real testing ground for sustainable construction. Today, the house serves as a home, study object and exhibition space all in one. It provides data on energy efficiency, indoor climate and the long-term behavior of bio-based building materials. In the context of the BFH, it fits in with research into plant-based materials such as straw, flax, hemp and mycelium and shows that reeds can be used not only as an insulating material, but also in a leading architectural role.

    Symbol of a regenerative building culture
    The project illustrates how circular building with regional resources can already be implemented today. It shows students and professionals that regenerative architecture is not a vision of the future, but a built reality. With reeds as a strong symbol for a building culture that rethinks nature, technology and society.

  • Bassersdorf plans the next growth step

    Bassersdorf plans the next growth step

    Today, around 90 people work at the Pöschen, Gmeindwisen site on over 90,000 square meters. Over the next 20 years, 600 to 800 new jobs are to be created there and living space for around 1,200 people.
    With the further conversion of all plots, additional space for 100 to 200 more jobs and around 300 more residents is planned. The basis for this is the rezoning to a five-storey residential and commercial zone with a design plan obligation, which has been legally binding since February 2024. The development will take place in stages over several decades, with existing businesses retaining their place.

    Traffic, public transport and “low-car” concept
    The focus of the dialog with the population was on traffic. Questions were asked about parking, access and the future of the bus station. The planning team emphasized the clear focus on public transport. The district is not intended to accommodate through traffic, residents’ cars will be parked in underground garages and no new park-and-ride areas are planned. Despite the development of the area, the planned bypass will remain possible. Those responsible expect to attract a younger, more public transport-oriented population.

    Green spaces, neighborhood life and phasing
    The approximately 50 attendees were particularly positive about the generous green and open spaces, squares and connecting paths. The winning project structures the area into clearly recognizable neighbourhoods, with a noise-shielding block along Zürichstrasse, workplace-oriented uses towards the tracks and diverse residential areas in between. This structure facilitates implementation in stages. Complete realization is expected in ten to fifteen years.

    Political backing and participation
    Mayor Christian Pfaller and the landowners reaffirmed their support for the winning project and the long-term development of a diverse, sustainable district. As the municipality does not own any land itself, it is reliant on a cooperative approach with the owners. A school building is not required. Kindergarten and daycare facilities are planned, which the municipality intends to buy into. With the 2022 building and zoning regulations, the electorate approved the transformation to a mixed zone in principle, but at the same time anchored a design plan obligation. The current consultation event is part of this communication process. The feedback will now be incorporated into the indicative project, which will form the basis for the public design plan, which is expected to be discussed again next year.

  • Switzerland rethinks electric mobility

    Switzerland rethinks electric mobility

    The principle is familiar from smartphones. A transmitter coil transmits energy to a receiver coil via a magnetic field without the need for a plug. In the case of electric cars, this means that all you have to do is park and the charging process starts automatically. In the “INLADE” pilot project, Empa and energy supplier Eniwa AG tested this technology for the first time under everyday Swiss conditions. The project was supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and the cantons of Zurich and Aargau.

    Practical test passed
    Even in snow, rain and slight parking deviations, inductive charging achieves an efficiency of around 90 percent, comparable to the classic cable. AMAG and other partners equipped existing vehicles with receiver coils and integrated interfaces for charging management. Following extensive safety tests, the vehicles were granted individual approval for Swiss roads. They are among the world’s first electric cars with an inductive system that are suitable for everyday use.

    Mobile storage for the energy transition
    The real revolution lies in the potential. Electric cars are stationary for an average of 23 hours a day. If they were automatically connected to the grid during this time, their batteries could compensate for fluctuations in the electricity grid and stabilize renewable energies. Bidirectional charging, i.e. feeding electricity back into the grid, also works inductively. Vehicles are connected more frequently without users having to take any active steps. This makes every parking space a potential hub of a decentralized energy system.

    Economically attractive
    Intelligent charging reduces electricity costs, especially when charging during the day when photovoltaic systems feed a lot of energy into the grid. The combination of convenience, efficiency and grid integration makes inductive charging a promising building block for the mobility of tomorrow.

  • Swiss office market under pressure

    Swiss office market under pressure

    The available office space in Switzerland remains at 2.12 million square meters. A stable figure on the surface. However, this conceals a worrying trend. At 425,000 square meters, the average quarterly take-up in 2025 is significantly below the previous year (2024: 540,000 m²). This corresponds to a decline of around 21 percent. Companies are hesitating, making slower decisions or withdrawing from letting processes.

    No employment – costs are rising
    The reason for this lies in the weak labor market dynamics. Employment growth in typical office sectors has shrunk from an already meagre 0.3% in 2024 to 0.1% in the third quarter of 2025. The situation in industry is particularly dramatic. Here, job losses intensified from minus 0.2 percent (2024) to minus 1.1 percent (2025). High American import duties and a strong Swiss franc are an additional burden on Swiss companies. The planned tariff reduction could provide relief, but has yet to prove its worth.

    Maintaining centers, periphery under pressure
    The spatial polarization on the office market is intensifying. Availability remains low in the five largest Swiss centers, with the exception of Basel. In the city centers, the rates average 3.7 percent, in the surrounding urban areas 3.6 percent. The suburbs, on the other hand, are struggling with a vacancy rate of 9 percent. This shows an east-west divide. The suburbs of western Switzerland have seen significantly more new construction activity than German-speaking Switzerland.

    Risks for 2026
    If take-up remains at this low level, the vacancy rate threatens to rise in the coming year. Today’s stability could quickly become tomorrow’s brakes if employment growth and entrepreneurial willingness to invest do not return.

  • Hydrogen plant in Seewen suspended – market development remains crucial

    Hydrogen plant in Seewen suspended – market development remains crucial

    According to a press release, ebs Wasserstoff AG is suspending its project to produce hydrogen at the site of the surfacing plant in Seewen. The reason given for the decision is that sales and profitability are currently insufficient. However, the market situation is being monitored. Should demand increase, the project could be resumed.

    The Schwyz-based energy supplier ebs Energie AG holds a 60 per cent stake in ebs Wasserstoff AG, the road and civil engineering company A. Käppeli’s Söhne AG Schwyz holds a 25 per cent stake and the Basel-based energy supplier IWB holds a 15 per cent stake. Together, they submitted a planning application for a production plant in Seewen in 2022.

    According to a breakdown by ebs, the plant would produce hydrogen with a capacity of 5 to 6 megawatts for up to 100 lorries a day. This would have been sufficient for 11.1 million lorry kilometres per year and would have saved 7.8 million kilograms of CO2. The investment costs were estimated at CHF 16.8 million.

    Some of the hydrogen could also have been fed into the gas grid by ebs Erdgas Biogas AG. The waste heat from the electrolysis process could have been utilised in the surfacing plant.