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  • Improve quality, streamline processes

    Improve quality, streamline processes

    Since the revision of the Spatial Planning Act, economical land use has been the guiding principle, but in practice, procedures often remain slow and cumbersome. Interests clash, responsibilities are not always clear and objections can block projects for years.

    Anyone who wants to promote inner-city development must therefore start earlier. Project sponsors, planners, authorities, politicians and implementers should enter into a structured dialog before the planning application is submitted. This allows conflicts to be clarified, quality to be defined and procedures to be geared towards a realistic target image from the outset.

    Five factors for better procedures
    Representatives of the federal government, cantons, municipalities and the construction industry have identified five success factors in a dialog lasting several years. It requires attitude, early and structured dialog, clear responsibilities, acceptance and everyday benefits of the projects as well as a clear strategic embedding.

    What is often missing is less technical knowledge than consistent application in everyday life. Reliability between the stakeholders, the will to implement and tools that help to manage complex processes pragmatically. Corresponding work aids were presented at Swissbau in January 2026 and then made available online. As concrete support to “make building easier”.

    Contribution of the construction industry
    The construction industry is actively involved in the search for solutions. For example, as part of Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin’s housing shortage action plan and on the basis of studies by ARE and BWO. This work has resulted in a concept for a two-stage building permit procedure. The use and architecture are clarified first, followed by technical aspects and standards.

    This model is to be accompanied by consistent digitalization throughout the entire process. The aim is to increase planning security, avoid loops, clarify interfaces and thus reduce both the duration of the process and the workload for everyone involved. The concept is intended as a basis for discussion and makes the industry’s perspective tangible for authorities, politicians and the public.

    ISOS, townscape protection and municipal autonomy
    Another focus is on dealing with ISOS as well as monument and townscape protection. In the dialogues at federal level, it was established that cantons and municipalities can deviate from ISOS conservation objectives when fulfilling their own tasks, for example in housing construction, if there are overriding interests. This strengthens the municipalities’ scope for action and facilitates local considerations.

    An amendment to the ordinance is planned by fall 2026 in order to focus the direct application of ISOS on cases that are actually relevant to the townscape. At the same time, it is being examined how a new division of tasks between the federal government and the cantons could further develop the practice. A corresponding committee postulate from the National Council has been transferred. The construction industry is closely following this process and is calling for a sustainable balance to be struck between protection and development.

    Fast, digital and high-quality approval procedures
    The course is set: the industry is committed to leaner, digital and faster building approval procedures, with a clear focus on two-stage procedures, practical tools and reliable cooperation.

    After all, Switzerland’s inner city development can only succeed if everyone involved pulls together. With transparent processes, clear responsibilities and projects that are both qualitatively convincing and create urgently needed living and working space.

  • More living space from the system

    More living space from the system

    The construction and real estate industry is under pressure. Construction costs are rising, there is a shortage of skilled workers, the population continues to grow and climate targets set clear limits for CO₂ emissions. Serial construction provides answers to these challenges.

    Thanks to industrial prefabrication and standardized processes, construction times are shortened, workflows are more predictable and projects are more economical. The construction site becomes an assembly site, with less noise, less impact on the neighborhood and higher quality workmanship.

    What serial construction is all about
    Serial construction sees the building as a product, not as a one-off prototype. A system is intensively developed, thought through and used in many projects. Elements are largely created in the factory and assembled on site. This allows for precise costs and continuous improvement based on experience. Classic problem areas such as connections, thermal and sound bridges can be specifically mitigated.

    From prefabricated buildings to the “Teslamoment“
    Serial construction methods have a long history, from the early timber systems of the 1920s to the “Göhnerbauten” in Switzerland and prefabricated housing estates in the East. The efficiency was high, the design quality often not and the image still suffers today.

    The topic is currently experiencing a new wave. Hybrid systems combine room modules and 2D elements, offer more flexibility for different plots and regulations and are bringing architecture and urban planning back on board. Projects such as the student-oriented “Woodie” in Hamburg show that serial construction and architectural quality do not have to be mutually exclusive.

    Strengths: Time, costs, quality, climate
    Serial systems shorten construction times and increase cost certainty. Because components and details are standardized, budgets and deadlines can be set early and reliably.

    At the same time, industrial production opens up new scope for sustainability. Specifications for CO₂ reduction, material selection and energy efficiency can be consistently written into the system. Material passports and platforms are used to document installed components, making them visible as a resource for subsequent conversions or dismantling.

    Acceptance determines the future
    The big challenge is perception. In many people’s minds, serial construction stands for monotonous architecture and social problem districts. As long as current projects are only partially convincing in terms of design, this skepticism will persist.

    To be widely accepted, buildings need to deliver more than just efficiency. Good floor plans, a high quality of stay, differentiated outdoor spaces and careful integration into the urban space. Standardization should be seen as the basis on which diversity is created.

    Serial construction can become a central component of the building turnaround, faster, more plannable, more resource-efficient and circular. The technical prerequisites are in place, as are successful pilot projects.

    Whether the approach experiences its “Tesla moment” now depends on whether the industry and cities manage to combine industrial processes with high quality living and design and thus show that repetition does not mean uniformity, but can be the basis for sustainable, diverse neighborhoods.

  • Choice of materials to combat the urban heat

    Choice of materials to combat the urban heat

    Switzerland is heading for hotter summers, more hot days and more frequent extreme weather events. Cities and densely populated areas in particular heat up more than their surrounding areas and cool down more slowly at night – the well-known heat island effect. It is directly related to the way buildings are constructed; dense sealing, dark surfaces and solid structures store heat and only release it again with a delay.

    Because buildings and infrastructures stand for decades, the materials used today shape the microclimate of tomorrow. This makes the choice of materials a strategic decision. It influences not only energy requirements and comfort in the building, but also health and quality of stay in public spaces.

    What the new edition does
    This is where the second, expanded edition of the materials catalog comes in. The reference work from the Federal Office for Housing shows how different building materials influence the outside temperature and what contribution they make to a heat-resilient urban climate.

    The catalog compares common outdoor materials such as floor coverings, facades and now also roofs and greenery in dry and wet conditions. In addition to the effect on the ambient temperature, it takes into account additional properties such as reflection of solar radiation, durability and, in the case of coverings, infiltration capacity. This creates an overall picture that combines thermal, functional and water management aspects.

    Updated method, comparable results
    The new edition is based on simulations carried out by the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and the BWO. The materials already included in the first edition were also recalculated using improved simulation software.

    As a result, all results are based on a uniform methodological standard and can be directly compared with each other. For planners, this means that they can compare variants qualitatively and quantitatively and better justify their decisions to clients and authorities.

    Tool for planning and implementation
    The material catalog is designed as a practice-oriented reference work for new buildings and renovations in densely built-up areas. It supports specialist planners and property developers in integrating the effect of material selection on heat development into their processes at an early stage, from the project idea to detailed planning.

    In combination with other instruments for climate-adapted urban development, the catalog becomes a building block for heat-resilient districts. It helps to brighten surfaces in a targeted manner, utilize evaporation capacity, improve infiltration and thus gradually make the urban climate more robust in the face of climate change.

  • Startups that are turning construction upside down

    Startups that are turning construction upside down

    Tobias Hofmeier (Swissbau) and Moritz Kistenmacher (Startup Academy) provided the framework for young companies to gain visibility, access to partners and a professional environment. Startups made up almost half of the 70 or so partners in the Swissbau Lab Innovation Village. A clear signal of the importance of entrepreneurial innovation for Swissbau.

    For Swissbau, start-ups are not a marginal phenomenon, but a core element of the innovation program. Under the motto “Setting new impulses together”, the aim was to tackle challenges such as climate targets, resource efficiency, productivity pressure and a shortage of skilled workers together. These topics are key and innovation is the key to startups continuing to bring speed and the courage for radically new approaches.

    As part of the challenge, the Startup Academy Switzerland provided particularly close support to young companies from the construction and real estate industry. Some startups that were still pitching in the Innovation Lab a few years ago are now present at the trade fair with larger stands. It is precisely this development, from early prototype to established market player, that sets the Challenge in motion and has an impact far beyond the trade fair dates.

    Politics and location promotion as a tailwind
    The importance of this was underlined by the welcoming address from Cantonal Councillor Kaspar Sutter, Head of the Department of Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs of the Canton of Basel-Stadt. The canton was the patron of Swissbau and supports companies in switching to circular business models with Basel Circular. The fact that the Circular Award was presented here for the first time was logical and makes it clear that the circular economy and climate targets are now at the heart of construction policy.

    Sutter emphasized how strongly Basel is geared towards promoting innovation and with programs that provide concrete support for companies and industries. His message has an impact beyond Swissbau. Start-ups are central to every economic ecosystem; without them, new fields of technology would be almost inconceivable. A similar situation is emerging in the construction industry. The industry can only cope with technological and regulatory change if new players with fresh ideas join it.

    The canton of Baselland is also consciously focusing on innovation with its location promotion. Thomas Kübler, Head of Location Promotion Baselland, spoke at the finale about framework conditions that should make it easier for start-ups to grow and scale. The repeated partnership in the Swissbau Startup Challenge shows that networks are not only established here selectively, but that long-term ecosystems are built up. A basis from which the industry also benefits after the trade fair.

    Construction is central to the Swiss economy, but causes high CO₂ emissions and large amounts of waste. Basel-Stadt is pursuing an ambitious net-zero target of 2037. Such targets permanently increase the pressure and demand for solutions such as those presented by the finalists and further developed in projects and pilot applications.

    Six finalists, six answers to the construction turnaround
    The six start-ups in the final were Aconitum Swiss, Benetics, Impact Build, Moduvo, Planlabs and Talpa Inspection. They represented different levers of transformation, from digital process optimization to circular materials and rethought construction site communication.

    What they have in common is their approach to improving construction and real estate practice in a tangible way and achieving less waste, more efficiency and better data. The ideas on stage at the Swissbau Lab are not visions in a vacuum, but solutions that can already be integrated into projects, construction sites and planning offices today, where they are already having an impact.

    Interiors without plastic
    Aconitum Swiss has developed a biological material made of polymer collagen that does not require plastic and therefore reduces energy, resources and waste. The aim is to provide permanently healthier solutions for people and the environment. Founder Dr. Vlada Snus goes one step further and uses recycled leather and upcycled building materials such as broken concrete, sand, recycled glass and old roof tiles to produce porous acoustic panels. These panels improve room acoustics, filter air pollutants, viruses and bacteria and help regulate temperature and humidity. The system is recyclable, reduces plastic consumption and is already being used in B2B business in Switzerland, Europe and the Middle East – with potential for further expansion.

    Construction site communication without paperwork
    Benetics tackled a perennial issue on construction sites: communication and documentation. Instead of clipboards, paper plans, notes and chaotic chat histories, the start-up relies on a cloud-based platform with a smartphone app. The person responsible speaks their instructions into their cell phone, an AI automatically structures the information and stores clear tasks in the system under task, responsibility, deadline, necessary steps and photos.

    This is a particular advantage in an international industry. Employees receive their tasks in their own language. This reduces the administrative workload, errors caused by misunderstandings are reduced and the data flows cleanly into existing systems. This has already been demonstrated in the use cases presented, and in future even more construction sites can benefit from the fact that the people on site can concentrate more on what really matters – building.

    Robotics and earth material
    Impact Build is rethinking building components from the material basis. The ETH start-up wants to produce wall elements without traditional formwork, using robot-assisted production and local resources. The “impact printing” process shoots dense masses of excavated material and rubble onto each other at high speed so that the layers bond over the entire surface and load-bearing elements are created.

    The components produced in this way can be cut to size, detailed, coated and modularly combined. They regulate humidity and temperature, are inherently fire-resistant and acoustically effective, and all this with lower material, labor and transport costs. With the Circular Award behind it, Impact Build is now strengthening its position to bring mobile robot factories close to construction sites, reduce emissions and gradually roll out the model internationally.

    Circular interior walls
    Moduvo has set its sights on the plaster wall as a disposable product. The aim is to make interior walls recyclable without completely turning the practice on its head. The start-up developed prefabricated, wood-based wall systems that are quick to assemble and just as easy to convert or reuse. Ideal for offices with frequently changing layouts. The system is complemented by a timber stud construction kit that can be processed in a similar way to traditional drywall construction. Craftsmen do not have to learn any completely new techniques, but the rules of the game are fundamentally changed with less waste, less gray energy and better life cycle costs. The startup is therefore well positioned to respond to current and future regulations on the circular economy and climate protection and to make new and existing buildings fit for future requirements.

    Building services at the touch of a button
    Planlabs starts where a lot of planning time and material is tied up, such as in technical building services. The cloud-based platform automates the planning of ventilation, heating/cooling and electrical systems. All systems are taken into account simultaneously with real manufacturer components, local standards, automatic dimensioning and collision checks. The aim is less oversizing, better coordinated systems and significantly reduced planning time. Variants can be run through quickly and sustainability targets can be defined more precisely. What was presented in the final gives planners more freedom for concept work and quality and creates the basis for future projects to be planned in a more robust, resource-efficient and better documented way.

    Early warning system for corrosion damage
    Talpa Inspection is developing a new type of inspection probe that can be used to detect corrosion damage to concrete structures at an early stage before it becomes a safety-relevant problem. The spin-off team from ETH Zurich is replacing time-consuming, selective on-site measurements and paper protocols with a digital process. The probe systematically records condition data, which is visualized in a 3D digital twin of the structure. This allows the risk of corrosion to be precisely localized and infrastructure operators know where and when they need to intervene in order to renovate bridges and other structures in a targeted manner and extend their service life. Winning the Swissbau Startup Challenge gave Talpa Inspection additional impetus to put this technology into practice on a broader scale.

    Countdown 2030
    Countdown 2030 is an association of experts from the construction industry around the startups. At its heart is the “Reduction Roadmap Switzerland”. It derives national and sector-specific quotas from a global CO₂ budget, which are to be broken down to municipal level. This allows municipalities to align construction projects and local development with the climate budget. Denmark serves as a role model. There, binding life cycle assessment obligations and ambitious reduction paths have already led to innovation, material substitution and conversions. The message from the Swissbau Lab is that without clear CO₂ quotas, sensible regulation and the interaction between politics, administration and the market, the turnaround in construction will not succeed. However, they open up new scope for the very solutions that were on show in the final.

    Circular Award Circularity as a guiding principle
    The Circular Award, powered by Basel Circular, was presented for the first time at Swissbau as an award specifically for circular business models. Basel Circular, a partnership between the Canton of Basel-Stadt and other funding institutions, supports companies in the transition from linear to circular models.

    Project manager Stefanie Sendes made it clear at the finale that the construction sector is responsible for the largest share of waste generation in Switzerland. Her point remains valid: the circular economy is much more than just recycling. Reuse, reparability, modular products and sufficiency along the entire value chain are crucial, and this is precisely where many of the start-ups presented come in.

    The 2026 winners
    The Circular Award went to Impact Build, an award that underlines the potential of robotically manufactured components made from recycled materials. Here, resource conservation, industrial scalability and design quality come together directly and create a basis for concrete projects in the coming years.

    In the Swissbau Startup Challenge itself, third, second and first place were awarded. Impact Build secured third place, Benetics came second with its AI-supported construction site communication and Talpa Inspection was the main winner of the final. This order remains a snapshot, but the real race will only begin once the solutions have proven themselves on the market.

    In the end, the Swissbau Startup Challenge proved to be much more than just a stage for pitches. It functioned as a laboratory for the construction turnaround and as a meeting place for startups, established companies, politics and administration. The fact that the construction industry is the winner applies not only in retrospect to the days of the trade fair, but above all when the innovations presented now find their way into the everyday lives of planners, contractors and operators.

  • View into the fire zone

    View into the fire zone

    Fires in large buildings, tunnels or industrial plants are a race against time. Emergency services often have to venture into smoke-filled, unstable structures without knowing exactly what to expect. The FireDrone is designed to close this gap and, as a heat-resistant reconnaissance platform, flies into hazardous areas and delivers situation information to the screen in real time.

    Instead of sending people into areas at risk of collapse, the flying robot takes over the reconnaissance. It detects hazardous substances, helps to locate missing persons and shows sources of fire where visibility and access are limited. This reduces the risk for emergency services and increases the quality of decisions.

    Greater safety for fire departments and industry
    Toxic smoke, collapsing components and explosions are among the greatest risks in fire operations. Searching complex structures such as multi-storey parking lots, industrial halls or tunnels is particularly difficult and dangerous. This is where the drone comes into its own, as it can fly over such areas quickly and precisely without causing any damage.

    The heat-resistant drone also opens up new options in industry. Today, plants with furnaces, refineries or thermal processes often have to be shut down for hours or days before an inspection is possible. The drone should be able to inspect cement or steel plants as well as waste incineration plants during operation. This shortens downtimes, reduces costs and saves energy.

    Aerogel shell for 200 degrees
    Where conventional drones fail at around 40 degrees Celsius, this one stays in the air. Its core is a patented insulation made of ultra-light aerogel. This material consists almost entirely of air, embedded in a heat-resistant polyimide structure, and protects the sensitive electronics from temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius.

    The new generation dispenses with complex composite structures with glass fibers and relies on a pure polyimide aerogel that can be cast into three-dimensional shapes. This means that the shell is practically cast in one piece and fits snugly around the components.

    The new aerogel variant combines high heat resistance with mechanical flexibility and is supplemented by an internal temperature management system that actively monitors and cools the electronics.

    Thermal images in real time even without GPS
    When in use, the drone delivers high-resolution thermal images directly to the remote control. An infrared camera makes sources of fire, heat pockets or hidden people visible, even through thick smoke. Several emergency crews can follow the images at the same time and thus get a picture of the situation independently of the first team in the building.

    The drone can be modularly equipped with additional cameras or sensors. It can also measure outside temperatures or detect gases produced by fires. Another highlight is its use indoors. As GPS often fails in buildings, tunnels or covered industrial facilities, the system works with specially developed assistance and localization functions that ensure stable flights even without a satellite signal.

    From laboratory to operational vehicle
    The path from prototype to operational solution leads through tests under real conditions. The drone has already been tested on training grounds for firefighters and in operating industrial plants, including the Siggenthal cement works. The aim is for pilots to be able to use the drone safely in extreme situations after minimal training.

    With the planned FireDrone Nest, the spin-off is going one step further. The mobile, thermally insulated docking and maintenance station is to be integrated into fire engines or modern fire protection systems. After a mission, the drone lands automatically, is secured, checked and prepared for the next flight. This turns a research project into a reliable system for everyday use by fire departments and industry.

    Spin-off with a tailwind
    The drone represents a line of development that began in the Empa laboratories for “Sustainability Robotics” and “Building Energy Materials and Components”. Today, a spin-off from Empa and EPFL is driving the technology towards market application. The team is supported by various funding programs and foundations that enable the transition from idea to product.

    For the researchers, it is clear that the combination of new material technology, robotics and practical testing opens up a new chapter in firefighting. The task now is to take the drone from the test environment to real operations so that in future it can fly to places where it is better for people to keep their distance.

  • Cooperative housing for new Basel city district

    Cooperative housing for new Basel city district

    According to a press release, Basler Wohngenossenschaft (BWG)and Vivanta AG, a subsidiary of UTILITA Anlagestiftung für gemeinnützige Immobilien, will begin construction of two residential buildings on the Wolf site in Basel in 2028. They emerged as the winners of the competition in spring 2025 with a unanimous jury vote. Now, as the owner of the site at the former freight station, SBB has granted building rights for two construction plots. BWG plans to build around 150 cooperative apartments. Vivanta’s proposal envisages around 120 affordable residential units.

    SBB is developing a new urban quarter on around 160,000 square metres of the Wolf site. The first stage of development will begin in 2028 with the two aforementioned buildings in the western part of the site. The winning project, Janus, by the architectural firms M-AP from Lausanne and Experience from Paris, will be implemented for the new MF02 building. The new MF03 building, with the project name Binaria, is the work of Parabase GmbH from Basel and Confirm AG from Zurich.

    The jury reports for the two buildings on the MF02 and MF03 construction sites make it clear that, in addition to architectural, social and economic project requirements, recyclability and resource conservation were also key evaluation criteria. They state: “Repairability, maintenance and future dismantling (design for disassembly) must be ensured through the selection of suitable materials and their assembly.”

    According to the project description, a perimeter block development is intended to create urban living quality. Green spaces and open spaces will be designed according to the sponge city principle. They are intended to enable a pleasant microclimate and natural rainwater management. According to the tender, the renewable energy sources available on the construction site, such as heat recovery from wastewater, geothermal probes and photovoltaic systems, are to be “used to their full extent”.

  • Canton of Zurich presents design plan for Limmattal Energy Centre

    Canton of Zurich presents design plan for Limmattal Energy Centre

    According to a statement, the canton of Zurich will make the design plan documents for Limeco’s planned Limmattaler Energiezentrum (LEZ) available to the public from 20 January. Interested parties can view the documents for 60 days at the municipal office, the cantonal office for spatial development and online, and comment on the plan. Those responsible for the regional utility company and the canton will also be available to answer questions during a public information event on 21 January at Heimstrasse 46 in Dietikon.

    Limeco will have to rebuild its waste incineration plant (KVA) and wastewater treatment plant (ARA) in the coming years. The regional utility company wants to combine both facilities in the new energy centre on the site of the current KVA. The LEZ will also produce energy in the form of electricity, district heating and gas. The current WWTP in Antoniloch must be decommissioned by 2050 because it is located in a nature and bird sanctuary of national importance.

    The Zurich-based architectural firmPenzel Valier was awarded the contract for the overall concept of the energy centre in January 2025.

  • Pension funds focus on sustainable living

    Pension funds focus on sustainable living

    Vertina Investment Foundation, based in Baden, has received subscriptions totalling CHF 74.3 million for its Vertina Wohnen investment group. The target volume was CHF 50 million. This investment group focuses on the development and realisation of sustainable residential properties in Switzerland. Its residential share currently stands at 99 per cent.

    According to a press release, the proceeds from the issue will be an important component in financing and realising two residential projects in Zurich and Kloten (ZH) and in acquiring further properties. “This combination strengthens the portfolio base, expands investment opportunities and supports the long-term growth of the investment foundation,” the press release states.

    In the wake of this successful capital raising, the investor base has grown to 47 pension funds. “The high demand confirms our long-term value creation strategy and our active, holistic management approach,” said Marco Uehlinger, Chairman of the Foundation Board. “We are convinced that this will create sustainable added value for our investors.”

  • Modernization and building mobility: Why we need to build on the existing infrastructure

    Modernization and building mobility: Why we need to build on the existing infrastructure

    This is particularly evident in ageing elevators and escalators. Around 10 million of these systems are in operation worldwide, most of them in densely populated city centers. They are more susceptible to faults and safety risks. Ageing elevators also often restrict the freedom of movement of people with disabilities, for example by making it difficult to open revolving doors.

    Modernization is not just a question of safety or comfort. It is also one of the most effective instruments for reducing emissions. The construction industry is already responsible for around 40% of global CO₂ emissions – a figure that could double within 25 years if nothing is done. The European Commission estimates that 85 to 95% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 are already standing today. Replacing these buildings is not an option. The key to reducing CO₂ is therefore not to build new buildings, but to retrofit the older but still functioning systems.

    For all those who want to keep their buildings and cities alive, modernization is a necessary investment in resilience, sustainability and general well-being. Today, networked, data-driven systems can detect wear and tear, predict maintenance requirements and extend the service life of systems – making cities not only safer, but also smarter and more environmentally friendly.

    For many building owners, modernization is still a challenge. High investment costs, long downtimes and uncertainty about where to start are common concerns. Partial modernization is often a sensible middle way. It combines the advantages of new technologies with the continued use of intact components and thus significantly reduces costs and operational interruptions – without having to accept the expense and downtime of a complete replacement. In the elevator sector, this can save up to 90 percent CO₂ compared to a complete replacement.

    Our cities cannot be redrawn, but they can be developed further. When we modernize the mobility systems that move millions of people every day, we create urban environments that are safer, more inclusive and more climate-friendly – and ready for the challenges of the coming decades.

  • Sustainable commercial real estate in the focus of institutional investors

    Sustainable commercial real estate in the focus of institutional investors

    Swiss Life Asset Managers plans to launch the Swiss Life REF (CH) ESG Diversified Commercial Switzerland real estate fund, according to a press release. The listed fund will start with core and core-plus properties in above-average micro-locations in major Swiss cities and metropolitan areas.

    The properties will be held directly by the fund, which promises investors with Swiss tax domicile tax exemption on annual distributions and the assets invested in the fund. The fund is expected to offer high income stability, according to the press release. The portfolio of the planned fund is also based on an integrated ESG (environment, social, governance) strategy that promotes sustainable practices in the properties it holds throughout the entire holding period.

    “Our goal is to launch a new, high-yield real estate fund with stably leased properties in good locations in the current market environment – with disciplined selection, conservative assumptions and comprehensive assessment of the key risks,” said Paolo Di Stefano, Head of Real Estate Switzerland at Swiss Life Asset Managers. “The planned initial issue at net asset value (plus issue commission) offers investors an attractive entry point to participate in a significant, established portfolio that already meets our high sustainability requirements.”

    The project is currently undergoing the approval process of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). The launch of the fund at net asset value is planned for 1 April 2026.

  • Interior design combines design and technology

    Interior design combines design and technology

    Christinger AG from Brugg supported SV Group AG from Dübendorf with the interior design of its new hotel in Zurich. Moxy Zurich is a 162-room hotel located next to the Letzigrund Stadium. According to apress release, Christinger was responsible for part of the interior design, including large-scale images, lettering and various signage elements. The Christinger team used AI (artificial intelligence) tools for many elements of the image design.

    The Moxy is located at Badenerstrasse 537 and opened at the end of 2025. According to a statement from the SV Group, the hotel combines trend-conscious design with energetic hospitality and urban lifestyle.

    “Moxy stands for uncomplicated hospitality, modern design and a good dose of joie de vivre,” Marco Meier, Managing Director of SV Hotel, is quoted as saying in the press release. “With the new Moxy Zurich, we are creating a place that brings people together, whether they are travelling for business or pleasure.”

  • Regional strength compensates for weakness in the Asian market

    Regional strength compensates for weakness in the Asian market

    Sika has announced its preliminary annual results for 2025. According to a statement, the company expects sales of CHF 11.2 billion for 2025, which corresponds to sales growth of 0.6 per cent in local currencies. Sales in Swiss francs declined by 4.8 per cent, with the foreign currency effect amounting to 5.4 per cent.

    Organic growth amounted to -0.4 per cent. Business in the Middle East and Africa performed particularly well, with double-digit growth. In the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa), sales grew by 2.2 per cent overall. Sika also grew by 2.2 per cent in the Americas region, despite the negative impact of the US government shutdown in the fourth quarter. In the Asia/Pacific region, however, sales fell by 5.2 per cent, mainly due to a double-digit decline in the Chinese construction business. Excluding China, the region recorded positive growth.

    “Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, we achieved moderate growth in 2025 and further strengthened our market position,” CEO Thomas Hasler is quoted as saying in the announcement. The company is starting the new year “with a leaner cost structure and a clear investment roadmap to accelerate innovation and digitalisation”.

    Central to the coming years is the Fast Forward efficiency and investment programme, with which Sika is optimising production networks and organisational structures. Despite one-off programme costs of around CHF 90 million, the company expects an EBITDA margin of slightly above 19 per cent for 2025.

    Barbara Frei and Lukas Gähwiler are to be newly elected to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on 24 March 2026. 

  • Long-term supply agreement strengthens global wind energy industry

    Long-term supply agreement strengthens global wind energy industry

    Gurit Holding AG has signed a long-term supply agreement with one of the “world’s leading manufacturers of wind turbines,” according to a press release. The agreement has a term of five years and is expected to increase Gurit’s net sales by around CHF 250 million, depending on customer demand.

    The contract provides for ongoing deliveries of base material with Gurit OptiCore technology and includes volume commitments for onshore and offshore platforms in several regions worldwide. According to the press release, the agreement strengthens Gurit’s global leadership position in core technical solutions for wind energy and at the same time further advances the customer’s goals in terms of reducing the weight of its rotor blades. This will enable the customer to achieve improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced total cost of ownership.

    “This significant new long-term contract underscores our strong global market position and the lasting partnerships we have built with strategic customers,” said Tobias Lühring, CEO of the Gurit Group. “It reflects the confidence in Gurit’s innovative solutions and our ability to create long-term value. With our global presence, we serve customers in all key markets while optimising our capacities and efficiency. We are proud to support the renewable energy industry and contribute to its continued growth.”

    Gurit Holding AG, based in Wattwil, specialises in the development and manufacture of high-performance composite materials, tooling solutions and core kitting services (customised material preparation). The product portfolio includes structural core materials, profiles, prepregs (semi-finished products), resins, adhesives and engineering services.

  • Prices for detached houses and condominiums continue to rise

    Prices for detached houses and condominiums continue to rise

    Prices for owner-occupied residential property continued to rise in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a statement from Raiffeisen on its new transaction price index. Prices for single-family homes rose by 0.2 per cent compared to the previous quarter, while condominiums cost 1.2 per cent more. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2024, detached houses cost a total of 5.7 per cent more at the end of 2025, while condominiums cost 3.8 per cent more.

    Compared to the previous year, detached houses in the Bern (8 per cent) and Eastern Switzerland (6.9 per cent) regions recorded the highest price increases, while prices in Northwestern Switzerland remained somewhat more stable (3.0 per cent). Condominiums became particularly expensive in Central Switzerland (6.7 per cent) and Eastern Switzerland (4.3 per cent), while prices in the Bern region rose only slightly (0.8 per cent) and even fell on Lake Geneva (-0.5 per cent).

    Broken down by municipality type, centres (5.4 per cent) and tourist municipalities (5.3 per cent) recorded the highest price increases for single-family homes, while prices in urban centres rose the least on average, at 4.5 per cent. In terms of condominiums, tourist communities in particular saw significant growth of 4.6 per cent, while centres recorded the lowest price dynamics with an average price increase of 1.2 per cent.

    “In contrast to the rental housing market, where rental price growth has recently slowed somewhat due to declining immigration, price momentum in the owner-occupied housing market, which is more strongly influenced by domestic demand, remains high,” said Fredy Hasenmaile, Chief Economist at Raiffeisen Switzerland.

  • Joining forces to expand renewable electricity production

    Joining forces to expand renewable electricity production

    Swiss Renewables AG, based in Zug, and aventron AG, based in Münchenstein, want to move closer together. According to a statement, the two renewable energy producers are exploring the possibility of closer cooperation. Their aim is to exploit synergies and better tap into the potential for further expansion of renewable electricity generation.

    Both companies are subsidiaries of Swiss municipal and regional utilities. Aventron was founded in 2005 by the former Elektra Birseck Münchenstein, now Primeo Energie. In 2010, Energie Wasser Bern (ewb) acquired a stake in the company, followed by the city of Winterthur in 2013 through its municipal utility. Together, they now hold 63.3 per cent of the company. Aventron has interests in hydro, wind and solar power plants with an installed capacity of 826 megawatts in Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Norway.

    Swisspower Renewables, founded in 2011, is a subsidiary of Swisspower. Eleven members of Swisspower, including ewb and Stadtwerk Winterthur, as well as UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland 2 as a strategic financial investor, hold stakes in the company. Swisspower is an association of 20 municipal utilities. Swisspower Renewables has hydro, wind and solar power plants in Germany and Italy with an installed capacity of 311 megawatts.

  • Expansion of Building Solutions through acquisitions in Western Europe

    Expansion of Building Solutions through acquisitions in Western Europe

    Zoug-based building materials manufacturer Holcim has acquired Alkern, a French manufacturer of precast concrete elements based in Harnes. The aim of the acquisition is to advance Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 targets, according to which the Building Solutions division is to account for a total of 50 per cent of net sales by 2030.

    Alkern, which has more than 1,000 employees and 50 plants in France and Belgium and most recently generated annual net sales of €250 million, offers solutions for the built environment in addition to precast concrete products. The acquisition thus complements Holcim’s portfolio with wall, floor and water management systems in addition to precast concrete products.

    “Both Alkern’s leading position in precast concrete elements in France and its wall, floor and water management systems complement our portfolio and expand our high-quality range of building solutions. We welcome Alkern’s 1,000 employees to Holcim and look forward to creating further added value together while advancing the ‘NextGen Growth 2030’ goal,” said Dragan Maksimovic, Region Head West Europe at Holcim.

    According to Holcim, the acquisition will have a positive impact on earnings per share (EPS) and free cash flow in the first year. From the third year onwards, annual synergies of around €11 million and an improvement in return on invested capital (ROIC) are expected.

    Holcim, which claims to be a leader in sustainable construction, generated sales of €16.2 billion in 2024. The Zug-based company offers end-to-end building materials and construction solutions, from foundations and flooring to roofs and walls.

  • Winterthur introduces new guidelines for sustainable procurement

    Winterthur introduces new guidelines for sustainable procurement

    New guidelines for the procurement of goods and services will apply in Winterthur from 1 July 2026. As the city states in a press release, in addition to legal requirements and existing social and economic principles, ecological and social criteria will be given significant weight in future purchases of CHF 50,000 or more in all municipal departments. These criteria are to be “reviewed as concretely and comprehensively as possible” on the basis of 13 categories.

    In concrete terms, this means that decisions on which procurements are awarded will be made based on their impact on the climate, energy efficiency, resource conservation, pollutant avoidance and the circular economy. The reason for this is the energy and climate concept of the 2022 legislative period.

    The procurement of goods and services in particular has a significant impact on the carbon footprint. This means that negative effects on the climate and environment can be reduced particularly significantly in this sector.

    The city expects the anticipated positive effects on climate and resource protection to also increase its economic efficiency in the long term. With a volume of CHF 400 million in 2024, Winterthur is “one of the most important regional clients for the private sector” in terms of procurement.

    The shift from suitability and award criteria to life cycle costs, quality and durability creates greater commitment and transparency. “In this way, we are making an important contribution to achieving climate targets and promoting a sustainable economy,” says Katrin Cometta, city councillor and head of the Department of Security and Environment.

  • New double-track line relieves congestion on the route between Zurich and Winterthur

    New double-track line relieves congestion on the route between Zurich and Winterthur

    SBB has commissioned a consortium consisting of the construction companies Implenia from Opfikon and Marti from Zurich to build a new double-track line. As part of the Zurich-Winterthur multi-track project, the Swiss Confederation and SBB are planning to build a new line and expand the stations in Dietlikon, Bassersdorf, Wallisellen and Winterthur Töss. According to a statement, Implenia and Marti will each take on 50 per cent of the construction of five of the six lots in the project. The total contract is worth around CHF 1.7 billion, with Implenia’s share amounting to around CHF 830 million. The project is expected to take around ten years to complete.

    As part of the project, Implenia and Marti will take on the construction of the Brüttener Tunnel (lot 240), the Winterthur section (lots 140 and 141), the Dietlikon section (lot 340) and the Wallisellen section (lot 540). The new double-track line through the Brüttener Tunnel is intended to eliminate the 8.3-kilometre capacity bottleneck in the rail network between Zurich and Winterthur. Part of the bottleneck is a branch line towards Zurich Airport. The underground double-track expansion will involve the construction of a single-track tunnel with a diameter of around ten metres for each direction of travel.

    According to the announcement, the infrastructure project is geared towards the mobility needs of future generations and is therefore in line with Implenia’s strategy. “We are delighted that Implenia, together with our consortium partner Marti, will be able to contribute our many years of experience and comprehensive expertise in infrastructure construction to make this important section fit for increasing frequencies and future requirements,” said Implenia CEO Jens Vollmar in the press release.

  • Farewell to an energy price with a signal effect for the future

    Farewell to an energy price with a signal effect for the future

    The Swiss Federal Office of Energy is awarding the non-monetary Swiss Energy Prize Watt d’Or for the 19th and last time. The aim is to raise awareness of exceptional achievements in the energy sector and the advantages of innovative energy technologies. According to a press release, winners in the categories of energy technologies, renewable energies, energy-efficient mobility, and buildings and space will be honoured at the award ceremony.

    The Rigitrac SKE 40 e-direct electric tractor, which is ready for series production and has European type approval, impressed in the energy-efficient mobility category. Rigitrac Traktorenbau AGfrom Küssnacht am Rigi SZ developed the vehicle specifically for work where exhaust fumes and noise are undesirable, such as maintenance work for municipal utilities, in vegetable tunnels or at indoor sporting events.

    The winner in the energy technologies category is the Innovation Lab from Gaznatin Aigle VD, which is working with researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and start-ups to bring technologies for sector coupling, decarbonisation and seasonal storage to market maturity. The project is based on the GreenGas concept, which combines combined heat and power, photovoltaics, electrolysis, hydrogen storage, CO2 capture, methanisation and Gaznat’s gas network in Aigle.

    An alpine façade solar power system from endigo Holding AGin Fiesch VS secured victory in the renewable energies category. The lightweight timber construction with a slatted façade, which is installed in Fiesch, represents the values of the endigo group of companies: close to nature, future-oriented, system-oriented and technically competent.

    In the buildings and space category, the jury selected the Hobelwerk site in Oberwinterthur, which was developed by the building cooperative mehr als wohnen,Lemon Consult AG and Low-Tech Lab, all from Zurich. The partners created an energy-efficient, sustainable and socially well-thought-out residential and commercial quarter that will serve as a model for non-profit housing construction in Switzerland in the future.

    A total of 55 entries were submitted for the Watt d’Or, with 17 entries nominated for the final round.

  • Modern eGates drive terminal modernisation forward

    Modern eGates drive terminal modernisation forward

    Dormakaba has announced a strong order situation in the German airport sector. The locking technology company supplies, replaces and maintains more than 650 Argus Air sensor gates, known as eGates, at Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf airports. The order volume is in the low double-digit million range.

    From spring 2026, new Argus Air boarding sensor gates will be in use in Frankfurt (Terminal 1) and Munich (Terminal 2). The access solutions enable passengers of Lufthansa and Star Alliance airlines to board easily themselves. In Frankfurt, dormakaba is also supplying sensor gates for the new Terminal 3 and has equipped all security-relevant passages in the terminal with security doors.

    “We continue to see very strong demand for our access control solutions in the airport sector,” CEO Till Reuter is quoted as saying in the announcement. “We are delighted that many long-standing customers are once again relying on our systems when modernising their terminals. The replacement of older systems with modern solutions shows that the requirements for security, efficiency and passenger comfort continue to increase.”

    Dormakaba’s eGates link biometric recognition data with boarding passes and ID cards and compare this information with databases. According to the company, the sensor technology reliably identifies authorised persons, prevents the exchange of access authorisations and double access, and distinguishes between people and luggage.

    Dormakaba achieved net sales of CHF 2.9 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year with 15,000 employees worldwide.

  • Zimmerberg region consolidates wastewater treatment in new plant

    Zimmerberg region consolidates wastewater treatment in new plant

    STRABAG AG is involved in the Zimmerberg wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) project. The Schlieren-based construction company is erecting the shell of the new Scheller pumping station in Horgen on the former Gasi site. According to a statement, the aim of this work is to replace the existing WWTPs in Horgen and Thalwil with a new plant.

    Both existing wastewater treatment plants are “getting on in years”. Instead of operating both pumping stations individually, which would involve high investment costs for comprehensive modernisation, both municipalities have decided to join forces and create a “joint, modern wastewater treatment plant” for the Zimmerberg region. Once the joint treatment plant is operational, the existing Horgen wastewater treatment plant will be dismantled. The resulting unused land on the lake shore will be made available for public use and urban development.

    The participating municipalities of Horgen, Oberrieden, Rüschlikon and Thalwil already joined forces in September 2020 to form the ARA Zimmerberg special-purpose association. ARA Zimmerberg expects that from 2029 onwards, it will be able to treat the wastewater of up to 78,000 residents and industry in the Zimmerberg region.

  • Real-time data against heat stress in construction and energy

    Real-time data against heat stress in construction and energy

    TrueWindSpeed is targeting the construction and energy industries in the Gulf region at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. As one of the exhibitors at the SWISS Pavilion, the Geneva-based start-up will be presenting its Heatector from 11 to 15 January 2026. The networked environmental measuring station provides fully automated, location-specific data for extreme climatic conditions. The high-precision sensor measures the WBGT index (wet bulb globe temperature) at the site of use in order to accurately assess the thermal load. By providing real-time data and automated alerts, it is designed to help companies comply with safety regulations and optimise their productivity.

    TrueWindSpeed has developed Heatector so that the measuring station can be deployed quickly and easily. The battery life is designed to allow the station to operate autonomously for five years. Heatector is now ready for the industrialisation phase.

    Extreme heat is a major occupational hazard recognised by the International Labour Organisation and the World Health Organisation, TrueWindSpeed argues in a statement. Beyond the health risks, heat stress is expected to reduce global working hours by 2.2 per cent in 2030 and cost the global economy $2.4 trillion. Heatector aims to convert this risk into manageable, verifiable data for ESG reporting. ESG stands for environmental, social and good corporate governance. In addition, the technology “protects the dignity of workers, prevents serious accidents and ensures social justice in the face of climate change,” according to TrueWindSpeed.

    “In a warming world, it is no longer enough to rely on general weather apps to ensure safety,” says company founder Guillaume Locher, who trained as an engineer at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), in the press release. “We provide the accurate on-site data needed to transform heat hazards into measurable safety and resilience for workers.”

  • Market digitally. Sell more economically.

    Market digitally. Sell more economically.

    For over two decades, the Swiss real estate industry has benefited from the performance of established brands such as ImmoScout24, Homegate and Flatfox, which SMG Real Estate continues to develop further. Such platforms have become an integral part of the everyday lives of home seekers and real estate professionals alike. The results in practice are correspondingly clear: In an analysis by management consultants McKinsey, over 90 percent of the agents surveyed rated real estate marketplaces as by far the most cost-efficient marketing channel. Without their use, the successful sale of a property would take around 25 days longer on average, according to the respondents.

    To enable this efficiency, SMG Real Estate combines direct access to some of the most widely used real estate platforms in Switzerland with a continuously growing range of data-based products and services. The aim is to generate more qualified leads, shorten marketing times and further reduce the cost per contact request. For real estate agents and property managers, this results in a sustainable competitive advantage: new mandates can be acquired more efficiently, deals can be concluded more quickly and sales and lettings can be realized with a significantly better cost-benefit ratio than would be possible via alternative marketing channels.

    In addition to the high reach, SMG’s platforms also impress with strong economic key figures. This is particularly evident in the costs per contact request: according to McKinsey, the platforms operated by SMG Real Estate have the best price-performance ratio in the industry compared to the next largest competitors. Specifically, the costs per qualified contact request are three to four times lower on average. More than half of the buyers surveyed in Switzerland found their dream property on ImmoScout24 or Homegate.

    However, it is not only the large number but also the quality of the contacts generated that is a decisive success factor. The McKinsey analysis also shows that advertisements on specialized real estate platforms generate on average twice as many qualified contact requests as comparable offers on other channels. Less wastage and shorter marketing times also have a positive effect on the success and revenue per advertisement.

    In addition to the high marketing opportunity, operational efficiency is an equally important driver of economic success. On SMG Real Estate’s platforms, automated and AI-supported advertisement text creation reduces the time required per advertisement by around 14 minutes on average. Intelligent matching algorithms, personalized marketing formats, specific recommendations based on data-based analyses and modern cybersecurity solutions are also used. As a result, real estate offers reach relevant potential buyers faster, in a more targeted and secure manner.

    Overall, it is clear that digital real estate marketing delivers its greatest economic benefits where wide reach, meaningful data, intelligent automation and high efficiency consistently work together. The result is more qualified contacts, shorter marketing times, lower costs per inquiry and a sustainable increase in profitability for real estate players.

    Find out more

  • Canton Zurich wants to use large roofs for solar power

    Canton Zurich wants to use large roofs for solar power

    The Zurich Cantonal Council wants to improve the security of the electricity supply with solar power and long-term storage. According to a statement, it presented two proposals to amend the cantonal energy law on 6 January.

    The first bill stipulates that roofs larger than 300 square metres must be equipped with solar panels across their entire surface. This requirement applies to new buildings and the renovation of existing roofs. The cantonal government estimates the potential of fully utilising all suitable roofs at around 6 terawatt hours of electricity per year. This corresponds to around two-thirds of the canton’s current electricity consumption. According to the cantonal government, around 60 per cent of this potential lies in large roofs.

    The second bill provides for the expansion of long-term storage facilities. Electricity grid operators are to jointly promote these in future. This promotion is to be financed by a levy on electricity consumption not exceeding 0.5 centimes per kilowatt hour. The corresponding promotion fund is to be managed by the Zurich Cantonal Electricity Works (EKZ). The cantonal government wants to use this to make the surplus solar power generated in summer available for use during the winter months.

    Both proposals will now be submitted to the Cantonal Council for deliberation.

  • Official surveying in Switzerland gets a new strategy until 2040

    Official surveying in Switzerland gets a new strategy until 2040

    The institutions involved in Switzerland’s official surveying have defined a new strategic direction for the period up to 2040. According to a statement by the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo, the federal government, cantons, municipalities and the institutions responsible for updating the data are placing users at the heart of the system. Swisstopo will coordinate the implementation of the new strategy.

    According to the information provided, it aims to ensure a “more transparent, up-to-date and usable official surveying system for society as a whole”. This will create legal certainty, for example in decisions relating to spatial planning. In addition, the new system is intended to guarantee and improve the protection of property rights through the land register and to support innovation and sound planning in the future.

    The strategic vision also envisages the integration of new technologies, in particular artificial intelligence and three-dimensional modelling. For example, 3D views can replace two-dimensional division plans for condominiums. Height restrictions can also be taken into account more reliably when it comes to rights of way or passage, for example.

    In addition, these technologies also allow the documentation of past events. This can be crucial in disputes or when assessing the legal situation. “The new vision,” according to swisstopo, “aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and the use of data by all stakeholders – citizens, surveyors, GIS specialists, public administrations, companies and research institutions.” GIS refers to geographic information systems.

  • Valais start-up drives district heating planning forward in Europe

    Valais start-up drives district heating planning forward in Europe

    The software solutions developed by Valais-based start-up Urbio, which supports energy suppliers in their transition to clean energy and facilitates the creation of energy plans and district heating networks, will soon be available throughout Europe. The start-up has previously supported more than 200 projects in Switzerland, Germany, France and Belgium.

    The reason for the European expansion is the considerable potential for district heating, according to a press release. District heating could cover 50 per cent of Europe’s total heating needs from renewable sources, compared with just 10 per cent at present, and even less in some large economies. Sébastien Cajot, CEO of Urbio, identifies the obstacles: “We repeatedly encounter the same weaknesses in the initial planning phases: there is a high degree of uncertainty, reliable data is scarce and financing is difficult. As a result, fossil fuels remain the standard solution for most property owners.” This is where Urbio comes in, explains the CEO: “Collecting data, analysing it and dimensioning energy infrastructures: Urbio digitises this process in a single application. Thanks to generative design, our algorithms offer the most suitable solutions according to predefined energy requirements. The solution currently includes energy planning for specific areas, feasibility studies for district heating and direct integration with third-party tools such as websites or CRMs.”

    Industry players can now create their account on urb.io and learn about examples of projects that have already been completed. The first project application of the software solution is free of charge.

  • From material to strategy – circular thinking in construction

    From material to strategy – circular thinking in construction

    This year’s Swissbau is focusing participants’ attention on the topic of circular economy and materials as one of seven key themes. With a total of 35 keynote sessions, panel discussions, themed events and practical solutions, it is the most prominent theme at the leading trade fair for the Swiss construction and real estate industry after digitalisation and collaboration, which has 38 events. Overall, the content on offer is grouped around seven key themes.

    Swissbau 2026 will take place in Basel from 20 to 23 January under the motto “Setting new impulses together”. On 24 January, the new Trend World in Hall 1.2 of the exhibition centre will still be open.

    The programme, with the main theme of circular economy and materials, will start on Tuesday, 20 January, with the themed event “Faster, cheaper, more sustainable: modularisation and prefabrication make construction projects better”. Speakers include Konrad Graser from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Fabian Franke from ERNE Holzbau, MOD founder and CEO Marc Beermann, and Tom Van Mele from VAULTED.

    On Wednesday, 21 January, the keynote session “Building without materials – what does circular design need?” is scheduled. In this session, speakers from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts will use concrete examples to show how existing materials can be transferred to further cycles of use using new methods. Contributions will also come from Basler Bauteilbörse, Bau-Teilen GmbH and Flumroc AG.

    A practical talk will highlight the technical and architectural aspects of wood as a material, while another will examine the possibilities and limitations of the circular economy using the example of laboratory buildings. The panel will discuss whether concrete can become “the game changer of the construction revolution”. The main event on Thursday, 22 January, will be the event on the topic of “The circular economy in practice – how can we solve conflicting goals together?”

  • More flexibility in hotel industry training in Thun

    More flexibility in hotel industry training in Thun

    The Thun Hotel Management School will introduce a hybrid school hotel model from the 2026/27 academic year onwards. Students will then be able to choose whether to complete their training at the school hotel with or without overnight accommodation. According to a statement, this is intended to offer greater flexibility.

    The school is responding to “changing needs among students and businesses, as well as new economic conditions”. For some students, staying overnight at the school hotel is a financial challenge.

    To make both models possible, teaching hours, inter-company courses and the organisation of the school day will be adjusted accordingly. In doing so, the practice-oriented management school for the hotel and catering industry in Switzerland aims to “preserve what has proven itself while breaking new ground” and “ensure the long-term attractiveness of the school block model”.

    As the Thun Hotel Management School emphasises, both variants guarantee the same quality of training, support and structure. The hybrid school hotel model applies to all three training occupations – hotel communication HOKO, hotel and catering specialist FAHH/PAHH and restaurant specialist REFA/REAN – and to all years of training.

  • Intelligent lighting control for sustainable buildings and cities

    Intelligent lighting control for sustainable buildings and cities

    Esave has developed two new control solutions for sustainable lighting concepts. According to a statement from the Chur-based provider of intelligent lighting solutions, these solutions are designed to ensure optimal lighting conditions in public spaces and buildings. The DT8 TC driver for white light and the DT8 RGB driver for coloured light both support the professional lighting standard DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface), which allows multiple lights to be managed in a coordinated manner. The company highlights the low complexity of installation, high control precision, energy efficiency and adaptability. Operating costs could be significantly reduced with DT8, it says. Esave will present both control systems from 13 to 15 January as part of the SWISS Pavilion at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2026 in Abu Dhabi.

    “With DT8 TC and RGB, esave makes lighting intelligent. Buildings and public spaces can now dynamically adjust colour and brightness to suit comfort, efficiency and mood – centrally controlled with intelligent high-performance technology,” says esave CEO Rico Kramer.

    DT8 TC is designed for architectural, industrial and public applications and offers dynamic, dimmable white light. According to the description, the system is ideally suited for human-centric lighting, where brightness and colour temperature are dynamically adjusted to the natural biorhythm of humans. This is intended to support well-being, concentration and health.

    DT8 RGB enables multi-coloured lighting with an extended spectrum and deeper colours. Esave is targeting atmospheric and decorative applications with this product. Examples include installations in the event or art sector.

    The company now has locations around the world and, according to its website, was founded by three friends: Rico Kramer, Hanno Baumgartner and Daniel Jörimann. In Switzerland, around 20 employees work for esave in development, production, support, sales and training. Production takes place exclusively in Switzerland, with great emphasis placed on sustainability.

  • IWB apprentices recycle street lights in their own start-up

    IWB apprentices recycle street lights in their own start-up

    A group of IWB trainees is turning disused Metro 45 street lamps into high-quality floor lamps. Sketches were turned into a prototype, and the first ten lamps have now been built. The team received support from experienced employees. According to a statement from IWB, a total of around 2,400 old lamps are suitable for reuse. The trainees have founded their own start-up to implement their project. The team includes a businessman, a business IT specialist, a road transport specialist, a network electrician and a metalworker.

    In a video published alongside the press release, one of them says that it is “exciting to work together with other apprentices; it brings us closer together”. One colleague thinks it’s “cool that we’re allowed to take on so much responsibility and that they trust us to make the right decisions”. Another colleague points out that it’s “difficult to have to make all the decisions yourself”. “But somehow it’s also fun, especially when you see the final product of the prototype and know what the sketch once looked like.”

    Project manager Saskia Damann explains the aim of IWB: “We want our students to learn as much as possible, for example things like entrepreneurial thinking, circular thinking and personal responsibility. These are skills they will need for their future.”

    What began as an idea, according to the IWB in a further statement, “is slowly taking shape and shows what is possible when learners take responsibility and work together across disciplines.” As a partner, the Basel-based lamp manufacturer and retailer Regent Lighting made the decisive step possible. It carried out the safety and quality tests. Planning for the second production round is currently underway.