immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Projects

  • The new Lokstadt: urban, versatile, steeped in history

    The new Lokstadt: urban, versatile, steeped in history

    With Lokstadt, Implenia is developing a new, urban and diverse neighbourhood with 750 flats for around 1500 people. Lokstadt is located south-east of Winterthur railway station. In the past, this area was home to the workshops of the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Factory (SLM) – the most important locomotive forge in Switzerland. The neighbouring Sulzer factory took over SLM in the 1960s.

    The Rocket skyscraper is the tallest wooden residential building in the world being planned at
    .

    Some of the locomotives produced by SLM serve as namesakes for the various building plots. For example, the “Tender”: condominiums were realised here, which have been ready for occupancy since the beginning of 2023, as well as commercial space. The flats in the 17 “townhouses” were also for sale: these are four- to five-storey maisonette flats that have already been completed. In a second construction phase, six four-storey “townhouses” were built: these comprise a total of 24 flats and have been ready for occupancy since spring 2023. The “Elefant” office building, which is located directly on Zürcherstrasse, will also soon be ready for occupation.

    The central dialogue square will be framed by three buildings in future. The first is the “Krokodil” in timber construction. Here, 254 flats have been created to fulfil the diverse housing needs of three cooperatives and individual homeowners. Vertical bands of windows are reminiscent of the former industrial halls and give the building a clear structure. BIGBOY” is located at the front of Dialogplatz: the building, which is over 50 metres high and has 16 floors, is home to 125 rental flats and five office and commercial spaces of between 55 and 370 square metres. The roof terrace offers a unique view over Lokstadt and the whole of Winterthur. The industrial past of the site is honoured by the brick façade. Bigboy will be ready for occupancy in summer 2023. The third building is still under development and is currently the tallest planned timber high-rise in the world: “Rocket”, developed and realised on behalf of Ina Invest, will be 100 metres high and, with 32 storeys, will become the landmark of the new district and the Winterthur skyline. There are plans for 255 flats. Charitable flats are also planned in the “Tigerli” plinth building. A hotel is also planned. The move-in date is planned for 2027.

    BIGBOY offers 125 flats and a roof terrace for residents.

    Lokstadt stands for the sustainable use of resources, a carefully planned variety of uses and the innovative revitalisation of listed buildings. These include the former factory buildings. Under the leadership of Implenia, these are being transformed into experience spaces that reflect local history and modern city life. The neighbourhood is being developed step by step in accordance with the requirements of the 2000-watt society. Despite the dense construction, emphasis is placed on sufficient open spaces and a high quality of stay. The site will be developed with an underground car park for motorised traffic across all building plots. Above ground, pedestrians and cyclists have priority thanks to a generously designed pedestrian zone.

    With Lokstadt, Winterthur connects the 19th century with the 21st century: Here, the city’s industrial history is brought together with Winterthur’s future as a residential, educational and service city. The neighbourhood is being built for people who love city life and care about sustainability. In future, a Lokstadt app will serve as a communication and interaction channel for all tenants, owners and employees.

  • Lucerne through station: major project reaches milestone

    Lucerne through station: major project reaches milestone

    The Lucerne through station is intended to eliminate bottlenecks in the Lucerne rail hub with new, underground approaches and an underground station. The project, which is currently in the planning phase, is intended to create capacity in today’s fully utilised railway system and thus enable new, more direct and faster rail connections in the future. “The underground station and the new, underground access routes will improve the accessibility and attractiveness of Central Switzerland,” says Massimo Guglielmetti, SBB overall project manager for Lucerne through station. “Without infrastructure expansion, further development of rail services in Lucerne is no longer possible.”

    In the preliminary project, SBB presents the technical feasibility of the large-scale project, which consists of the sub-projects underground station, three-lane tunnel and Neustadt tunnel:

    • With the underground station, a total of 44 metres wide platform hall for four tracks will be built below the existing station. This will create more space at Lucerne station, which is currently used by around 100,000 passengers every day
    • The 3.8-kilometre-long three-lane tunnel will create an underground, direct line from Ebikon to Lucerne, crossing under the lake basin over a length of 400 metres. This second access removes the bottleneck situation in the railway network and enables more frequent and faster train connections
    • The 2.1-kilometre-long Neustadt Tunnel connects the underground station to the existing access road. This will enable through connections and eliminate the need for a majority of trains to turn around in the Lucerne terminus station

    In order for the planned improved service to be of benefit to the whole of Central Switzerland, the railway infrastructure in the catchment area must also be expanded at certain points. In addition, parking facilities are needed outside Lucerne station to be able to park trains overnight and outside peak times

    Lowering tunnel under the lake basin
    Compared to previous plans, a lowering tunnel is now planned for the subway of the lake basin. Five prefabricated elements of the tunnel tube will be lowered into the bottom of Lake Lucerne. This means that it is not necessary to drain the lake basin in sections. The environment and landscape are less affected. This construction method has never been used in Switzerland before.

    The costs for the three project parts, the underground station, the Dreilinden tunnel and the Neustadt tunnel, are estimated at 3.3 billion Swiss francs. For the realisation, SBB expects a construction period of 11 to 13 years

    Additional studies on howto proceed
     SBB is now clarifying possible implementation sequences for the major project on behalf of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT). The results should be available by the end of 2023. A decision will then be made on the next steps in the project. “All the work is going according to plan. I am convinced that the Federal Council will be able to present a well-studied and advanced project to parliament in 2026,” Anna Barbara Remund, FOT Vice Director and Head of the Infrastructure Division, told the media in Lucerne. The federal parliament will ultimately decide on the implementation

    Great importance for Lucerne and Central Switzerland
    The expansion of the Lucerne railway junction is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the region. “Central Switzerland has been waiting for the urgently needed infrastructure upgrades at the Lucerne hub and in the direction of Zurich for 50 years,” held Cantonal Councillor Fabian Peter, Director of Construction, Environment and Economic Affairs and President of the Central Switzerland Public Transport Directors. “An attractive public transport offer is crucial if we are to be able to cope with mobility growth at all and handle it sustainably,” said Fabian Peter. “In order for the through station to unfold its full benefits, Central Switzerland expects it to be realised and financed from a single source.”

    For the city of Lucerne, there will be the opportunity to make the space around the station attractive, to make the station more accessible and to increase the quality of stay. “The city will also work to ensure that the construction period of over ten years is as compatible with the city as possible,” said City Councillor Manuela Jost, Director of Construction. “Even during this time, open spaces must be preserved and the city centre must remain accessible.”sBB is planning the through station on behalf of the Federal Office of Transport. It is working with the canton and city of Lucerne, Zentralbahn, the Lucerne transport association and the cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden, and is involving the LuzernPlus association of municipalities.

    Source www.sbb.ch

  • Implenia wins building construction contracts worth more than CHF 170 million in Germany and Switzerland

    Implenia wins building construction contracts worth more than CHF 170 million in Germany and Switzerland

    Implenia has been commissioned by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts to act as total contractor for the planning and construction of a new rehearsal and workshop centre (PWZ) for the Bavarian State Theatre in Munich, ready for operation. After the Regensburg Initial Reception Centre and the Regensburg State Housing Estate, this is already the third project Implenia has realised as a total contractor for the Free State of Bavaria as client, represented by the Regensburg State Building Authority. Planning began in March and construction is due to start in June. Handover to the client is scheduled for December 2026. The order volume for Implenia is more than EUR 140 million.

    The agreed services include the planning and construction of the PWZ, from the excavation pit for the 93-metre-long and 86-metre-wide L-shaped building to the interior design, including building services, materials handling technology and stage technology for three rehearsal stages, as well as workshop equipment and canteen facilities. The contract also includes the design of the outdoor facilities, including a depot with access zones, delivery and parking areas for lorries and containers, an underground car park and the landscaped outdoor area.

    The technically demanding project includes the creation of large, freely spanned spaces for the rehearsal stages, which, as a steel composite construction, are reminiscent of bridge construction. An acoustically highly effective building partition will protect the rehearsal wing from noise and vibrations from the workshop wing. Other special soundproofing devices will allow the rehearsal stages to be used in parallel. Implenia was able to win the best planners for the special trades of stage technology and workshop technology.

    Partnership and integrated approach impressed even at the bidding stage
    Implenia impressed even at the bidding stage with its partnership approach and a team of highly qualified internal and external specialists who offered solutions to the complex technical requirements of the project. In the implementation phase, Implenia will manage the team and, together with its own specialist planners, realise the input and implementation planning as well as the new building ready for operation.

    As an integrated construction and real estate service provider, Implenia will provide a large proportion of the services itself across all divisions: The foundation engineering division is responsible for the excavation pit. For the shell construction, specialist knowledge from the civil engineering division will be called upon. BCL Building Construction Logistics, a member of the Implenia Group, is responsible for the smooth, safe and sustainable organisation of the construction site. The Façade Technology division is contributing its expertise to the construction of the building envelope made of dark grey corrugated fibre panels, prefabricated concrete elements and aluminium window elements with external venetian blinds.

    Digitalisation and tools to increase efficiency
    A BIM model was set up for the new building, on which all planners are working. This means that the planning status is transparent at all times and can be flexibly adapted. The BIM model is also used in the execution, for example to coordinate the various trades. In addition, it is planned to use the model for construction process simulations, for quantity takeoff and for tendering the finishing trades. Lean construction methods and tools are used to optimise construction processes, to control material flows and to precisely coordinate the trades. This enables a continuous and even construction process.

    High sustainability requirements
    Sustainable new construction and operation are important to both the client and Implenia. Accordingly, the building is being constructed in accordance with the Building Energy Act (GEG § 10), all materials comply with the “low-pollutant construction” requirements catalogue (QN 3) of the Bavarian State Construction Directorate, and the technical systems are designed for sustainable and environmentally friendly operation.

    Besenrainstrasse and Katzenbachstrasse Zurich – sustainable replacement housing
    In Switzerland, Implenia was commissioned by client Swiss Life Asset Management AG as general contractor for the replacement housing “Besenrainstrasse/Morgentalstrasse” in Zurich Wollishofen. This is a project with 36 rental flats and 22 underground parking spaces, which will be built using the solid construction method. Construction work started in March with a pollutant clean-up, and handover is scheduled for the end of November 2024. SNBS Platinum certification is being sought for the new building.

    Implenia was also awarded a contract by the SBB pension fund for a replacement building on Katzenbachstrasse in Zurich-Seebach. Implenia will also be the general contractor for this project. The new building will have 30 high-quality rental flats with a ventilated wooden façade on three floors and 18 underground parking spaces. Construction work has already started in February with a pollutant clean-up carried out by the master builder’s division. Completion is scheduled for February 2025. The flats will be built to the Minergie ECO standard.

    Through these two contracts, Implenia is further contributing to the sustainable renewal of Switzerland’s real estate stock with its comprehensive expertise. The total value of both contracts is over CHF 30 million.

    The three rehearsal stages for the houses of the Bavarian State Theatre and the workshops will go into operation at the end of 2026 (Image: © Dömges Architekten AG, Regensburg).
    New replacement residential quarter Katzenbach with 30 flats in Zurich-Seebach (Image: © Think Architecture AG).

    Media contact:
    Corporate Communications, T +41 58 474 74 77, communication@implenia.com

    Investor and analyst contact:
    Investor Relations, T +41 58 474 35 04, ir@implenia.com

    Investor agenda:
    16 August 2023: Half-year results 2023, analyst and media conference

  • Federal Council requests 218.1 million for civil federal buildings

    Federal Council requests 218.1 million for civil federal buildings

    The largest single construction project in the Real Estate Message 2023 is the renovation and expansion of the Reckenholz greenhouse site (ZH). cHF 29.5 million have been budgeted for this. cHF 21.1 million are requested for the extension of the connecting level at the Liebefeld administrative centre (Köniz, BE). In addition, a new building is to be constructed in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé for the office and residence of the Swiss representation. The commitment credit for this amounts to CHF 27.5 million.

    Renovation and expansion of the Reckenholz greenhouse site
    Reckenholz is one of Agroscope’s two regional research centres. The external greenhouses there, as well as the building services in the operations building, have reached the end of their life cycle. The greenhouses will be replaced by energy-efficient and flexibly usable air-conditioned research chambers. The building services in the operations building will be renovated and adapted to the new requirements.

    Extension of the connecting level at the Liebefeld Administrative Centre
    The South Campus in Liebefeld is divided into several administrative and laboratory buildings for the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). in 2025, the Competence Centre for Agricultural Research (Agroscope), which is part of the FOAG, will move to Posieux. This will enable further development of the campus from 2026 onwards. In preparation for this, and in order to introduce mobile-flexible forms of work, the underground connection level is to be extended. This will improve the spatial and technical connections between existing buildings and any new buildings that may be added as part of the further development, as well as integrating them into the access and security concept.

    Construction of the new office and residence in Yaoundé
    The Swiss representation in Cameroon is currently housed in rented buildings. A flexible and functional embassy infrastructure is now to be built on a federally owned plot of land. The new building will simplify the functional processes between the chancellery, the residence and an official residence, which will now be located at the same site. This enables synergies in the security concept as well as the technical infrastructures and allows multifunctional use of the representative premises, for example.

    Further real estate projects 2023
    The Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FBL) will use a further commitment credit of 140 million for projects not individually specified below an amount of 10 million Swiss francs, for property purchases that cannot be planned or are urgent, and for the planning of future real estate embassy projects.

  • Image of the future Upper Valais “We grow together”

    Image of the future Upper Valais “We grow together”

    The Upper Valais has been experiencing strong economic growth for several years and with it exceptional immigration. People from 119 nations live in the region today. In 2021 alone, more than 6500 people moved to Upper Valais. The region’s development is additionally influenced by global trends such as the increasing tendency towards urbanisation, new family and life models as well as a transformation of the working world through digitalisation. “In such a phase of change, it is helpful to have a common vision that everyone can orientate themselves by,” says Reinhard Imboden, President of the Upper Valais Region Association. “To ensure that such a vision of the future actually meets the needs of the population and is supported by them, everyone was invited to share their concerns and wishes, but also their priorities. Two broad-based population surveys and a carefully compiled impulse group led to the Upper Valais vision of the future that we have today.”

    Vision for the future
    Throughout the process, the fields of action for Upper Valais became clearer. On the one hand, there were the already strongly felt challenges that many other regions in Switzerland are currently facing: The population is concerned about ensuring basic medical care and coping with the shortage of skilled workers. With regard to the future of education, the population is focusing on digital and language skills and practical teaching. In the area of mobility, the public transport network and non-motorised traffic routes are to be expanded. The people of Upper Valais also see an urgent need for action in dealing with climate change. “The Valais has a high availability of renewable energy sources. The circular economy used to be the rule rather than the exception in our region. We thus have two strong levers for a more ecologically sustainable development of our region. This is something that the population wants to put to good use,” explains Tamar Hosennen, Managing Director of the RWO. The people of Upper Valais also identified the positive development of the mountain villages as an important field of action.

    The vision of the future is made available to all interested actors from politics, business and society as orientation and inspiration for their own strategy processes

  • Hammerwald Sursee: Neuer Gewerbe- und Bürokomplex

    Hammerwald Sursee: Neuer Gewerbe- und Bürokomplex

    An der Allmendstrasse in Sursee erfolgt in wenigen Monaten der Spatenstich für das Gewerbeprojekt Hammerwald. Geplant sind zwei Gebäudekomplexe sowie ein dreigeschossiges Parkdeck mit 450 Autoabstell- sowie Veloparkplätzen. Der Neubau soll Platz für rund 600 Arbeitsplätze bieten. Die Flächen im Gebäude A1 werden vermietet, während diejenigen im Gebäude A2 zum Verkauf stehen. Die insgesamt 27’000 Quadratmeter umfassenden Flächen werden für eine flexible Nutzung konzipiert. Bis 2025/26 soll der Komplex fertiggestellt sein.

    Das Gebäude A1 erhält sieben Geschosse, deren Mietflächen sowohl vertikal als auch horizontal erschlossen werden können. Die Flächen im sechsgeschossigen Gebäude A2 werden im Stockwerkeigentum veräussert. Die Stadt Sursee ist in den letzten Jahren stark gewachsen – dadurch fehlt vielen lokalen Gewerblern der Platz, um sich weiterentwickeln zu können. Dieser Umstand war Paul Fuchs, Inhaber der Hoch- und Tiefbau AG, bewusst, weshalb er gemeinsam mit Alex und Jörg Lütolf von der Sustra AG sowie Urs Meyer und Christoph Geiser von der Cerutti Partner Architekten AG die Hammerwald AG gründete. Das Ziel: Ein umfassendes Gewerbegebäude für Sursee zu erschaffen. Die Inhaber sind sich einig: «Der Hammerwald soll für das lokale Gewerbe ein flexibles Flächenangebot zu attraktiven Konditionen bieten», so Paul Fuchs.

    Unter der architektonischen Leitung von Urs Meyer, Cerutti Partner AG, wird das Gebäude A1 mit Gewerbe-, Ausstellungs- und Büroflächen bestückt. Das Gebäude A2 erhält höhere Räume und wird für grössere Nutzlasten mit einem integrierten Autolift für Lieferwagen gebaut. Die im A2 entstehenden Einheiten sind speziell auf Handwerksbetriebe ausgelegt. Das Parkdeck ist für Lastwagen befahrbar und ermöglicht die ebenerdige Anlieferung in der Ebene 1. Dank Treppenhauskernen und Steigzonen sind flexible Unterteilungen der Flächen sowie vertikale Verbindungen über mehrere Ebenen möglich. Neben den Handwerksbetrieben soll der Hammerwald die unterschiedlichsten Unternehmen und Branchen ansprechen.

    Der Gebäudekomplex punktet mit seiner Nähe zum Autobahnzubringer sowie zum Bahnhof Sursee. Das Naherholungsgebiet Surseerwald liegt direkt angrenzend. Das nachhaltige Energiekonzept sieht die Energieerzeugung mittels Grundwassernutzung über Energiepfähle vor.

  • New business card for Sursee

    New business card for Sursee

    Möbel Ulrich AG and Truvag AG, which have been based in Sursee for around 60 years, are jointly planning an office, commercial and residential building on the Ulrich site between Ringstrasse and Pilatusstrasse, which will complement and revitalise the existing furniture store. The project, called ALEA, is intended to become the new calling card for the location: The plan is to build 70 affordable rental flats with between 2.5 and 4.5 rooms using timber construction. In addition, there will be 2400 square metres of commercial and 1600 square metres of retail and restaurant space. The project scores not least with its central location directly at the railway station.

    The approximately 49-metre-high CO2-neutral timber construction was developed by the planning consortium Leuenberger Architekten AG from Sursee and Deon AG from Lucerne. The flats will have visible wooden beams and partly also wooden walls. The environmentally friendly material is breathable, insulating, very stable and load-bearing. In ancient Greek, ALEA means “warmth and protection” – these features should be visible and tangible for the future residents and employees. For fire protection reasons, only the façade design had to do without domestic and sustainable wood.

    But ALEA also does justice to its Latin meaning with its cube shape. The lower part of the building comprises three storeys – this is integrated into the slope. The silhouette is thus visible at a height of around 41 metres. While the upper part of the building is intended for residential use, the base area is available for offices, shops, commerce and gastronomy. A walkway creates a safe and fast pedestrian connection between the Kotten quarter and the railway station. All squares and connections in the new building are open to the public.

    The carefully thought-out traffic concept is intended to keep motorised individual traffic to a minimum: to this end, sharing services for cars, bicycles and e-scooters are planned. Accordingly, the parking garage will be equipped with a minimum number of parking spaces. The rental price structure is also intended to offer incentives for a life without a car. Generous parking spaces for bicycles have been designed to encourage non-motorised traffic.

    ALEA combines living and working.

    So that the tenants do not live anonymously, togetherness and mixing are to be promoted: A public square with a restaurant on the same level as the railway station creates meeting opportunities with various seating options around the building. The residents also have access to a green roof terrace for common use. Furthermore, several green terraces are planned.

    It is important to the initiators, who have strong regional roots, that “Surse residents build for Surse residents”:

    Not only were the partners chosen to carry out the construction work based on regional roots, but preference was also given to people who live or work in Sursee when renting out the apartments. In addition, Truvag AG, with around 80 employees, will relocate its headquarters to the new building. With the building planned by Möbel Ulrich AG and Truvag AG, the two traditional companies want to create added value for Sursee and enrich the area. The construction costs are expected to be in the double-digit millions.

  • Change on the Wellisareal

    Change on the Wellisareal

    The Wellisareal is located at the northern entrance to Willisau, next to the historic town centre, directly on the main traffic axis and near the railway station. It covers an area of 30,000 square metres.

    in 1927, Orgelbau AG, a company specialising in the manufacture of church organs, settled in the then still largely undeveloped “Grundmatt” at the gates of the old town of Willisau. With the founding of Wellis AG in 1931 as a subsidiary of the organ factory, the eventful history of furniture production took its course. Wellis AG specialised in designer furniture and was internationally known under the label “Team by Wellis”.

    As the company grew, the factory site developed into its current size by the 1980s. Furniture companies are still based on the site today.

    The northern part of the Wellis site belongs to Foroom Immobilien AG. It has concluded a long-term purchase agreement with GKA Immobilien AG. The southern part is owned by the Tolusso family. This is also where the stone industry Tolusso AG is located. Together, the owners want to develop the area into a residential and commercial quarter in the coming years. Due to the central and convenient location as well as the size of the site, the development and future use of the area is of high public interest.

    Three renowned planning teams from Lucerne, Zurich and Basel were consulted for the test planning. The concept of the Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron was the most convincing. It envisages transforming the area into an “open, lively living and working space”. The site is to be further developed in individual stages, building on existing structures and thus growing organically and in line with demand. Individual industrial buildings are to be preserved.

    The project by Herzog & de Meuron was further developed and should pave the way for the partial zoning change and the development plan that would be necessary for a transformation of the site. After the planning and a public circulation, the voters are to decide on the partial zoning change in autumn 2024. If everything goes according to plan, the earliest possible start of construction is 2025.

  • Pistor expands its headquarters

    Pistor expands its headquarters

    Pistor AG has been headquartered in Hasenmoosstrasse – near Rothenburg Station – for over 40 years. The company offers over 25,000 products as well as innovative services: “As a wholesaler and service provider, we have been supplying not only bakeries and confectioners for some time, but also catering and healthcare businesses such as hospitals and retirement homes. We want to supply the latter increasingly with medical consumables,” explains Pistor CEO Patrick Lobsiger. He emphasises that the company is basically on a growth course, which is why more space is needed.

    The planned 32,000 square metres of space will mainly be used for warehousing, goods handling and distribution. In addition, there will be parking spaces for cars, lorries and bicycles, as well as new office space. These are to be realised on the meadow between the headquarters and the ACE Café. Since the site is located in the agricultural zone, rezoning is a prerequisite. This fulfils the requirements of the Lucerne Plus partial guideline plan for settlement management 2030. The Rothenburg electorate approved this project on 12 March 2023. The cantonal government of Lucerne still has to formally confirm the voters’ decision in an approval procedure. Lobsiger is pleased about the trust of the people of Rothenburg: “With the expanded infrastructure and our highly automated logistics solutions, we want to offer our cooperative members and customers the most efficient and reliable supply chain on the market,” says Lobsiger.

    The new building is to be constructed in three stages starting in 2026 using a CO2-reducing construction method. Around two years are planned for each stage. None of the buildings will exceed 30 metres in height. An ecological upgrading of the new buildings by greening the surroundings is planned. The flat roofs will also be greened and equipped with seepage-capable surfacing and photovoltaic systems. The double-digit million euro amount budgeted for the expansion of the headquarters is also to include the acquisition of additional E-LKWS. By the end of 2023 alone, Pistor AG wants to expand its fleet from the current three to a new eleven e-trucks.

    The company, which currently employs around 616 people, is considered an important employer in Rothenburg. The expansion could create more jobs for central Switzerland.

  • Kriens: Old brickworks to shine in new splendour

    Kriens: Old brickworks to shine in new splendour

    The Old Brickworks below Bellpark in Kriens is well-known in the city. It was built during the economic boom at the end of the 19th century. Between 1889 and 1899, Lucerne expanded its housing stock by 25 percent, and the demand for fired bricks was high. However, insufficient clay deposits and unsteady management led the brickyard into bankruptcy in 1900.

    After several changes of ownership, the building was converted into a residential house in the 1920s. Since then, it has undergone several structural changes and has grown historically as a result. In the meantime, it has been included in the list of buildings worthy of protection in the Canton of Lucerne. Until recently, young families, creative people, craftswomen and artists lived and worked in the Old Brickworks.

    The building is in great need of renovation. As the landowner, Schmid Immobilien AG decided to redevelop the Alte Zieglei and develop a building project in an accompanied process.

    The Alte Ziegelei is well-known in the city and has been in Kriens for over 100 years.

    An expert committee consisting of representatives of the client, the preservation of historical monuments and the city of Kriens as well as external architects and engineers evaluated the project designs of four invited architectural teams. The projects were to fulfil the reference to the history of the Old Brickworks, implement the interests of the preservation of historical monuments and take into account the economic interests of the owner. The winning project was designed by Seiler Linhart Architekten from Lucerne.

    It envisages the removal of the historically grown three-sided extensions to the building and the reconstruction of the Old Brickworks to its core. The historic façades are to be renovated and the central element of the naturally lit inner courtyard restored. On the east and west sides, the residential building is to be supplemented with an arcade construction. A total of 18 flats are planned, distributed over the three upper floors, and four studios on the ground floor. Even after the renovation, the focus will be on communal living under one roof in the Old Brickworks.

    Construction work will start in spring 2023 and should last until the end of 2024. The investment amounts to around eleven million Swiss francs.

  • Municipality of Hochdorf buys and develops Südi site

    Municipality of Hochdorf buys and develops Südi site

    At the end of August 2021, the management of the Hochdorf Group, known in the region as “Südi”, informed that it wanted to sell its 86,000 square metre site in Hochdorf. Shortly afterwards, the Hochdorf municipal council decided to participate in the bidding process.

    The acquisition of the site by the municipality for over 60 million Swiss francs required, among other things, the approval of the Hochdorf electorate. With 87.6 percent of the votes in favour, the project met with great support.

    Since the beginning of 2022, the municipality of Hochdorf has owned the land, which previously belonged to the Hochdorf Group and its pension fund. The Hochdorf Group has leased the site back until the end of 2025, with the option to extend it by one year. The municipality would like to use this time to plan the development of the site.

    Since the beginning of 2022, the municipality of Hochdorf has been the owner of the land, which previously belonged to the Hochdorf Group (red) and its pension fund (green).
    .

    The people of Hochdorf are to play a decisive role in this. The project began with a three-stage participation process. In a first step, qualitative focus discussions were held with interested parties until mid-September 2022. In a second step, the input from these discussions was discussed at a public participation event at the end of September 2022. In a third step, at the end of October 2022, the population was given the opportunity to evaluate and weight the inputs from the first two steps in an online survey and to further sharpen the emerging idea.

    Thanks to the many responses, those responsible gained a clear picture of the ideas of the people of Hochdorf. A large majority wants a central meeting place with inviting squares and paths. A broad housing mix and attractive office and commercial space are important to them. Ecological measures should also be a central factor in further planning.

    The findings and the vision derived from them were summarised in a report and presented to the population at the end of February 2023. They form the basis for the test planning due in summer 2023, where topics such as urban development, traffic planning or building density will be examined for the first time.

    The municipality would like to complete the utilisation planning, including the revision of the zoning plan, for part of the site by the end of the leaseback contract at the end of 2025 or 2026.

  • Reussperle Buchrain: New prestigious commercial buildings under construction

    Reussperle Buchrain: New prestigious commercial buildings under construction

    Directly on the Reuss canal in Buchrain, a lively new quarter with eight apartment buildings has been created in several stages over the past few years. A car-free inner courtyard, various green zones and shopping facilities in the vicinity create recreational and meeting spaces in the Reuss pearl Buchrain.

    Now Alfred Müller AG is also building two modern commercial buildings there. They will be built directly on the main access road to Buchrain and will create an arrival zone for visitors to the Reussperle Buchrain.

    The two buildings of the Reussperle comprise a total of around 6600 square metres of commercial and office space on three and four floors respectively. The special thing about it is that these spaces are offered in condominium ownership. “Buy instead of rent” is the motto here.

    The Reussperle commercial buildings have a striking, contemporary architecture with a high identification character. The flexible space on offer is suitable for owner-managed or owner-operated companies from a wide range of sectors and of different sizes. The four walls can be divided up and developed according to individual wishes. On the outside, the buildings have a striking, space-creating architecture with a high identification character. This includes the noble, sustainable façade in black glass, framed with anodised aluminium strips, as well as the high-quality wood-aluminium windows. The photovoltaic system on the roof supplies renewable electricity from the building’s own production.

    The commercial buildings are optimally accessible by both private and public transport. The A14 motorway junction is only a few minutes’ drive away. The Reussbrücke bus stop, with connections to Ebikon and Lucerne railway stations every half hour, is right on the doorstep. Various shopping and catering facilities in the vicinity as well as the nearby Reuss canal as a recreational area contribute to the high attractiveness of the location. Construction of the two Reussperle commercial buildings will start in September 2022, and occupation of the fully developed area is planned from August 2024.

  • New hub for the energy industry at the Museum of Transport Lucerne

    New hub for the energy industry at the Museum of Transport Lucerne

    The “House of Energy” at the Museum of Transport Lucerne is a new, long-term platform on the subject of energy. Not only transport and mobility are connected with energy – energy is needed for every form of locomotion. But it also plays a key role in the burning issue of climate change: transport alone accounts for more than a third of CO2 emissions in Switzerland.

    Many people still do not understand the complex interrelationships. The Swiss Museum of Transport wants to change this with its new exhibition. On an area of 600 square metres, the interrelationships and their effects on society are to be shown: How do housing and mobility interact? What might innovative solutions and Switzerland’s energy future look like in 2050? Visitors will be able to view exhibits and interactive attractions that illustrate and bring to life the past, present and future of energy. In addition, various conferences and events on the topic of energy are planned from 2023.

    The purpose-built building by Gigon Guyer Architekten from Zurich, which replaces the former “Schienenverkehr 1” hall, was designed with the latest generation of energy technology equipment: Minergie P is the standard, the energy centre runs on water, and photovoltaic systems have been installed on the roof and the façade. Thanks to this energy centre, the entire Swiss Museum of Transport will be able to run largely on renewable energy in the future. In realising the project, the Swiss Museum of Transport worked together with partners from politics, administration, science and business. The “House of Energy” is intended to serve as an educational venue for schools and universities as well as an experimental laboratory and innovation location for initiating and accompanying activities and projects in the context of sustainable mobility.

    The Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, with its strong visitor numbers of 500,000 to 600,000 people per year at the museum, sees itself as a partner in the transformation process towards the targeted net-zero climate neutrality in 2050. The new energy platform is intended to promote interest in and discussion of the topics of energy and mobility with a focus on Switzerland. The goals include imparting knowledge, creating a strong connection to the everyday lives of visitors, and transparently presenting the challenges along with possible solutions and communication in relation to schools and the professional world. The interactive exhibition will open in April 2023. The new building, which does not include the energy centre and tenant improvements, cost around 37.8 million Swiss francs.

  • Everything will be new on the Rösslimatt site by 2040

    Everything will be new on the Rösslimatt site by 2040

    The Rösslimatt site in the middle of Lucerne borders railway tracks on both sides. It is to be completely redesigned by 2040.

    The area is divided into different construction sites and will be realised in three stages. In the first stage between 2018 and 2025, construction sites A to C will be developed and Güterstrasse 7 will be gently redeveloped. In the second stage, from 2025 to 2040, an interim use is planned for the exposed areas. In the third stage and after the realisation of the Lucerne through station from around 2040, the development of new uses with a focus on housing is planned on construction sites D to F. The development of a new residential building is planned on construction site A.

    A 180-metre-long, sustainable building designed by architect Rolf Mühlethaler is being built on construction site A. It will be realised on the site of an old goods shed that was demolished in 2020. The façade of the new building is characterised by surrounding verandas as well as a two-storey arcade on the side of the new Walter-von-Moos-Promenade with a weather-protected wood and glass façade made of local wood.

    The new building has around 21,600 square metres of lettable space. At the end of 2019, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts was secured as the main tenant. It intends to start its university operations on around 16,000 square metres from the autumn semester of 2025. The ground floor will be characterised by public-oriented uses such as a cafeteria, a café, meeting zones and a large lecture hall. In particular, the track loggia, a striking two-storey opening in the long building, and the newly designed Bürgenplatz, together with the planned catering uses, will form new urban meeting places.

    A mixed-use building is to be constructed on construction sites B and C. After the architectural competition concluded in February 2020, the winning project by the consortium Demuth Hagenmüller Lamprecht Architekten with Alessandra Villa Architektur was recommended for further work by the monitoring committee and is currently under construction.

    In September 2020, the pharmaceutical company MSD committed itself to the Lucerne site. It will move into around 15,000 square metres of office space on construction sites B and C. Site preparation began in the second quarter of 2021, and occupation is planned for 2025.

    Both new buildings have space that has not yet been let.

    The building at Güterstrasse 7 was erected in 1905 and is listed as an object worthy of preservation in the building inventory of the city of Lucerne. This building with its historic façade design is a 7-storey masonry structure consisting of a basement, five upper floors and an attic. It includes commercial and residential space. The building was refurbished in 2020 and the space occupied in 2021. The gentle refurbishment made it possible to make the flats available again at moderate rents.

    The Rösslimatt site is being developed in a sustainable, demand-oriented and high-quality manner. The connection of the site to the district heating and cooling network of Energie Wasser Luzern guarantees 100 percent sustainable generation of heat and cooling. The central location allows optimal use of the existing public transport services as well as several offers for car and bike sharing.

    In addition to the criteria of the 2000-watt society, the goals of the Swiss Society for Sustainable Real Estate at the silver level are met. In September 2019, the Rösslimatt was awarded for its demonstrable and exemplary results according to the 2000-watt site criteria in the development phase and recertified in 2021.

  • Total renovation and new construction in record time

    Total renovation and new construction in record time

    The Hagenmatt housing estate in Root, with around 160 flats, is a good example of successful total renovation and redensification: the estate, built in the 1970s, offered ideal conditions for this project. For the implementation, Die Liegenschaftsverwalter AG, representing the owner Schürch Immobilien AG, engaged PP Baumanagement AG from Kriens for the overall project management, cost planning and construction management. In addition, six new buildings with a total of fourteen terraced detached houses and fourteen 2.5-room flats in timber construction were realised by Strüby Konzept AG from Seewen SZ on behalf of the owner.

    In addition to a more attractive design of the flats, the renovation also aimed at optimising the building’s appearance, redesigning the outdoor spaces and optimising energy efficiency. The latter was achieved thanks to technical measures such as triple-glazed windows and a connection to the EWL district heating system, as well as switching off the oil-fired heating system. For more living comfort, underfloor heating was installed in the existing property, the balconies were extended, the kitchens were equipped with new appliances and the wet rooms were renovated.

    The newly built single-family and multi-family houses are all two-storey and blend in harmoniously with the previously underutilised areas. They feature Minergie-compliant building envelopes, green flat roofs, generously designed roof terraces, and large windows that ensure that the houses are flooded with light. The total renovation of the Hagenmatt development and the construction of the six new buildings was completed in stages within eight months.

    The fast construction time – especially for the new buildings – is due to the chosen timber construction: The components are delivered to the construction site prefabricated, so that assembly can begin directly on site. The Strüby companies purchase around 20,000 cubic metres of wood per year directly from Swiss forest owners. The wood is sawn and glued in the respective region before it is processed further. Thanks to these short distances, grey energy is significantly reduced.

    In addition to the short construction time, the owner of Die Liegenschaftsverwalter AG, Andreas Gasser, is proud that the project’s total cost budget of 42 million Swiss francs could even be undercut. Moreover, the quality of living for the tenants, who were not yet affected by the conversion in the first stage, was not restricted at any time. Gasser emphasises that by cleverly increasing the density by adding storeys, extensions or supplementary buildings, it was possible to create more living space on existing areas and at the same time curb land wastage.

  • The transformation of the Papieri site

    The transformation of the Papieri site

    The Papieri site in Biberist, Solothurn, can look back on a long industrial history: Its existence began in 1862 as the site of the “Papieri” paper mill. After almost 150 years, the factory ceased operations in 2011, most recently owned by the international paper group SAPPI. Subsequently, HIAG from Zurich acquired the 60,000 square metre site – with the aim of creating a lively and diverse quarter.

    However, the industrial spirit that is strongly anchored here is not to be lost: The “Papieri” is to continue to be used for commercial and industrial purposes. The location and general conditions of the area are still ideally suited for this. The site can be reached in a few steps from Biberist Ost railway station. In addition, it is served by the bus stops Biberist Emmenbrücke and Biberist Derendingenstrasse (BSU). Attractive pedestrian and bicycle connections are also planned for the medium term.
    HIAG has worked out a sustainable development strategy in close consultation with the canton, municipalities and other stakeholders. As early as 2013, an urban planning study was carried out in collaboration with five architectural firms. The findings of this study commission formed the basis for the master plan, which was completed in 2015 in consultation with the municipality of Biberist. The partial zone plan revision is currently underway. This is currently undergoing a cantonal preliminary examination.

    The long-term planning envisages a division of the site into two parts: The “West” area near the Biberist East railway station comprises about one third of the total area and is to become an area open to the public with quiet commerce, services, leisure, culture and housing. No concrete residential projects are planned yet. But: “The future usage regulations allow for a residential share in the western area,” says Dominik Ulrich, project developer of HIAG Immobilien Schweiz AG. The eastern area towards Derendingen, on the other hand, will be transformed into a workplace area for the manufacturing industry.

    nightnurse.ch

    Access to the publicly accessible western area of the site is already from the southwest. In future, the triangular Papier-Platz will mark the beginning of the site. The square is enclosed by the striking existing building at Fabrikstrasse 1, which will be made fit for the planned transitional uses by mid-2023: On the ground floor, spaces between 160 and 1000 square metres will be rented to commercial and service providers. The rooms on the upper floors are ideally suited for commercial and storage space as well as studios. Offices are also available in the neighbouring building. “The transitional use of Building 1 is planned for up to ten years. The goal is to establish uses that will last in the long term,” explains Ulrich. The dismantling of the machinery was a prerequisite for opening up the area. The machines were successfully sold in recent years and transferred to new owners.

    The centre of the area, and thus the centre, is the square by the canal: Demolition work is currently underway here to create open spaces and breakthroughs in the hall structures. So far, 17,000 tonnes of material have already been removed. HIAG attaches great importance to sustainability: 14,000 tonnes of it will be processed into granulate on site and reused. The deconstruction work is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. From mid-2023, the construction of a new modern building is planned, which will offer around 15,000 square metres of usable space for trade, production and offices. The first tenants are expected to move in by the end of 2024. According to Ulrich, concrete negotiations are currently underway with prospective tenants.

    Demolition work is currently underway in the middle of the site.
  • Basel: Visionary building planning on the Dreispitz North site

    Basel: Visionary building planning on the Dreispitz North site

    The planning of Basel’s new Dreispitz Nord district in the “Gundeli” neighbourhood was penned by Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron. It fills the area with new life, the parking area disappears. On an area of about eight football pitches, space is created for a diverse further development of the neighbourhood.

    The direct access from Gundeldingen to Dreispitz Nord is an eye-catcher: via a wide, green ramp, a footpath leads to the roof of the new MParc shopping centre, where there is a unique view over the roofs of Basel.

    The new secondary school for about 600 pupils is also located on the roof of the shopping centre. There are sports fields, a triple gymnasium, green and open spaces and a youth club.

    The new public parks, the size of two football pitches, offer space for play and recreation with their large, shady trees. Pedestrians and cyclists have priority here, and the public space is to be car-free.

    800 flats are being built in Dreispitz Nord. In the far north, seven townhouses are planned with affordable or non-profit housing. In addition to attractive flats, the three round high-rises will also offer space for offices and other uses such as a library or a fitness centre.

    A secondary school for 600 pupils will be built on the roof of the MParc shopping centre.

    The area is already well served by public transport and is only three tram stops away from the SBB railway station. The new footpaths and cycle paths, car-sharing facilities and around 4000 bicycle parking spaces are intended to promote low-car living. Those who still need a car will have a parking space in separate parking facilities and will not have to search for parking spaces in the adjacent neighbourhood streets. A maximum of 662 parking spaces are planned for the new living and working areas. Access to the parking facilities on the northern edge will help keep the new district and the Gundeldingen neighbourhood car-free.

    The district development wants to lead the way as a model example of sustainable spatial development: Instead of sealed car parks, new green and open spaces will be created. Due to the high level of use, the use of land is economical. Existing jobs are preserved and new ones are to be created. A balanced range of housing for all incomes allows for a mix of residents. As part of the construction work, the existing MParc building will be integrated into the new complex. The spacing in the development on the northern edge and the spaces between the high-rise buildings allow air to circulate and ensure good ventilation. The green and open spaces provide cooling through shade and evaporation, and water can seep back into the ground, thus improving the urban climate.
    In September 2020, those responsible for the project presented the Dreispitz North guideline project to the general public. This serves as the basis for the development plan, the environmental impact assessment and the urban development contract. In order to include the neighbourhood interests in the best possible way, the planning partners have maintained a dialogue with neighbourhood organisations since the start of the project.

    In the first quarter of 2023, the public plan submission of the development plan and the environmental impact report should be ready. The parliamentary decision is expected in 2024. As soon as the decision is legally binding, construction project planning for the first stage can begin. Concrete construction measures can be expected from 2027.

  • Lymhof: Versatile, lively district planned in Schlieren

    Lymhof: Versatile, lively district planned in Schlieren

    The Lymhof district at the Rietpark will be built near Schlieren railway station, where the Vitis sports centre stands today. The name recalls the past of the former factory site, where Geistlich glue and fertiliser were produced in the 20th century in the so-called “Lymi”. The area of the Lymhof itself was then used for farming.

    With its location near the Schlieren West railway station subway, which is extended under Wiesenstrasse, one can get from the railway station or from the centre of Schlieren beyond the tracks through Lymhof-Gasse directly into the neighbourhood at Rietpark. The Lymhof is to become a colourful, lively part of the neighbourhood, where commuters can grab a quick coffee and croissant on their way to the train in the morning and meet for an aperitif on the terrace in the evening.

    To ensure that this vision also works in reality, Geistlich Immobilia is developing the uses for the special buildings of the guesthouse and hall, as well as the ground floors, in collaboration with experts and in a participatory process – through discussions and exchanges with interested residents and potential future users.

    The project comprises around 350 flats for a diverse range of residents from students to senior citizens, a guesthouse with hotel rooms and a bistro, a hall building, small commercial spaces and studios where people can both live and work.

    The world’s first vertical farm is planned in the hall building, which will be integrated into a residential quarter. Site owner Geistlich Immobilia signed an agreement to this effect with the start-up company Yasai in October 2022. From 2026, herbs, lettuces and much more will be grown in the eight-metre-high hall in a resource-friendly and pesticide-free way and sold directly on site. The urban farming company already operates a pilot farm in Niederhasli.

    Sustainability characterises the project in its planning, construction and operation. Around 900 bicycle parking spaces, a car and e-bike sharing service and charging stations for electric vehicles are planned for the Lymhof. The buildings will be heated with geothermal energy, solar panels will produce electricity and green roofs and outdoor spaces will promote biodiversity. A large part of the buildings will be made of wood and environmentally friendly materials will be used for the interior fittings.

    A study commission was organised for the project planning. In summer 2020, the interdisciplinary jury, in which the city of Schlieren was also represented, decided in favour of the project by the Zurich firm Clou Architekten and the landscape architects from Atelier Oriri. “We were convinced by the diversity and playfulness of the project with its different building sections, which are connected to each other but still allow for independent characters in terms of design and uses,” explains Martin Geistlich, managing director of the landowner Geistlich Immobilia.

    The building sections of different heights are grouped around two large green inner courtyards. Their façades are clad with ceramic tiles in different colours and concrete elements. The exterior design creates diverse meeting places and landscaped areas with large trees and native plant species, which are intended to cool the courtyards and create habitats for small animals.

    The Lymhof is scheduled to be built from 2024 and ready for occupation from 2026.

    The building sections of different heights are grouped around two large green inner courtyards.
  • ETH Campus Hönggerberg continues to develop

    ETH Campus Hönggerberg continues to develop

    The core mission of ETH Zurich is teaching and research as well as the transfer of knowledge to the economy and society. A modern infrastructure is a key factor in this. In order to cope with the increasing number of students and researchers and to create the necessary space for new research areas and innovative teaching methods, ETH Zurich is working on the further development of its main locations Zurich Centre and Zurich Hönggerberg. With regard to future space requirements, the Hönggerberg campus plays a central role. As a basis for its further development, ETH Zurich, together with the City and Canton of Zurich, has drawn up the master plan “Campus Hönggerberg 2040”. It describes the long-term spatial development goal. The structural densification and further development of the campus should preserve the current conditions of the site, such as the sensitive embedding in the local recreation area as well as listed buildings and gardens, and only take place in accordance with the emerging demand. In the next few years, a new building for quantum physics, a computer centre and a centre for student and entrepreneurial initiatives will be built, among other things. The central Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse will also be renovated and upgraded as an important master plan element. Until the campus is fully developed, a conversion, new construction, extension or renovation of around a dozen buildings is planned, including four new high points. Various green areas are to be expanded. With the new master plan, ETH is building on the previous “Science City” master plan from 2005. ETH Zurich wants to develop its campus sustainably on various levels: ecologically, economically and socially. Among other things, it wants to take a big step towards climate neutrality and is focusing on energy supply without fossil fuels. A central element of this is the expansion of the current energy grid. Projects are also planned with regard to sustainable building, local climate, biodiversity as well as retention and drainage. For the further development of the campus, ETH Zurich is in dialogue with internal and external interest groups and involves selected people in a participatory manner on a selective basis.

    Attractive open spaces should ensure a high quality of stay and support biodiversity on the campus.

    In order to protect the surrounding landscape, the campus will be developed inwards and densified within the existing area. A green ring road around the campus symbolises this development and serves as a transition from the campus to the landscape. Attractive open spaces will ensure a high quality of stay and further promote biodiversity on the campus. The campus should be easily accessible by environmentally friendly means of transport such as public transport or bicycle. To relieve the local public transport system, a direct electrically powered bus, the so-called eLink, already runs between the Hönggerberg Campus and the Campus Zentrum for ETH members. Other local services such as bike sharing are available and are being continuously expanded. The current urban district character of the Campus is to be further strengthened. The central Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse will become a lively and green promenade with versatile ground floor uses for the public. The central “piazza” will also gain in importance in the future and will invite people to meet and exchange ideas.

  • Maaglive makes Zurich West even more attractive

    Maaglive makes Zurich West even more attractive

    Up to now, the Maag site has been characterised mainly by office use. The large-scale Maaglive project will give Zurich West a versatile and green centre with various uses by 2027. An ensemble of three buildings is planned: a residential tower with a roof garden and loggias, a four-storey cultural centre and the existing Building K, which will be renovated and converted.

    Building K will be protected as a historic monument – after all extensions have been removed. In the future, it will offer operational synergies with the neighbouring Kulturpavillon with a foyer, restaurant and bar as well as a market hall and book café. Wooden constructions provide for an attractive interior of the culture pavilion.
    The residential tower is characterised by flexible usage possibilities, with the residential area predominating. Office space and rooms for events complete the offer. A co-working space with café and wine bar will be incorporated into the two-storey base.

    The visualisation shows the town square near the tower.

    At the highest point of the tower – next to the green roof garden – residents will have access to a library and a communal kitchen. Public-oriented uses are planned for the ground floors. An area of around 6000 m2 is planned for the flats, 3000 m2 for the cultural and event area, and a further 3000 m2 for studios, co-working and gastronomy.

    The centre of the area is formed by the neighbourhood square, which is planted with up to 80 high-stemmed native trees and extends over 4000 m2 . The canopy of foliage thus created is intended to provide the square with the quality of stay that has been lacking up to now. Open spaces and additional green areas with seating as well as various play and rest areas will also provide more life on the site during the day. At the same time, this will optimise the microclimate and reduce the heat that accumulates in summer. The latter is a particular problem in the city centre. Maaglive also counters this with pavement structures that offer a certain degree of retention as well as heat reduction. The entire construction project focuses on circular building and the use of resource-efficient building materials.

    The historic Lichtstrasse and the Maschinenstrasse will be opened up to the public. In addition, new pedestrian and bicycle paths will be created. The project is the brainchild of the Berlin architectural firm Sauerbruch Hutton. Hager Landschaftsarchitekten is responsible for the landscape architecture. The owner of the site, Swiss Prime Site, has already submitted the building application. Realisation will begin in the 3rd quarter of 2024 at the earliest. If everything goes according to plan, Maaglive should be ready for occupation in the 3rd quarter of 2027.

    The cultural pavilion is intended to become a lively meeting place for art, the creative industries and the population.
  • Centurion Tower: Tight as an officer

    Centurion Tower: Tight as an officer

    With its clear volume, the new high-rise integrates itself as a matter of course into the urban structure of the new “Vision Mitte” quarter. It takes up the lines of the surrounding buildings and forms, so to speak, the last piece of the puzzle in the large cluster of buildings of the university of applied sciences and office and industrial buildings on this site. The building was not named after the number of flats, of course, but after the famous Roman excavation site in Windisch (Vindonissa).

    The right type of wall for every use
    The 16 condominiums are located on the top four floors of the tower, the 116 rental flats on the 3rd to 10th floors. On the lowest three floors, the Centurion Towerhotel with 66 flats and rooms meets the needs of many regional businesses as well as the neighbouring technical college. These different uses are reflected not least in the materialisation and design within the building. The tower was raised as a skeleton structure and completely finished with non-load-bearing gypsum drywall systems.

    The (almost) all-rounder
    Hydrophobised Rigips® Habito board plays a central role in the kitchens and wet rooms of the condominiums. It is probably one of the most versatile gypsum boards available and is suitable for residential, office and commercial construction, but also for hotels, hospitals and schools. During development, the focus was on an optimal room climate and easy processing. The revolutionary product was uncompromisingly optimised for these properties and equipped with the best performance data and a wide range of applications. The board is very robust, fire-resistant, sound-insulating, ecologically sustainable and efficient to work with.

    A lot of planning and conversion freedom
    As soon as a brick wall is replaced with the Rigips® Habito system, the advantages multiply. There is no need to measure and install load-reinforcing wall inserts, because force loads such as furniture, pictures or TV screens can be screwed on directly without dowels. For the same reason, there is no need to determine the wall inserts at an early stage, which increases planning freedom. Habito is therefore as stable as a Roman legionnaire or as a conventional solid wall. With all these strengths in terms of building physics and con-
    struction, thanks to planning with gypsum drywall systems, there remains sufficient flexibility for later conversions if the utilisation requirements of individual rooms or even floors should change.

    Gypsum drywall construction has also long been able to keep up at this level.

    ABOUT RIGIPS
    Rigips is a pioneer of dry construction in Europe and part of the Saint-Gobain Group, one of the most traditional and innovative industrial groups in the world. In Switzerland, Rigips AG is the leading producer and supplier of gypsum drywall systems and a reliable supporter in the planning and execution of sophisticated interior design solutions. Plasterboard systems from Rigips AG are developed to successfully and sustainably realise the goals of customers and partners.

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  • A new administration and security centre in hybrid design

    A new administration and security centre in hybrid design

    The Canton of Schwyz is planning to build its new administration and security centre on the Kaltbach site, which covers an area of about 40,000 square metres. This is located at the north-western end of the village between the roads to Sattel and Seewen.

    430 workplaces are planned. This means there is enough space for the cantonal administration, the operations centre of the Schwyz and Zug cantonal police, the main police station of the Schwyz cantonal police, fire brigade bases and rescue services. In addition, a production kitchen is planned from which all cantonal properties will be supplied in the future. The new building will make it possible to do away with expensive and unsuitable rental solutions and thus save costs of around CHF 1 million per year in the long term. In addition, external locations of the cantonal administration in the Schwyz valley can be bundled here, which will increase the efficiency of the individual work processes and realise a modern and high-quality working environment for the employees.

    In a single-stage open project competition, the structural engineering office of the canton of Schwyz looked for the best possible implementation for the new building, which will primarily serve as a replacement for the AHV building on Bahnhofstrasse in Schwyz, which has reached the end of its service life. The new administration and security centre should integrate well into the attractive landscape location and enter into dialogue with the existing buildings. The requirements were to meet the Minergie-A standard as well as optimal user-friendliness with fixed and flexible workplaces, the creation of meeting and retreat spaces as well as rooms for teamwork and concentrated work. Proposals in the sustainable timber construction method were expressly encouraged.

    The winning team was Sollberger Bögli Architekten AG from Biel and Klötzli Friedli Landschaftsarchitekten AG from Bern. Their project “Propeller” convinced the jury with a conceptually very clear and efficient organisation of the different units, an excellent urban integration. The building figure with four wings radiates into the landscape and comprises four outdoor areas: In the north-east is the entrance area for the administration and visitors, in the south-east the entrance area for the police, in the south-west the forecourt of the fire brigade and in the north-west that of the ambulance.

    The cross-shaped building is to be constructed using the hybrid construction method: A lightweight construction in wood is combined with steel, concrete as well as reinforced concrete composite structures. The ground floor and upper floor are designed as a skeleton structure in timber construction. The façade is to be greened and the roof equipped with a photovoltaic system. An atrium is planned for the interior of the building. Thanks to the large skylight, a five-storey atrium will be created.

    The compact building has good economic efficiency and is also convincing in terms of sustainability thanks to its differentiated construction. In the next step, the project will be revised with the planners in collaboration with the users and specialist planners. Subsequently, the cantonal council will be asked to approve the expenditure for realisation at the beginning of 2024. If everything goes according to plan, the new building could be ready for occupation at the end of 2027.

  • The retaining wall of the cathedral platform will be renovated

    The retaining wall of the cathedral platform will be renovated

    The construction of the first retaining walls near the present cathedral platform began as early as the 14th century. Between 1479 and 1531, the walls were extended and took on their present appearance. The last major renovation work took place in the late 1980s. Today, the thirty-metre-high retaining wall is damaged in various places due to the weather and therefore needs to be renovated. The renovation work will be carried out in several stages until 2026.

    Cleaning and mortar application
    At the beginning of February, the renovation work will begin with the erection of the scaffolding at the eastern corner of the retaining wall. The work on the masonry will be of varying degrees of depth: Some larger areas of the wall will simply need to be cleaned and cleared of vegetation. On other parts of the wall, it will be necessary to apply mortar or fill in cracks and joints. The original structure is retained as far as possible. As part of the renovation, Energie Wasser Bern (ewb) is replacing the existing lighting on the wall with more economical LED spotlights. All the renovation work was planned in cooperation with the monument preservation service.

    The platformremains open
    The platform remains open during the renovation work. The respective work areas will be closed to the public with barriers. In the Badgasse, which is located at the foot of the wall, some of the parking spaces must be temporarily removed to allow for the installation of scaffolding and construction equipment. Replacement parking spaces will be provided. However, due to the narrowness of the space in the Matte, only part of the parking spaces can be replaced.

    Preservation of a historical monument
    The renovation of the retaining walls will preserve the cathedral platform as a historical monument in Bern’s old town and ensure safety. In March 2022, the City Council approved a construction credit of CHF 3.32 million for the renovation.

  • Ziegler-Areal auf dem Weg zum Wohnquartier

    Ziegler-Areal auf dem Weg zum Wohnquartier

    Das Ziegler-Areal soll gemäss heutiger Planung zu einem vielfältigen Quartier mit Schwerpunkt Wohnen entwickelt werden. Seit der Spitalbetrieb auf dem Areal im Jahr 2015 eingestellt wurde, sorgt die Stadt Bern als Grundeigentümerin mit verschiedenen Zwischennutzverträgen für Leben und Vielfalt auf dem Gelände. Insgesamt steht heute eine Nutzfläche von rund 23’000 Quadratmeter zur Verfügung.

    So betreibt die Firma ORS Service AG im Auftrag des Staatssekretariats für Migration (SEM) das einstige Bettenhochhaus als Empfangs- und Verfahrenszentrum. Der Kanton Bern zeichnet als Mieter der Räumlichkeiten des Renferhauses verantwortlich und stellt diese der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Bern zur Verfügung. Büroräumlichkeiten und eine Wohnung sind im Haus Bellevue untergebracht. Zur Wohnnutzung dient auch das Personalhaus 2 sowie das Wohnhaus Kirchbühl.

    Der Verein Boulissima betreibt im Personalhaus Ost/West eine IndoorBoule-Anlage, während der Verein Ziegler-Freiwillige im Personalrestaurant ein Begegnungszentrum für Quartierbewohnende und Asylsuchende geschaffen hat. Ansonsten wird das Gebäude vom Hostel77, der Geschäftsstelle des Vereins «Helvetiarockt», als Studentenwohnheim und von der Quartierküche Ziegler genutzt. Hierbei handelt es sich um die erste Quartierküche der Stadt Bern, die seit dem Beginn des Schuljahres 2019/20 insgesamt 19 Tagesschulen und Kitas mit Mahlzeiten versorgt.

    Das Leitbild für die Entwicklung des Ziegler-Areals wurde in Partizipation mit den verschiedenen Anspruchsgruppen erarbeitet. Auf Grundlage dieses Leitbilds wird eine Areal- und Nutzungsstrategie entwickelt. Diese soll den zuständigen politischen Gremien Anfang 2023 zur Beschlussfassung vorgelegt werden. Die Volksabstimmung zur Planungsvorlage dürfte frühestens 2028 stattfinden.

    Das Areal grenzt direkt an die Gemeinde Köniz an. In unmittelbarer Umgebung liegen der Naherholungsraum Gurten und dessen Talstation. Das Gelände ist durch die Buslinien 19, 22 und 29 bereits heute gut erschlossen. Ein mögliches zukünftiges Wohnareal soll sich sorgfältig in sein Umfeld einfügen und dank vielfältigen Nutzungen – die sich mitunter aus den der-zeitigen Zwischennutzungen ergeben können – zu einem belebten Ort werden.

  • Papillon: Vielfältiger Wohnraum

    Papillon: Vielfältiger Wohnraum

    Wie ein Schmetterling entfaltet sich das neue Quartier «Papillon» bei Köniz. Der «letzte Flügelschlag» ist auf 2028 geplant. Bis dann finden hier rund 2000 Menschen einen neuen Lebensraum – inmitten von Wäldern und Wiesen. Die insgesamt acht Baufelder werden auf einer Gesamtfläche von
    324’000 m2 schrittweise entwickelt.

    Bereits bewohnt sind die rund 250 Wohnungen von «Aurora» und «Eisvogel». Die sechs hofartig angelegten Gebäude des «Monarch» umfassen 218 1,5- bis 4,5-Zimmer-Wohnungen. Diese sind im Herbst 2022 bezugsbereit. Den Auftakt zum östlichen Teil bildet ab 2025 der «Feuerfalter» mit 240 Wohnungen. Dieser erfüllt unter anderem mit Wärmedämmungen und Holzfassaden die Anforderungen an ein «Plusenergie-Quartier» und «2000-Watt-Areal». In den sechs Gebäuden von «Cleopatra» entstehen ab 2023 120 Miet- und STWE-Wohnungen mit nachhaltiger Bauweise. In den letzten drei Baufeldern «Apollo», «Heliconius» und «Pallidana» werden rund 300 weitere Wohneinheiten realisiert. Im ganzen Quartier wird nachhaltig und klimaneutral gebaut. Das Ziel: Mindestens 50 Prozent des Jahresenergiebedarfs vor Ort selbst zu produzieren. So werden beispielsweise Photovoltaik- und Wärmepumpen-Anlagen errichtet.

    Die insgesamt rund 1000 Miet- und Eigentumswohnungen eignen sich mit ihren Grössen von 40 bis 130 Quadratmetern für Singles, Paare und Familien. Dreimal pro Stunde hält ein Bus in der Papillonallee. Direkt vor der Haustür finden die Bewohnerinnen und Bewohner Einkaufsmöglichkeiten, eine Kita, Schule, Sportplatz sowie soziale und gemeinschaftliche Angebote. Eine Sozialplanerin ist eigens dafür da, den Gemeinschaftsgeist zu fördern. Von der Interessengemeinschaft «Eisvogel»
    werden regelmässig Quartierfeste, Bastelnachmittage, Schachturniere und
    andere gemeinschaftsfördernde Akti-vitäten veranstaltet. «Ruedü» bietet frische Bio-Lebensmittel von lokalen Produzenten im 18 Quadratmeter grossen Holzcontainer rund um die Uhr zur Selbstbedienung an. Der nahe Wald und die «Tubetränki» sowie die «Allmend» mit Grillplätzen und Fernsicht in den Jura sind zudem beliebte Destinationen für Erholungssuchende, Ausflügler, Sport- und Naturfreunde.

    Dieser Pavillon beherbergt die «IG Eisvogel».

    In absehbarer Zeit bildet der Weiler Ried als Quartierzentrum das Herzstück der Siedlung: Ein aus Leichtholz erbautes PRISMA-Gebäude wird neben einem Lebensmittelladen, Gewerbeflächen sowie Gastronomie auch Loftwohnungen beherbergen. Zusätzlich werden drei neue Mehrfamilienhäuser gebaut. Und in einem der ehemaligen Bauernhäuser ist ein Gemeinschaftsraum für die Quartierbewohner vorgesehen.

    Blick vom nahegelegenen Waldrand auf das Quartier.

  • Siegerprojekt für das Areal Kirschloh in Zug steht fest.

    Siegerprojekt für das Areal Kirschloh in Zug steht fest.

    Das rund 12 000 Quadratmeter grosse Areal Kirschloh liegt direkt beim Bahnhof Zug. Mit einer sorgfältigen Innenentwicklung soll das Potenzial der zentralen Lage zur Geltung gebracht und ein Mehrwert für die Stadt Zug geschaffen werden. So lautete die Zielsetzung des zweistufigen Architekturwettbewerbs, mit dem die SBB ein städtebaulich überzeugendes und nachhaltiges Projekt für das Areal gesucht hat. Eine Jury aus externen Fachexpertinnen, Vertretern der Auftraggeber sowie der Stadt hat nun das Siegerprojekt erkoren.

    Das Gewinnerteam – bestehend aus Atelier Abraha Achermann Architekten, EDER Landschaftsarchitekten, Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure AG und der Mettler+Partner AG – lieferte das überzeugendste Gesamtkonzept: Das Planungsteam berücksichtigt mit seinem Vorschlag die örtlichen Gegebenheiten und bringt Freiraum und Städtebau gekonnt zusammen. Die Jury lobt in ihrem einstimmig getroffenen Entscheid die gelassene Selbstverständlichkeit, mit der sich das Siegerprojekt «Convenanza» zwischen den grossmassstäblichen Gleisraum und dem LG-Areal im Westen sowie der Kleinteiligkeit des Baarerquartiers einfügt.

    Das Projekt wird innerhalb der Regelbauweise geplant und schlägt im Gesamten zehn vier- bis fünfgeschossige Gebäude entlang der Geleise vor. Dabei bilden jeweils ein Bürogebäude im Süden und Norden den Auftakt respektive Abschluss der Neubebauung. Dazwischen wird zum Gleisfeld hin in variantenreichen Wohnungen gelebt. Mittig entsteht ein begrünter, städtischer Platz mit Abgang in die künftige Personen- und Velounterführung Guthirt, die über 200 öffentliche Veloparkplätze verfügt. Öffentliche Nutzungen in den Erdgeschossen der anliegenden Bauten sorgen für Leben und Ambiance auf dem Platz. Die Neubauten werden mit einer autofreien Quartierstrasse erschlossen. Auf diese ausgerichtet sind vom Platz gegen Süden Arkaden mit Gewerbe- und Retailnutzungen und gegen Norden weitere Wohnungen. Die Wohnungen profitieren mindestens von einem zweiseitigen Ausblick, dank Erker immer auch nach Westen über das Gleisfeld. Über das ganze Entwicklungsgebiet verteilte Frei- und Grünräume schaffen Wohn- und Aufenthaltsqualität: Entlang der Geleise entstehen biodiverse Ruderalflächen , zwischen den Gebäuden sogenannte «Pocket Parks» und im nördlichen Teil der Bebauung ein grosser, öffentlicher Quartierpark.  Mit der Überbauung schafft die SBB an bestens erschlossener Lage rund 140 Wohnungen, davon einen Drittel im preisgünstigen Segment. Für Gastronomie und Verkauf stehen circa 600 Quadratmeter zur Verfügung, für Dienstleistungen 3 500 Quadratmeter. Die Gebäude werden nach den Vorgaben der DGNB-Nachhaltigkeitsstandards errichtet . Mit einer Umsetzung ist voraussichtlich ab 2025 zu rechnen.

  • Swiss Prime Site lays the foundation stone for the JED site

    Swiss Prime Site lays the foundation stone for the JED site

    The JED (Join.Explore.Dare) in Schlieren will receive a “sustainable keystone”, as stated in a press release from Swiss Prime Site . On September 22, the real estate company from Zug laid the foundation stone for a new building with office and laboratory space, which should be ready for the first tenants to move into from mid-2024. In addition to representatives from Swiss Prime Site and other project participants, Stefano Kunz, Head of the Construction and Planning Department of the City of Schlieren , also took part in the ceremony.

    JED is the site of the former NZZ printing works. Swiss Prime Site has already converted existing buildings there and thus “turned the area into a think and work tank for business, industry and trade”, as CIO Urs Baumann said on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone. The existing buildings are used by the anchor tenants Halter and Zühlke . The new building will now add office and laboratory space to the area on five floors with a rentable area of 14,000 square meters. Anchor tenants could also be won with Superlab Suisse and FlexOffice .

    The new building will be built according to the principles of the circular economy, and certification according to SNBS Gold (Swiss Sustainable Building Standard) is being sought. “Swiss Prime Site has successfully managed to give the former self-contained NZZ area new life and flair through new paths and the open and spacious architecture,” City Councilor Stefano Kunz is quoted as saying.

  • IWB and Kiwigrid cooperate for decentralized energy supply

    IWB and Kiwigrid cooperate for decentralized energy supply

    The Basel Industrial Works ( IWB ) and the German IT company Kiwigrid , which specializes in decentralized energy and e-mobility, are working together to set up energy communities. Both companies have jointly developed software for energy management and asset management, IWB and Kiwigrid inform in a joint statement . It is to be used for the first time on the Westfeld site in Basel. There, the housing cooperative is realizing a new quarter with around 500 cooperative apartments.

    IWB will equip the district with an integrated heating, cooling and power supply. The Basel energy supplier obtains the necessary energy management from Kiwigrid. Using the Energy-IoT platform of the Dresden-based company, the district’s electricity meters, photovoltaic systems, charging stations and heat pumps can be integrated into a network for self-consumption, intelligently controlled and managed.

    “Our goal is a completely renewable, climate-friendly energy supply,” says Markus Balmer, Head of Sales and member of the management board at IWB. The company wants to contribute to the development of sustainable living and working spaces. “As an expert in energy management systems and IoT for renewable energies, Kiwigrid has proven to be the ideal partner in the implementation of our ambitious goals,” explains Balmer.

    The energy community in Westfeld should not remain the only joint project between IWB and Kiwigrid. According to the announcement, the partners have already found interested parties for further mergers. hs

  • Foundation stone laid on the JED campus

    Foundation stone laid on the JED campus

    Since 2018, the former location of a large industrial printing plant has been transformed into a modern place of work and living space with diverse and flexible types of use

    transformed. Urs Baumann, CIO Swiss Prime Site Immobilien: “The revitalization and the change of use initiated with the conversion of the existing buildings have turned the area into a think and work tank for business, industry and trade. The gratifyingly high level of first-time lettings proves that large spaces that interact with one another are very much in demand. The new building perfectly complements the existing ensemble with laboratory and office space.» Stefano Kunz, City Councilor of Schlieren adds: "Swiss Prime Site has successfully managed to give the former self-contained NZZ area new life and flair through new paths and the open and spacious architecture." The new building, which is being built on a land reserve of the site, with five floors, a rentable area of over 14,000 m2 and its unique external appearance, is particularly aimed at tenants who need large, connected and adaptable areas. According to the project plan, the first tenants will move into the building from mid-2024 .

    "Space as a Service" in the attractive Life Science Hub Schlieren
     The JED campus forms a center for know-how transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship and brings together companies from a wide range of industries and sizes. In addition to the already established anchor tenants Zühlke and Halter in the existing buildings, two more will be added in the new building with Superlab Suisse and FlexOffice and will ensure an additional strengthening of the ecosystem. According to their business models, they will offer space as a service to various start-ups and companies as "Space as a Service". Superlab Suisse focuses on young companies in the life sciences sector and offers them fully equipped laboratories with flexibly scalable services. After Lausanne and Basel in 2023, the third location operated by Superlab Suisse will be opened in Schlieren from 2024. FlexOffice already successfully offers fully equipped office space for SMEs in several Swiss cities and is now planning another location on the JED campus. «With Superlab Suisse and FlexOffice, we already had two successful anchor tenants at the time the foundation stone was laid, which fit perfectly into the existing structure of the area and the adjacent cluster. Together with the neighboring Wagi area, we will continue to strengthen the economic cluster and the infrastructure for companies in the life sciences sector and beyond,” concludes Urs Baumann.

  • Building program paid out record sum

    Building program paid out record sum

    According to a press release from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy ( SFOE ), around 361 million francs in subsidies for energy-efficient building refurbishment were approved by the federal government and the cantons in 2021. This is the highest amount that has been invested in renovation and new construction projects since the program was launched. Compared to 2020, the funding amount has increased by CHF 62 million.

    Thermal insulation projects, which were funded with CHF 126 million, received the largest amount. The highest increase of 70 percent compared to 2020 was achieved by building services projects, which received CHF 106 million in grants. The commitments for energy-related measures that will be implemented over the next five years have reached a new high of CHF 490 million.

    The high demand for subsidies can be attributed to the broad approval of owners for energy-efficient renovation of their properties or new builds. According to calculations, the measures approved in the year under review will lead to a reduction in energy consumption in buildings throughout Switzerland by 6.5 billion kilowatt hours and lower CO2 emissions by around 1.8 million tonnes over their lifetime.

    According to the statement, the building program has proven to be an effective instrument of Swiss energy and climate policy. A total of around CHF 2.7 billion has been paid out under the funding program since its introduction in 2010. The building program also has a positive effect on the economy. In 2021, 2,300 full-time jobs and around CHF 97 million in additional domestic value were created.