Category: Projects

Engineering highlight and architectural vision in Barcelona

The central Christ Tower, part of an ensemble of 18 towers, marks the latest step in a construction process that began in 1882 and has now reached a new dimension. The tower will reach its final height of 172.5 meters by mid-2026, just in time for the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death. The spire, made of steel, glass and ceramic elements, was prefabricated in segments from Bavaria and installed using special cranes. The choice of materials and production process follow strict requirements for wind stability, UV resistance and temperature resistance.

Building in generations
The construction process of the Sagrada Família can be read as a mirror of technological evolution. From the handcrafted 19th century to the reconstruction phase after the Civil War to the CAD-supported planning and digital production of the present day. The temple is both a monument and a research laboratory. Since the 1980s, parametric models, 3D simulations and robot-assisted stone processing have revolutionized its construction. Final completion is scheduled for 2033, subject to construction logistical challenges.

Structural design without buttresses
Gaudí’s structural concept deliberately dispenses with classic Gothic buttresses. Inclined load-bearing columns, whose lines follow the force curves of natural structures, as well as hyperbolic and parabolic geometries efficiently direct loads into the ground. This is complemented by real-time monitoring of the structure, analysis of natural frequencies and adaptive construction processes. The church demonstrates how biomimicry, engineering mathematics and sensor-based monitoring can keep a project of the century stable.

Financing without public funds
The Sagrada Família is still financed by donations and entrance fees. This principle gives the project autonomy, but has historically led to delays and social debate. Critical voices still accompany the construction to this day. Nevertheless, the basilica is considered a global symbol of visionary construction beyond conventional time and financing models.

November 2025
Basel-Landschaft awards licences for hydropower

The canton of Basel-Landschaft has included six locations for new small hydropower plants on the Birs and Ergolz rivers in the cantonal structure plan, the Basel-Landschaft Department of Construction and Environmental Protection announced in a press release. The designation was made in accordance with a corresponding requirement of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. In Switzerland, small hydropower plants are defined as plants with an output of up to 10 megawatts that use the energy of small rivers for decentralised electricity generation.

The Cantonal Office for Environmental Protection and Energy(AUE) is responsible for awarding licences. The exact locations of the planned hydropower plants can be found in the press release. Interested companies are invited to submit a request for information online. The AUE will then determine the award procedures for the individual sites.

The canton of Basel-Landschaft has set itself the goal of covering 70 per cent of its energy consumption, excluding mobility, from renewable sources by 2030. The planned six small hydropower plants should contribute to the realisation of this goal.

November 2025
Future neighbourhood with residential and commercial space in Döttingen

The results of the study contract for the Gewerbestrasse site development in Döttingen will be exhibited in Döttingen on 18 and 19 October. The winning entry was submitted by fsp Architekten from Spreitenbach, together with LAND Suisse from Lugano and ASTOC Architects and Planners from Cologne. In the DOT project, a new neighbourhood is being created on the Birchmeier Hess Immobilien site. An area of 75,000 square metres will be home to 550 flats, while 15,000 square metres are earmarked for commercial use, as detailed in a press release.

“With the transformation of the site, industry will become a neighbourhood. Halls become home, traces become identity. The industrial heritage is being transformed – sustainable, future-proof, mixed,” says Ivo Lenherr from fsp Architekten about the DOT project. The jury’s unanimous vote in favour of the winning project was based, among other things, on the “sophisticated urban planning strategy in dealing with the specifications of the landowner, the current building stock and the approved structure plan”. The project represents “a considerate approach to the neighbourhood and public needs and promises a harmonious and rich living and working environment for future users.”

November 2025
New residential ensemble characterises Winterthur’s urban space

Cham Swiss Properties is planning an urban ensemble with the construction of the Rocket high-rise and the three Tigerli residential buildings in Winterthur’s Lokstadt. Rocket & Tigerli, as the property company is calling the construction project, will offer space for 300 rental flats in future, 30 per cent of which will be in the affordable segment, according to a press release. The ensemble with the 100-metre high-rise building will therefore not only shape the Winterthur skyline, but also alleviate the city’s housing shortage.

A building permit was already granted by the city of Winterthur in April 2025, albeit with several conditions. For example, the city demanded that the planned hotel use in the “Rocket” be abandoned in favour of the construction of rental flats. As a result of the revision, the construction company is now planning 5,000 square metres of extra living space and is dedicating the ground floor to publicly accessible retail and restaurant space instead of a hotel check-in. The top floor will also be converted with a viewing room and an area for events and catering.

despite the challenges posed by the conversion, the architect is confident:

“A public zone in a residential building brings challenges in terms of privacy and security. But we are confident that we will be able to implement a good solution so that the entire population can enjoy the view from a height of 100 metres,” Thomas Aebischer, CEO of Cham Swiss Properties, is quoted as saying in the press release.

The sustainability concept of the high-rise building has also been improved: instead of a timber hybrid construction, Rocket will now be realised with CO2-equivalent alternatives that offer advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, plannability and material availability. Certification according to the SNBS Gold standard remains planned.

The building permit is expected to become legally binding in 2026, with construction scheduled to begin in mid-2027. Completion is expected in 2030.

November 2025
Precision work at the Luterbach hydropower plant honoured

Senn AG from Oftringen, which specialises in steel and metal construction as well as crane and other transport, took second place for Crane Work of the Year 2025 under 120 tonnes at the BSK Annual General Meeting on 12 October. The company was nominated in several categories with challenging projects.

According to a press release, the basis for the award is the overhaul of the Luterbach SO hydropower plant, which Senn carried out together with ADEV. As part of the project, a 20-tonne generator with a height of 3.5 metres and a 3.4-metre turbine wheel had to be removed from the hydroelectric power plant, transported, overhauled and finally reinstalled. Lifting the generator and turbine wheel through a roof opening in the power station required millimetre precision work from the crane operators. A specially designed steel frame and a customised heavy-duty transport solution then ensured the smooth removal to the overhaul plant.

The Luterbach project is an example of the company’s own combination of engineering skills, precision and experience in heavy haulage, which enables successful project execution, explains Senn AG.

Senn AG operates in the fields of steel and metal construction, sheet metal and stainless steel centres, emergency power systems, cranes and transport. With more than 200 employees, the company claims to be one of the most important employers in the Zofingen district.

October 2025
Strategic expansion on the European door market

Arbonia AG is strengthening its market position in Europe. The Arbon-based company, which specialises in interior doors made of wood, glass and metal, has taken over the Portuguese door manufacturer Cicomol with effect from 15 October, Arbonia announced in a press release. On 9 October, Arbonia also completed the takeover of the German specialists for special metal frames from Rüthener Zargenbau GmbH & CoKG. Last year, the two companies generated a combined turnover of around 20 million euros.

Arbonia expects the takeover of Cicomol SA, the market leader in Portugal, to strengthen its presence in the specialised trade in Portugal and to generate sales synergies in Spain, Portugal and France. The acquisition of Rüthener Zargenbau, in turn, is intended to close a gap in Arbonia’s portfolio. To date, the international company has largely purchased its metal frames externally. According to Arbonia, both acquisitions will also strengthen margins and increase value.

The transactions include the takeover of around 130 employees from Cicomol and almost 40 employees from Rüthener Zargenbau. The management of the two companies will also remain unchanged.

October 2025
Clay celebrates its comeback

Clay has been tried and tested for thousands of years, consists of local clay, silt and sand, can be used without energy-intensive firing processes and is available in almost unlimited quantities. In contrast to concrete, the production of which causes considerable CO₂ emissions by burning limestone, loam scores points with its minimal energy consumption during extraction and processing. According to estimates from various sources, the production of concrete generates an average of 800-900 kg of CO₂ per tonne, whereas clay often only produces a tenth of this and usually none at all, provided it is dried naturally

The clay pavilion in Horw
As part of the “Think Earth” programme, ETH Zurich, HSLU and industrial companies are working together to bring clay and wood into innovative applications as a material base. One milestone is the clay pavilion in Horw, where clay and wood elements are combined in hybrid form with recycled Oulesse, a mixed demolition material developed by Oxara. The prototypes are created in close collaboration with the construction industry and students. The aim is to create modular, prefabricated clay building components with reliable strength, versatile and deconstructable, for multi-storey residential construction and flexible architecture

Advantages, challenges and recycling potential
Earth is not only energy-saving, but can also store CO₂, especially when organic additives are added – it can even have a climate-positive effect. Earth building materials can be easily separated and reused when buildings are dismantled. The recycling process is not costly and enables a genuine circular economy.

Clay is already available in abundance regionally as excavated clay or as a by-product (“filter cake”) from gravel and excavation washing. So far, widespread use has failed mainly due to a lack of standardisation and market maturity. The “Think Earth” project partners are now working intensively on this

Clay construction hybrid solutions are still more cost-intensive than conventional concrete construction, but advances in industrial production, material mixing and quality assurance are increasingly bringing them within reach for the masses

From niche to standard?
Researchers at HSLU and ETH Zurich are working on the standardisation of the new hybrid earth building elements, so that market entry in the next ten years is realistic. The industry is showing great interest. Especially because “waste” from excavations is becoming a key raw material. With clay, wood and intelligent hybrid technologies, a building principle is available that conserves natural resources, offers climate benefits and still enables architectural diversity. Clay is experiencing an innovation and image revival. “Think Earth” and the earth pavilion show how research and the construction industry are working together to deliver solutions for the building revolution. A small ecological footprint, circular potential and healthy living are more than just a trend – they mark the path to urban building culture in the 21st century.

October 2025
Hotel castle wins prestigious design award

Dormakaba, which specialises in access and locking systems, has won the ICONIC AWARD from the German Design Council with its Quantum Pixel hotel lock. The digital lock, which is integrated directly into the door leaf, enables access with mobile devices at any time thanks to its compatibility with NFC, Bluetooth Low Energy and digital wallets. The Quantum Pixel can also be activated with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) access media such as access cards, key fobs and wristbands.

The versatility of the lock thus increases convenience for hotel guests, according to a press release from dormakaba, while at the same time simplifying the administration of hotel management with the digital allocation of access rights. With a choice of different surfaces, lever handle versions and two escutcheon designs, the access solution can also be configured to suit the hotel’s taste.

“Global technological and user-centred aspects are decisive in the design. The honouring of our Quantum Pixel electronic hotel lock with the prestigious ICONIC AWARD shows once again that dormakaba brings innovative solutions with high customer benefits to the market,” Bernhard Heitz, Head of Strategic Product Design, is quoted as saying in the press release.

According to the German Design Council, the ICONIC AWARD honours outstanding achievements in architecture, interior design and product innovation and strengthens international exchange in the construction and design industry. In 2025, the winners were selected from over 560 entries in five main categories and 42 sub-categories.

October 2025
New event arena for Central Switzerland inaugurated

The Pilatus Arena is preparing for its grand opening: On 25 October, the “most modern midsize arena in Switzerland” will be unveiled to the public in front of a sold-out crowd with an opening show followed by a home match between handball club HC Kriens-Lucerne and HSC Suhr Aarau, Halter Gruppe AG announced in a press release. The property developer from Schlieren owns 70 per cent of Pilatus Arena AG. The remaining 30 per cent is held by Caranto AG from Lucerne, which specialises in property management and stadium catering. Both companies are also responsible for the operation of the facility via Pilatus Arena Sports & Event AG.

On 14 October, invited guests from the worlds of politics, sport and culture were given their first exclusive glimpse of the facility at a pre-opening event. The Pilatus Arena offers space for 4,500 visitors and will serve as the new home of HC Kriens-Lucerne as well as a “hub for sport, events and culture in Central Switzerland and beyond”, according to the press release. At the pre-opening, Lucerne Councillor of States Damian Müller (FDP) described the project as a “promise of sport, culture, sustainability, community and emotion in Lucerne and the whole of Central Switzerland”.

October 2025
Green light for railway extension between Zurich and Winterthur

According to a press release, the Federal Office of Transport has granted planning permission for the expansion of the link between Zurich and Winterthur. A nine-kilometre double-track tunnel is to be built for this purpose, which will be reached in the south with two access routes from Bassersdorf and Dietlikon. In the north, it ends at Tössmühle in Winterthur. At the same time, the railway stations in Winterthur-Töss, Dietlikon, Bassersdorf and Wallisellen are to be rebuilt and extended.

The expansion will widen the current bottleneck through Effretikon and Kemptthal to four tracks throughout. This will shorten journey times and expand the range of regional connections in particular.

The costs are estimated at CHF 3.3 billion in 2014 prices. The expansion is part of the 2035 railway expansion phase approved by the Federal Parliament in 2019.

The planning approval can be appealed to the Federal Administrative Court within 30 days. Otherwise, SBB can determine the definitive expansion programme and start the preparatory work at the beginning of 2026.

October 2025
New hotel project strengthens tourism in Scuol

Halter AG and Bergbahnen Scuol SA have signed a purchase agreement for the land of the former Engadinerhof in Scuol. The two partners intend to establish a hotel business with 130 rooms there, as detailed in a press release. Additional added value is to be brought into the region through the annual occupancy rate. In addition, staff flats, tourist flats as well as first and second homes are to be built to meet local demand.

“The hotel complex will give visitors unforgettable moments and at the same time help to further consolidate Scuol as a lively and attractive tourist destination,” comments Roman Kummer, project manager at Schlieren-based Halter AG, in the press release. The project aims to strengthen Scuol as a holiday and recreation destination in the long term. Bergbahnen Scuol is contributing its local roots and tourism experience to the collaboration.

The current plan is to submit the planning application in mid-2028.

October 2025
Residential development in Wädenswil reaches important milestone

Halter AG has reached an important milestone in the AuPark project in Wädenswil, the Schlieren-based property developer announced in a post on LinkedIn. Specifically, the first stage of the development was handed over to the client Swiss Life Asset Managers on schedule. The second stage should be completed by 30 March next year.

In the AuPark project, five apartment blocks and commercial buildings with a total of 300 flats are being built around the eponymous central AuPark. The client, Swiss Life Asset Managers, is having some of the flats built as affordable housing. The first 120 flats are now available to their new residents with the completion of the first phase. A number of commercial spaces were also completed in the first phase. Coop will be setting up a branch on one of them.

October 2025
Haute-Sorne pilot project demonstrates usable geothermal reservoir

According to a press release, Geo-Energie Jura SA has completed theexploration phase of the Haute-Sorne pilot project. A deep borehole has confirmed that the rock can be utilised as a geothermal reservoir. The seismic limit values are complied with when the permeability of the rock is increased.

Independent experts commissioned by the canton of Jura will now examine the documents from a safety point of view. The canton will then decide whether to continue with the project.

Geo-Energie Suisse will now evaluate further projects in Switzerland with an electrical output of between 10 and 30 megawatts. Based on experience abroad, the company assumes that production costs for the generation of electricity of 15 centimes per kilowatt hour are possible. If the production of electricity is combined with that of heat, the economic efficiency could be further improved.

Geo-Energie Jura SA, based in Bassecourt, is a joint venture founded in 2015 by Geo-Energie Suisse SA and the energy suppliers of Baselland(ebl), Bern(ewb) and Zurich(ewz). The Haute-Sorne project aims to explore the use of heat at a depth of 5 kilometres for a geothermal power plant.

The energy suppliers in Ticino(aet), western Switzerland(EOS) and Basel(iwb) as well as Gasverbund Mittelland are also involved in Geo-Energie Suisse SA, which is based in Zurich.

October 2025
New wind measuring mast provides data for planned wind farm

Axpo is embarking on the next phase of its wind power project on the Dreibündenstein. A 125-metre-high wind measuring mast will be erected on the Grisons hill south of Chur on 9 October, the Baden-based energy company announced in a press release. It will collect data on wind speed, wind direction, weather conditions and bat activity over the course of a year.

The system, which was specially developed by Axpo subsidiary CKW for the project in Graubünden, does not require an external power supply. This is made possible by a battery that is charged by a photovoltaic system and two wind generators attached to the mast. The data collection system can be monitored remotely by Axpo and is housed in a special container that can even be heated if necessary. “This technological innovation enables us to carry out wind measurements at locations that were previously difficult to access,” said Cédric Aubert, Head of Wind Switzerland at Axpo, in the press release.

The company plans to install up to eight wind turbines with a total output of around 40 megawatts at the Dreibündenstein. They are expected to supply over 65 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, around 60 per cent of which will be generated in winter. In parallel to the wind measurements that are now starting, Axpo wants to sound out the logistical requirements of the wind farm project in transport and grid studies.

October 2025
New travel terminal strengthens Frauenfeld site

The Twerenbold Reisen Group is having a new travel terminal built in Frauenfeld. In addition to the coach travel terminal with travel lounge and café, the new location will also house the employees of the Mittelthurgau travel agency of Excellence Cruises, the family-run company from Baden announced in a press release. “This will make our range of coach, music and bike tours with Twerenbold Reisen, boat trips with Excellence Cruises and hiking holidays with Imbach Reisen even more accessible,” Karim Twerenbold, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Twerenbold Reisen Group and fourth-generation owner, is quoted as saying. “The terminal and office building in Frauenfeld will create an additional hub alongside the company headquarters in Baden-Rütihof.”

Twerenbold Reisen has entrusted Strut Architekten AG with the planning of the new building. The Winterthur-based architecture firm specialises in sustainable construction. “Out of conviction”, Strut Architektur has therefore minimised the use of underground structures associated with high concrete consumption in the new travel terminal, according to the press release.

The new building in Frauenfeld will also be air-conditioned using air-to-heat pumps. A photovoltaic system that can generate up to 120 megawatt hours of electricity per year is also planned. The water consumption of the bus wash will be largely covered by rainwater, which will be collected in a cistern.

The city of Frauenfeld has already granted planning permission for the new travel terminal. Construction work is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026 and be completed in 2028. No details of the investment volume are provided in the press release.

October 2025
Lift partner for Asia’s hotel boom

The Schindler Group and Accor have signed a service agreement in Asia, Schindler announced in a press release. The globally active group of companies from Ebikon will supply lifts, escalators and moving walks for Accor properties in Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to the hotel group, which is also based in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. The agreement also includes modernisation, maintenance and service of the systems. “We see great potential in this collaboration and look forward to working closely with Schindler to fulfil the needs of our guests in our hotels,” said Sébastien Brunel, Senior Vice President Procurement, Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific at Accor, in the press release.

Schindler will tailor the lifts, escalators and moving walks destined for Accor to the specific requirements of the hotel group. The two partner companies intend to work closely together and coordinate their efforts at an early stage. “This agreement provides a solid foundation for expanding our collaboration with Accor in the region,” said Calynn Tan, Chief Executive Officer of the Jardine Schindler Group(JSG), in the press release. “JSG aims to be a trusted partner of Accor, delivering state-of-the-art transport equipment and comprehensive maintenance services.” The Hong Kong-based Jardine Schindler Group was founded in 1974 as a joint venture between Jardine Matheson in Hong Kong and Schindler in Ebikon.

October 2025
Development site at Zofingen railway station gains a new perspective

Pensimo has acquired the western part of the former Swissprinter site near Zofingen railway station through its Turidomus real estate investment foundation. The 27,636 square metres of land was owned by Ringier Areal AG. Together with the town of Zofingen and the Basel-based architectural firm Christ & Gantenbein, Ringier Areal AG had developed a strategy for converting the site into a mixed residential and working neighbourhood and was looking for an investor.

According to a press release issued by Pensimo, a study contract will be launched next year to clarify the urban planning ideas and sharpen up the housing offer. At present, over 300 flats are planned, which will be built from 2028 and could be ready for occupancy from 2030.

Alexander Büchel, the portfolio manager responsible at Pensimo, describes the acquisition of this “unique and strategically ideal development site” as a special opportunity. “Zofingen has an attractive location quality, is a cantonal development centre and the micro-location of the site is excellent.”

The five building plots of the Areal-West site are to have a diverse range of flats and be certified in accordance with the Swiss Sustainable Building Standard. “We want to build on the industrial past,” says Büchel, adding that the aim is to develop a “sustainable offering”.

The Swissprinters printing plant, like Ringier Areal a joint subsidiary of Ringier and NZZ, was closed in September 2024. The entire site covers around 55,000 square metres in a central location. According to Ringier Areal AG, it is currently pressing ahead with a development project for the eastern part of the site with the historic main building.

October 2025
Partnership for future-oriented engineering training

The Zurich School of Business(HWZ) has agreed partnerships with the Swiss Association of Industrial Engineers(VWI Switzerland) and the Swiss Chamber of Experts (STV). The collaboration is intended to bring science and practice closer together and open up new topics at the interface between business and technology, according to a press release.

The collaboration with the national platform for industrial engineering and the competence centre for expert opinions in technology, construction and business is to be reflected above all in the continuing education sector. As a first step, a CAS Future Engineering continuing education programme will be launched at the HWZ from spring 2026. The programme is aimed at industrial engineers, technology managers, executives and consultants who want to strategically implement technological innovations, apply agile methods in practice and actively shape change in companies, according to the press release.

“With the CAS Future Engineering HWZ, we are creating a continuing education programme that not only responds to today’s requirements in the technical environment, but also actively develops skills for tomorrow,” said Linard Barth, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Academy at the HWZ, in the press release. “The partnership with the VWI and the STV Chamber of Experts allows us to intelligently combine expertise from science, business and technology.”

October 2025
Solar power plant above Klosters commences partial operation

The first 15 per cent of Madrisa Solar feeds electricity into the grid. According to a press release, the first 500 solar tables are fitted with 3,000 bifacial solar modules. The electricity will be used to power the neighbouring Klosters-Madrisa mountain railways.

The solar power plant at 2,000 metres above Klosters Dorf is set to achieve an output of 11 megawatt peak when fully built on an area of 150,000 square metres with around 20,000 solar modules. Of the 17 gigawatt hours of electricity, 40 per cent will be generated in the winter months between October and March. Commissioning of the entire plant is scheduled for autumn 2027. By autumn 2026, 50 to 60 percent of the output should already be available.

Madrisa Solar AG is a joint venture between Repower, EKZ and the municipality of Klosters, each of which holds a one-third stake. Madrisa Solar is the first solar power plant of the national solar express to feed electricity into the grid.

October 2025
Alte Mühle residential project reaches important milestone

Swica Health Organisation Ltd. is building a new neighbourhood with a total of 136 flats on the former Huggler site in Suhr. SWICA has entrusted Halter AG from Schlieren with the realisation of the Alte Mühle residential park project as total contractor. Around a year after the foundation stone was laid, the topping-out ceremony has now been celebrated on the building site, Halter announced in a post on LinkedIn.

In the Alte Mühle residential park project, ten apartment blocks will be grouped around the Alte Mühle in a loose building structure. Halter explains in the project description that the mill itself can be renovated without the need for heritage protection. The three to five-storey buildings should be completed by the end of 2026. Around half of the rental flats and a large proportion of the owner-occupied flats have already been reserved.

October 2025
City of Zurich honors best construction projects 2025

The award-winning projects, which were realized between 2021 and 2024, contribute to the identity and quality of life of the city of Zurich with their architectural quality, responsible use of resources and strong social connection. From Friday, October 3, to November 9, 2025, the award-winning buildings will be on display in the themed exhibition at the Zentrum Architektur Zürich.

One hundred projects, ten awards
“The quality and diversity of the hundred or so projects submitted was impressive,” explained Mayor Corine Mauch. The works submitted create lively urban spaces with a high quality of stay, promote social interaction and shape the identity of the neighborhoods. An interdisciplinary jury of experts chaired by City Councillor André Odermatt selected the ten outstanding buildings from this broad spectrum.

Socio-spatial and ecological responsibility
The assessment went beyond pure architecture. Socio-spatial aspects such as inclusion, meeting opportunities and the responsible use of natural resources were also included in the decision-making process. “What all these projects have in common is that they take responsibility for people, nature and the identity of the city. They shape how we perceive Zurich and create lasting memories,” says André Odermatt.

Open space as the key to urban quality of life
City Councillor Simone Brander particularly emphasized the importance of even small and inconspicuous open spaces: “These in-between spaces significantly determine how a city and its districts function and how we experience them.”

Audience award goes to the new building of the University Children’s Hospital
The audience award was determined by an online vote and went to the new building project of the University Children’s Hospital Zurich with around 300 votes. With its modern wood and concrete architecture, the building creates a warm atmosphere and sets new architectural and functional standards in healthcare construction.

Award-winning projects
Office and commercial building Binzstrasse
Client: Swiss Life Asset Management AG
Architecture: EM2N Architekten AG
Landscape architecture: Balliana Schubert Landschaftsarchitekten AG

Complete refurbishment of the “Im Birkenhof” housing estate
Client: City of Zurich
Architecture: Romero Schaefle Partner Architekten AG
Landscape architecture: Westpol Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH

Complete refurbishment of Zurich main station south wing
Client: SBB AG, Immobilien Development
Architecture: Aebi & Vincent Architekten SIA AG

Complete renovation of Building Q, Werkstadt Areal
Client: SBB Immobilien AG
Architecture: Baubüro in situ ag
Transformation of use: denkstatt sàrl

House in the garden
Client: Irma Peter
Architecture: Loeliger Strub Architecture
Landscape architecture: Permatur

High-rise ensemble WolkenWerk and Messeturm
Client: Leutschenbach AG, Nyffenegger Immobilien AG
Architecture: Staufer & Hasler Architekten AG, von Ballmoos Partner Architekten AG
Landscape architecture: Mavo GmbH

Kongresshaus and Tonhalle Zurich – renovation
Client: Kongresshaus-Stiftung Zürich
Architecture: ARGE Boesch Diener
Landscape architecture: Vogt Landschaftsarchitekten AG

New University Children’s Hospital Zurich (Audience Award)
Client: Children’s Hospital Zurich – Eleonorenstiftung
Architecture: Herzog & de Meuron
Landscape architecture: August Margrith Künzel Landschaftsarchitekten AG

Provisional sports buildings
Client: Canton of Zurich, Department of Structural Engineering
Architecture: pool architects
Landscape architecture: Balliana Schubert Landschaftsarchitekten AG

Allmend school complex
Client: City of Zurich
Architecture: Studio Burkhardt – Studio for Architecture ETH SIA
Landscape architecture: Ganz Landscape Architects

Temporary sports buildings and school buildings were also recognized for their use of wood and sustainable design.

Exhibition and podium
The exhibition at ZAZ Bellerive offers the opportunity to get to know all the award-winning building projects in detail. On November 5, 2025, there will also be a panel discussion on the topic of “Weiterbauen: Strategies for the existing building stock”. Leading experts from the fields of architecture, planning and real estate development will discuss perspectives for urban redensification and the sustainable use of existing buildings.

A prize with tradition and a sense of the future
The City of Zurich’s award for good buildings is only presented every five years and is the city’s most prestigious architecture prize. By consciously taking sustainable and social criteria into account, it promotes a building culture that not only shapes Zurich today, but also makes it worth living in for future generations.

October 2025
Climate-friendly heat supply for Zofingen and Oftringen

StWZ Energie AG and Primeo Energie want to jointly create a sustainable district heating supply in the lower Wiggertal valley. To this end, the energy service providers have founded the joint company Fernwärme Unteres Wiggertal AG (FUWI) as of 19 September 2025. The aim is to combine “infrastructure, customer proximity and energy expertise” in order to further develop the heat supply in a climate-friendly way.

The new network is to be operated using waste heat from the erzo-KVA waste incineration plant and from existing decentralised StWZ energy centres. Existing heating networks from StWZ in Zofingen and Primeo Energie in Oftringen are to be integrated.

The first households are to be supplied with low-CO2 heat energy from the new network from summer 2027. Two phases are planned for the expansion. Phase one is to begin in 2026 from the erzo-KVA waste incineration plant and run towards Oftringen Süd and Zofingen. The second phase will follow in 2030 at the earliest and will depend on the planned new construction of the waste incineration plant. This will require the consent of the people of Oftringen for the zoning of a required piece of land. If both construction phases go into operation, 10,000 households could be supplied with heat and 30,000 tonnes of CO2 could be saved.

Michael Schneider, Managing Director of Primeo Wärme AG, sees the energy revolution as a heating revolution. This step lays a “foundation stone for a long-term sustainable heat supply in the lower Wiggertal”. “By combining regional energy sources with modern technology, we are reducing CO2 emissions in a targeted manner and expanding the supply of reliable, decarbonised heat,” Paul Marbach, Managing Director of StWZ Energie AG, is quoted as saying.

October 2025
Köniz tests power supply with 100 per cent renewable energy

The Bernese energy supplier BKW is testing new solutions for supplying electricity from renewable energies. According to a press release, a three-year pilot project will provide real-time data on electricity demand and consumption in the Mittelhäusern district of the municipality of Köniz.

The choice of test area was the result of a feasibility study commissioned by the municipality of Köniz. The test focussed on supplying electricity to the 950 residents of the municipality. In the contiguous supply area, the electricity supply is to be realised using renewable energies. After the test phase, all energy customers will have the opportunity to obtain 100 per cent renewable energy, which is more environmentally friendly and cheaper than before, according to the press release.

Mittelhäusern could become the first Swiss village to cover its entire energy requirements, i.e. electricity, heat, mobility and processes, from renewable sources, according to BKW. However, a separate follow-up project is planned for the areas of heat and mobility.

The central aim of the study is to provide BKW Power Grid with data and experience with real-time sensor and actuator technology in a practical experiment. The aim is to ensure a stable and efficient power supply at all times. As a result, the understanding of an intelligent overall electrical system (smart grid) should be improved.

October 2025
Zurich agglomeration needs new buildings

The Zurich agglomeration is the only one in Switzerland where the population is growing faster than the housing stock. This was revealed by a study conducted by the Zurich research institute Sotomo on behalf of Fürschi Züri.

The housing stock in the Lausanne conurbation has grown by 10.0 per cent since 2016, in Geneva by 8.9 per cent and even in Winterthur by 8.5 per cent. In Zurich, the figure was only 7.8 per cent. Within the Zurich agglomeration, the labour market region of Kloten saw above-average growth of 10.9 percent, Uster-Dübendorf 8.6 percent and Limmattal 8.4 percent.

The agglomeration is lagging behind, particularly in terms of new builds, with growth of 3.8 per cent. Only the Basel agglomeration is lower at 2.7 per cent. Lausanne has 5.5 per cent more new builds and Winterthur 5.3 per cent.

Zurich, on the other hand, is ahead with an increase of 4.5 per cent in replacement new builds. However, Zurich is also the agglomeration in which replacement new builds create the lowest number of new flats with a factor of 2.8 and the smallest new living space with a factor of 3.4. Even Winterthur achieves a factor of 3.4 for the number of flats and 3.7 for floor space. Lausanne leads the field with a factor of 6.5 for the number of apartments and 5.9 for floor space, followed by Geneva with 6.1 for the number of apartments and 5.6 for floor space.

There are considerable differences within the Zurich agglomeration. The labour market region of Kloten has a factor of 4.3 for the number of flats. The fewest new flats are being created in Küsnacht-Meilen with a factor of 2.2. In the city of Zurich, the factor for the number of flats is 2.3.

Young people and families are the main direct beneficiaries of new builds. The majority of residents of new builds come from the municipality (Zurich agglomeration 41 per cent, Winterthur 50 per cent) or from the agglomeration (Zurich 39 per cent, Winterthur 11 per cent). Newcomers from abroad mainly move into existing flats; in the agglomeration, they make up 23 per cent of all newcomers to existing flats.

Completely renovated flats are generally more expensive than new builds. Newly occupied existing flats in sought-after locations are just as expensive as new builds, and even more expensive in Geneva. New builds do not drive up the prices of neighbouring existing flats either.

The Zurich conurbation is dependent on new construction, concludes study author Michael Hermann. “New buildings are the key to ensuring that Zurich remains an attractive place to live for everyone,” he is quoted as saying in a press release from Fürschi Züri.

“Blocking renovations and new builds is counterproductive,” adds Raphaël Tschanz, Director of the Zurich Chamber of Commerce(ZHK). “Without new builds, young adults and families will be displaced.”

Fürschi Züri is an initiative of the ZHK and like-minded organisations and individuals.

October 2025
Helicopter deployment for climate-friendly energy supply

The Clinique Valmont in Montreux has been equipped with a climate-friendly heat supply system by BRUGG Pipes. It consists of a Siemens air heat pump, which is connected to the clinic via a district heating pipe, BRUGG Pipes explains in a press release. The heating capacity of the system is estimated at 321 kilowatts. With the new sustainable heat supply, the clinic, which is part of the Swiss Medical Network, will be able to avoid around 263 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

BRUGG Pipes took an unusual approach to the delivery of the district heating pipe. “As space was limited and an incline had to be negotiated between the unloading and installation sites, we used a helicopter to transport the four sections, each weighing around 700 kilograms,” said René Hilty, Project Manager Specialist Construction Planning at the company, which is part of BRUUG GROUP AG in Brugg, in the press release. The Siemens heat pump even weighs 2.8 tonnes. It will be transported by a Super Puma helicopter on 30 September.

October 2025
Renovation of the Pérolles Bridge near Fribourg underway

Walo Bertschinger AG is involved in the ongoing renovation of the Pérolles Bridge between Fribourg and Marly FR. The 550 metre long and up to 70 metre high road bridge over the Saane is being repaired following damage to the road surface. Walo Bertschinger’s team is currently taking on a range of the work involved, as the fourth-generation construction company from Dietikon explains in a post on Facebook.

Specifically, Walo is replacing the carriageway joints and renewing around 10,000 square metres of asphalt. The Walo team is also repairing damaged concrete and providing the bridge with modern waterproofing. The Pérolles Bridge will remain open to cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians throughout the construction work.

October 2025
Schadenmühle Ost project invites public participation

A consortium of three private landowners and the city of Baden is planning to transform the Schadenmühle Ost site into a place for sustainable, dense and mixed-use living. The current use of the site, which consists of individual buildings, car parks and unused areas, does not meet today’s requirements or the current building and usage regulations, the consortium explains in a press release. The Schadenmühle Ost transformation project aims to create an urban area with around 100 flats, flexible commercial space, green areas and an underground car park.

On 16 September, the consortium presented the project and its integration into the city’s urban development plans for Baden at an information event. This marked the start of a new phase for the flagship project, according to the press release: from 22 September to 21 October, interested parties can now submit comments and suggestions on or objections to the Schadenmühle Ost design plan. The consortium is providing detailed information on the project on an information portal.

“We are rooted in Baden and it is important to us to make the Schadenmühle Ost site attractive for the city,” Beni Schmocker, one of the four landowners, is quoted as saying in the press release. “Involving the local population is a matter of course for the landowners.”

October 2025
Architecture prize honours outstanding building projects in the canton of Zurich

The Foundation for the Honouring of Good Buildings in the Canton of Zurich has awarded the Canton of Zurich Architecture Prize, which is presented every three years, for the eighth time. The jury honoured four projects in each of the categories of distinction and recognition for their design quality and innovative approach to current challenges, as detailed in a press release. The foundation is supported by the Canton of Zurich’s Building Department, the Zurich section of the Association of Swiss Architects, the Swiss Werkbund and Zürcher Kantonalbank.

The Leutschenbach high-rise ensemble in Zurich and the complete refurbishment of the Im Birkenhof housing estate were recognised in the award category, as were the temporary sports buildings in the canton of Zurich and the Wallrüti school building in Winterthur.

The ensemble of three residential buildings in Kleinandelfingen, the new extension to the Limmattal cantonal school in Urdorf, the communal living project in Roter Kamm in Zurich and the Hobelwerk, House D in Winterthur were recognised. The Swiss Life Arena in Zurich received the Audience Award. This was awarded in an online vote that ran from mid-April to the end of May.

The foundation also honoured the Hobelwerk, Haus D in Winterthur with the sustainability award Der Grüne Leu. This honours architects who have dedicated themselves to ecological sustainability and developed their own aesthetic and architectural language.

“Good architecture ensures well-being, efficiency and value retention. It takes sustainability into account in many dimensions. For example, in achieving the social objective of inward densification of our residential areas while at the same time creating valuable recreational spaces,” Heinz Stecher, Key Account Manager Construction/Real Estate at Zürcher Kantonalbank and member of the Foundation Board, is quoted as saying in the press release.

September 2025
New concrete reduces CO2 emissions in the construction industry

Omya is a new partner in NEST, the modular research and innovation building of Empa and Eawag in Dübendorf. In the Beyond.Zero unit, which has been based there since the beginning of 2024, they want to test a cement-reduced concrete that they developed in a joint research project, according to a statement from Empa.

Omya contributed its expertise as a globally active specialist in industrial materials. “The fact that we can now jointly develop sustainable building materials and test them directly in NEST under real conditions accelerates the transfer of innovations into climate-friendly construction methods,” said Empa Director Tanja Zimmermann.

This innovative building material replaces up to 70 per cent of its clinker content with natural minerals. As Empa explains, this significantly reduces its CO2 footprint. “For a new type of concrete to be widely accepted, it needs to be tested in practice,” Empa researcher Mateusz Wyrzyklowski from Empa’s Concrete and Asphalt department is quoted as saying. “By using it in the NEST Beyond.Zero unit, we can comprehensively validate our cement-reduced concrete: from processing to durability.”

The aim is a building material “that not only fulfils the ecological requirements, but also impresses in terms of workability, mechanical properties, volume stability and durability,” says Empa. The Beyond.Zero unit goes beyond the net zero target in construction. It pursues the vision that buildings can serve as carbon sinks in the future – in other words, they will have a negative CO2 balance on balance. The construction sector currently accounts for around 28 per cent of CO2 emissions in Switzerland.

September 2025
Pioneering civil engineering

With a total length of 266 metres, the bridge replaces an outdated structure from 1926 that no longer met the requirements of modern rail traffic. The central component is a gleaming white network arch with a span of 130 metres, which spans the border river Oder without supports. Instead of classic flat steel cables, 88 carbon tension members made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic are used. These hangers were largely developed, tested and assessed at the Empa Institute in Dübendorf. They replace the steel segments weighing several tonnes and thus significantly reduce the overall weight of the supporting structure. An advantage for material efficiency and design freedom.

Economic and sustainable benefits
The innovative bridge technology made it possible to save around 600 tonnes of steel and 1,350 tonnes of reinforced concrete. A project-specific scaffolding solution was used in the construction process to ensure efficient assembly and welding of the bridge segments. Thanks to the high fatigue, tensile and corrosion resistance of the carbon fibre cables, both the maintenance effort and the service life of the bridge are positively influenced. A sustainability study shows that the use of carbon causes around 20 per cent less CO₂ emissions than a conventional steel structure.

International appeal and future potential
The railway bridge can be used by freight and passenger trains at speeds of up to 120 km/h and fulfils the highest safety standards. Extensive tests by Empa confirmed the fatigue strength of the material under real loads. The bridge has received several awards, including the Bridges International Award and the German Bridge Construction Prize. It is regarded as a pioneer for the use of high-performance composite materials in infrastructure construction.

New aesthetics and symbolic significance
The striking, elegant arch creates an architectural accent in the border region and emphasises the connection between the countries. The network arch bridge with carbon hangers symbolises both technical innovation and ecological responsibility. In future, it could serve as a standard for comparable major projects in European rail transport.

September 2025