immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: International

  • The city shapes the traffic and the traffic shapes the city

    The city shapes the traffic and the traffic shapes the city

    Researchers from ETH Zurich and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have correlated geoinformation data from 30 major cities worldwide with traffic congestion data. For the first time, they were able to demonstrate not just correlations, but genuine cause-and-effect relationships between urban changes and traffic flow. The study was published in April 2026 in the journal “Nature Communications”.

    Three factors, one traffic jam
    The research team led by first author Yatao Zhang distinguished three dimensions. The structure of the road network, the spatial form of the city and the function of individual areas, i.e. whether people live, shop or work there. Surprisingly, it is not only the road network that determines the flow of traffic. An urban sprawl structurally generates more traffic. The concentration of leisure activities in a neighborhood drives up weekend traffic. Mixed-use developments, on the other hand, bring living and working close together, shorten commuting distances and reduce the volume of traffic. “Traffic is created by what people do, not just by the existence of roads,” Zhang sums it up.

    Singapore versus Zurich
    An international comparison shows major differences. In Singapore, residential areas are clearly separated from the service center and structural changes have a direct impact on commuter flows. In Zurich, this link is much weaker because apartments are spread across the entire city and commutes are shorter and more diverse. Such differences can now be systematically measured and compared for the first time.

    What this means for planning
    ETH Professor Martin Raubal, who supervised the study, sees great potential for urban and transportation planning. The new method makes it possible to forecast how an intervention, such as the construction of a large shopping center, will affect traffic in the medium term. Cities could use it to better simulate measures before they are implemented. However, more in-depth detailed analyses are still needed before concrete recommendations can be made in Zurich or other cities.

    Data from open sources
    Open Street Map was the main source of data, supplemented by traffic congestion data from Here Technologies, which is updated every five minutes worldwide. For Los Angeles alone, the congestion values of over 18,000 road sections were included in the analysis. The fact that such a study is based on publicly accessible geodata makes the approach reproducible and scalable.

  • Hybrid is the new normal

    Hybrid is the new normal

    77% of Swiss companies now rely on hybrid working models. That is more than twice as many as before the pandemic. In Germany, 79% of companies offer hybrid working, while the proportion of employees working from home remains stable at between 23% and 24%. At the same time, the analysis of job advertisements, a reliable seismograph for medium-term corporate decisions, shows that hybrid working has been consistently communicated as a working model in around 20% of German and 15% of Swiss job advertisements since 2023.

    Recalibration, not capitulation
    Yes, the average time spent working from home has fallen slightly. In Switzerland from 1.36 to 1.15 days per week, in Germany from 1.0 to 0.85 days. Anyone who sees this as the end of flexibilization is misreading the data. Only 4 to 5 percent of German companies are considering doing away with the home office completely. 74 percent plan to retain hybrid models, while 11 percent even want to increase flexibility. Adjusting entrepreneurial thinking, not turning back.

    Rethinking the office
    The real question is not how many days someone spends in the office. It is why someone should come to the office. 75 percent of employees see the office as a better place for social interaction, 58 percent for networking and career development, 49 percent for creative interaction. The office is changing from an obligatory place to a meeting point for things that don’t work remotely. CBRE speaks of the “office as an attractor”, a place that must offer tangible added value in order to justify the journey. Globally, office occupancy has now recovered to 53%, the highest level since March 2020.

    What companies need to do now
    The data is clear, as are the areas for action. 72% of the companies surveyed have set themselves the goal of improving office space utilization. 66 percent want to sustainably improve the office experience. In other words, spaces that enable collaboration instead of hindering it. Concepts that make team days meaningful and a corporate culture that makes presence attractive rather than enforcing it. Anyone who views the office as a mere cost problem is missing the real strategic question. What value does it create for people and the organization?

    Flexibility as a competitive factor
    Hybrid working has long been more than just an HR issue. It is a factor in the battle for skilled workers. Companies that credibly embrace flexibility have a measurable advantage in recruiting. The ISG study on the future of the Swiss workplace shows that employee experience has become a key lever, from collaboration and onboarding to the availability of space. Hybrid working is the new normal and those who strategically shape it now will position themselves as employers of the future.

  • Solar cells that camouflage themselves

    Solar cells that camouflage themselves

    Nature shows us how it’s done. The Morpho butterfly produces its intense blue wing sheen not through pigments, but through three-dimensional microstructures that refract and reflect light. Researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have transferred this principle to photovoltaic modules. A vacuum process applies a similar surface structure to the cover glass or flexible films. Depending on the fine structure, this produces modules in a wide range of colors, from brick red to anthracite. The result is called MorphoColor®.

    Patterns directly into the module
    New is the “ShadeCut” technology, which provides colored films with transparent cut-outs and thus integrates complex patterns and motifs directly into solar modules. A laser or a CAD-controlled cutting process applies the desired motif to the film, whether it is a brick structure, masonry or a company logo. The technology works with all standard photovoltaic and solar thermal modules and can be used both as a flexible embedding film and as a backsheet film. The colored modules achieve around 95 percent of the output of a comparable uncoated module.

    The end of the monument protection dilemma
    Until now, building-integrated photovoltaics has often failed due to aesthetic requirements. Listed buildings and conservation areas in Switzerland and Germany in particular posed major hurdles. In several German federal states, monument protection has already been relaxed, provided that modules match the color of the building envelope. Modules can imitate brickwork or roof tiles deceptively realistically and fit in perfectly in terms of color, says Dr. Martin Heinrich, group leader at Fraunhofer ISE. An Innosuisse project at HSLU in the Viscosi town of Emmenbrücke has already produced a demo façade in 78 shades of color.

    BIPV on the verge of a breakthrough
    The market for building-integrated photovoltaics is growing rapidly. Globally, it is estimated to be worth around 85.9 billion dollars by 2034, compared to 28.3 billion in 2026. In Switzerland, the registration procedure for façade systems has simplified the approval process since this year, which has given a clear boost to demand for aesthetic façade solutions. The first commercial tandem modules with a BIPV focus are expected in 2026 for niche markets. Fraunhofer ISE estimates the total potential of PV on buildings at around 1,000 GWp by 2045.

    What was created in the laboratory in Freiburg is now being applied to roofs and façades via a Swiss partner.

  • More AI does not solve data problems

    More AI does not solve data problems

    The mistake begins with the investment
    It’s a familiar pattern: a company recognizes the potential of artificial intelligence, looks at solutions, chooses a tool – and gets started. The expectation is that the new technology will somehow solve existing data problems. The reality: It doesn’t. It makes them more visible.

    This is no coincidence. It is the consequence of a wrong sequence.

    Data is collected – but not made usable
    Data is available in most real estate companies. Property data, tenant data, operating figures, maintenance histories – they exist. The problem is not its absence, but its condition. They are scattered across systems, inconsistently maintained, inconsistently defined or simply cannot be linked to one another. There are sometimes three different versions of the same key figure – in three different systems.

    Anyone who sets up an AI model under these conditions will not get any answers. What you get is output that reinforces existing uncertainties – automatically and at high speed. AI recognizes patterns in data. If the data is inconsistent, the model learns from the inconsistency. If it is incomplete, it operates on an incomplete basis.

    A new layer of complexity
    What is created in practice is not a gain in efficiency. It is a new layer of complexity: AI outputs that nobody trusts. Departments that manually check results. Projects that come to a standstill. A lot of effort, little effect, growing frustration.

    The fatal thing is that many companies react to this with the next tool upgrade. The cycle starts all over again.

    A data hub is not a tool – it is a structure
    The solution does not lie in better models. It lies in a structural decision: the creation of a common, harmonized database. A data hub is not another system that is added to the existing IT landscape. It is the opposite – it replaces fragmentation with central availability. It integrates distributed data sources, breaks down silos and inconsistencies and creates the basis for scalable AI applications and automated reporting.

    The decisive factor is not where the data is stored. What matters is how it can be used: uniformly defined, quality-assured, accessible for different use cases. Only on this basis can AI deliver what it promises.

    Data quality is not preliminary work – it is an ongoing task
    Even with a data hub, a central challenge remains: Data quality is not a one-off cleansing project before go-live. It is a continuous process. Anyone who sees data quality as a preliminary project will realize after the launch that the real problem is only just beginning.

    The database is supplemented by a data catalog: It transparently documents which data exists, where it comes from and how reliable it is. It creates a common language that connects specialist departments and technology – and gives control back to the organization.

    In the webinar: From the database to scalable AI
    In our free webinar “The optimal AI architecture: How data hub, data quality and data catalog make the difference”, we show how real estate companies can tackle this transformation in concrete terms – from data architecture and quality assurance to the productive use of AI. With practical insights, concrete solutions and time for your questions.

    Register now for free

  • The material that thinks – without a brain

    The material that thinks – without a brain

    The material consists of a chain of identical joints connected by an elastic framework. An integrated microcontroller measures the current position, stores past states and exchanges information with neighboring elements. The overall behavior results from the interaction of many simple units. Just like simple organisms that react to their environment without a complex brain.

    Learning through repetition
    Individual joints are moved into defined positions and the remaining elements are gradually moved into a target structure. The microcontrollers adjust torques in several runs, called “epochs” in the experiment. Stiffness and interactions within the structure change. The “information” is not outsourced to software, but stored directly in the physical structure. First author Yao Du sums it up: “As soon as the system starts to learn, the possibilities of where it can develop seem almost limitless.”

    Three abilities in one
    The system masters three properties that were previously reserved for biological systems. It learns new reaction patterns to defined inputs. It stores several states simultaneously and switches between these states depending on the input. Previous work by the laboratory had already shown that such structures can move without central control. What is new is the adaptability, as the material chooses its form of movement depending on the environmental stimulus.

    Fields of application and next steps
    The research team sees the greatest potential in adaptive components that adjust to changing loads, in soft robotics without central control and in systems for unstructured environments such as exploration. From August 2026, research in Amsterdam will be expanded in collaboration with the Learning Machines group. The Dutch research agenda NWA 2026 will dedicate a separate focus to adaptive materials. In addition to technical issues, the focus will also be on control and safe use.

    The boundary between material and machine is becoming blurred
    Instead of passive materials, adaptive systems are being created whose properties actively change. In the future, time-dependent behavior and the handling of uncertain conditions, so-called stochastic scenarios, will be integrated. This increases robustness and makes the technology suitable for real application environments. Intelligence is not created through central control, but from the interaction of many simple elements.

  • Check early, fail low

    Check early, fail low

    SSbD is a holistic innovation framework of the European Union. New chemicals, materials, products and technologies should be developed from the outset in such a way that they are safe for people and the environment – throughout their entire life cycle. There is a clear principle behind this: identify risks at an early stage and correct them cheaply, instead of reacting late and expensively. The EU aptly calls it “fail early and fail cheap”.

    64 percent compliance with EU law
    As part of the EU IRISS project, Empa examined 15 key EU regulations that are relevant to European industry along the entire value chain. These include the Chemicals, Batteries and Packaging Regulation and the Waste Framework Directive. 64 percent of these regulatory requirements are already covered by the SSbD framework. “In many cases, SSbD requires precisely the data and assessments that companies will later need for regulatory compliance anyway,” explains study author Akshat Sudheshwar from Empa.

    PFAS as a cautionary example
    The risks of the so-called perpetual chemicals PFAS were recognized by the majority when they were introduced, but ignored for decades. Today, they accumulate in organisms, are not degradable in the environment and cause enormous costs. With an SSbD approach, these risks could have been addressed early on. This example shows what is at stake when companies only plan for safety and sustainability retrospectively.

    Additional effort that pays off
    SSbD increases the effort in the early development phase, as Sudheshwar also admits. Investing early avoids later costs due to product bans, remediation obligations or market adjustments. The key success criterion for companies is the ability to think about safety and sustainability together at an early stage and to build up the necessary expertise in both areas.

    Limitations and need for political action
    Reliable data, toxicological information and robust methods are still lacking. The SSbD framework explicitly recognizes this gap and is adaptable. At a political level, the study recommends incentives for companies and regulatory relief as well as patent extensions or economic benefits could make it easier to get started. In the long term, SSbD should be included more frequently in EU regulations, not necessarily as an obligation, but as a strategic orientation.

  • How digital systems are reorganizing urban development

    How digital systems are reorganizing urban development

    Modern cities must simultaneously manage transportation, energy supply, housing, infrastructure, administration and climate adaptation. This is despite a growing population and increasingly scarce resources. Smart city approaches see the city as an ecosystem in which mobility, energy, buildings, climate and governance are interlinked. Sensors, data rooms and digital platforms create transparency, provide real-time information and improve the basis for long-term decisions. The decisive factor is not the digitalization of individual silos, but the interaction of systems.

    Switzerland in the top international group
    Zurich has held a top position in the IMD Smart City Index for years and once again leads the global rankings in 2025. Geneva and Lausanne are also in the top 10, underlining the strength of the Swiss approach with high data quality, well-developed infrastructure and a strong research landscape. At the same time, medium-sized cities such as St. Gallen, Winterthur and Lugano are developing their own smart city strategies, data platforms and pilot projects. Often with a focus on mobility, administration and energy.

    International role models and different approaches
    Singapore is regarded as a reference for integrated national digital strategies in which mobility, energy, administration and health are linked via data and platforms. Copenhagen combines smart city technologies with a consistent sustainability policy and low-emission mobility, while Helsinki scores with extensive open data approaches and digital administration. Cities such as Dubai, London and Amsterdam have different priorities. From large infrastructure programs to data-driven mobility and data-ethical governance. What they have in common, however, is a clear political will and long-term strategies.

    Governance, data and federal reality
    Smart city is only partly a question of technology. Without resilient data spaces, clarified responsibilities, data protection rules and transparent decision-making processes, projects remain piecemeal. In federal Switzerland, municipalities, cities, cantons and the federal government also have to coordinate their roles. For many municipalities, Smart City therefore primarily means process modernization, cross-departmental cooperation and a new understanding of urban development. UrbanTech and PropTech combine administration, real estate management, energy and mobility systems. The closer these systems are linked, the greater the leverage for sustainable urban development.

    Technology as a means, not an end
    The most successful smart cities in the world are not characterized by the number of sensors they have, but by the way they deal with complexity. They use technology in a targeted way to improve quality of life, resilience and efficiency. They embed digital solutions in social and ecological goals. Smart City is therefore less an IT project than an urban development project in which technology remains a tool. The decisive factor is how cities use data and digital systems to make smarter, more inclusive and more sustainable decisions.

    What exactly is a smart city?
    Smart city – precisely defined:
    A smart city is a city that uses digital technologies, data and networked systems to improve quality of life, sustainability, efficiency and participation. It integrates energy, mobility, buildings, administration and the environment into a common data and organizational model and uses this information to intelligently manage services, infrastructure and urban planning.
    The decisive factor is not the technology itself, but the ability to use it responsibly, safely and purposefully in the interests of the entire population.

    Smart cities promise efficiency, sustainability and better urban services. At the same time, they harbor risks that need to be carefully addressed. The following areas are particularly critical:
    Data protection and surveillance
    Sensors, cameras, mobility data and networked infrastructures generate huge amounts of data about the population’s behavior, movements and usage. Without clear rules, this can lead to a risk of surveillance, whether by the state or the private sector.

    The power of algorithms
    When data-based systems control decisions, for example in transport, administration or energy use, there is a risk of non-transparent or difficult-to-understand processes. A lack of explainability or unverifiable models can weaken public trust.

    Democratic control
    Smart city decisions are often made at the interface between the administration, technology providers and infrastructure operators. Critics warn that important urban development decisions could increasingly be influenced by technical systems or private companies.

    Social inequality
    Digitalization is expensive. Cities with fewer resources run the risk of falling behind. A “digital divide” can also emerge within a city. Between those who can use all services and those who remain excluded. Be it for financial, technical or social reasons.

    Complexity and dependency
    The smarter a city, the more dependent it is on digital systems, platforms and external technology partners. Outages, cyberattacks or technical disruptions can have significant consequences for infrastructure, security or supply.

    Lack of standards and governance
    Without clear governance models, isolated solutions, incompatible systems and unclear responsibilities arise. This can negate efficiency gains and make long-term investments more difficult.

    International smart city gadgets that have made headlines
    Smart lamp posts, networked street lamps (Barcelona, Los Angeles, London)
    Smart lanterns with sensors for traffic, noise, weather, air quality and parking lot detection.
    They caused a stir because they are disguised as harmless infrastructure but collect large amounts of data.
    – Symbol for “visible invisible” smart city technology.

    “Quayside Project” Sidewalk Labs sensor masts (Toronto)
    Alphabet/Google planned a district with a fully sensorized environment.
    Temperature, movement, mobility, waste, energy – everything was to be measured in real time.
    – Stopped after criticism of data protection. Discussed worldwide.

    “Lampposts-as-a-Platform” (Singapore)
    Singapore equipped lampposts with cameras, microphones and IoT modules as infrastructure for autonomous driving and safety systems.
    – Internationally renowned for AI-based monitoring and efficiency.

    Smart waste bins, solar-powered waste containers (Bigbelly, New York, Berlin, Vienna)
    Compact waste, report fill levels and sometimes serve as Wi-Fi hotspots.
    – Was in the headlines because some models were able to secretly collect data (“WLAN tracking”).

    Intelligent parking spaces, sensor parking spaces (San Francisco, Amsterdam)
    Ground sensors report free parking spaces in real time.
    – Known for the SFpark project, which measurably reduced traffic.

    Autonomous delivery robots (London, Tallinn, San Francisco)
    Robots that transport food and parcels.
    – Media excitement because they are considered “new road users” on the sidewalks.

    AI-based traffic lights (Hangzhou, Tel Aviv, Los Angeles)
    Cameras and AI control traffic lights dynamically, reducing congestion times by up to 30 %.
    – The “City Brain” system from Alibaba in Hangzhou has become particularly well known.

    Drone programs for rescue and logistics (Rwanda, Dubai, Zurich)
    Drones deliver medicines, defibrillators and medical supplies.
    – Known for Zipline (Rwanda) and medical drone logistics in Switzerland.

    Smart benches with charging function and sensors (Prague, New York, Dubai)
    Solar modules charge smartphones, integrated sensors measure environmental values.
    – Viral because they combine design, energy and technology.

    Holographic citizen information and AR maps (Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai)
    Interactive AR displays for navigation, participation or administration.
    – The first prototypes were celebrated at trade fairs and shared globally.

    Sound Traffic Light, noise radar systems (Paris)
    Cameras and microphones measure vehicles that are too loud and automatically trigger fines.
    – Great media coverage due to privacy vs. noise abatement.

    Robot police and autonomous security vehicles (Dubai)
    Dubai was one of the first cities to present “Robocop”-like surveillance robots.
    – Global media topic, futuristic and controversial at the same time.

    Top 20 Smart Cities 2025 – International ranking

    1.Zurich (Switzerland)
    Outstanding combination of quality of life, digital administration, mobility and energy efficiency.

    2.Oslo (Norway)
    Leading in climate protection, autonomous mobility solutions and digital governance.

    3.Singapore (Singapore)
    Smart nation as a guiding principle of the state, fully integrated mobility & administration.

    4.Geneva (Switzerland)
    International governance, smart mobility management, high urban service quality.

    5.Copenhagen (Denmark)
    World leader in sustainable urban development and networked mobility planning.

    6.Lausanne (Switzerland)
    Strong research (EPFL), innovative urban planning, mobility and energy data spaces.

    7.Helsinki (Finland)
    Open data, digital administration and one of the highest transparency standards in the world.

    8.London (United Kingdom)
    Mobility data, AI pilot zones, sharing economy and world-leading GovTech scene.

    9.Abu Dhabi (UAE)
    Massive digitization of administration, smart mobility & automated infrastructure.

    10.Amsterdam (Netherlands)
    Pioneer in data ethics, circular economy and citizen-oriented smart city projects.

    11.Stockholm (Sweden)
    Strong IoT infrastructure, energy efficiency, digital access to public services.

    12.Seoul (South Korea)
    Smart governance, AI traffic light systems, highly connected city infrastructure.

    13.Dubai (UAE)
    One of the most technology-driven cities in the world: autonomous transportation, 3D printing, GovTech.

    14.Vienna (Austria)
    Excellent administration, smart living, social innovation and urban resilience.

    15.Barcelona (Spain)
    Urban sensor technology, mobility platforms, open data movement and civic tech.

    16.Prague (Czech Republic)
    Rise in Europe: smart mobility, digital administration, open data initiatives.

    17.Tokyo (Japan)
    Autonomous mobility, robotics, smart infrastructure on a megacity scale.

    18.Tallinn (Estonia)
    E-government world champion, blockchain-based administration, digital identity.

    19.Canberra (Australia)
    Digital administration and mobility systems at a very high level.

    20.Vancouver (Canada)
    Sustainable urban planning, smart mobility, strong tech and innovation scene.

  • Hydrogen can do a lot, but not everything

    Hydrogen can do a lot, but not everything

    The Fraunhofer ISI analyzed 774 individual statements as part of a meta-fact check and condensed them into 77 core statements. The result was not a new opinion paper, but a synthesis of the current state of knowledge. The result is nuanced, but the key points are unambiguous. Lead author Nils Bittner puts it in a nutshell: hydrogen can have an enormous impact where there are no equivalent alternatives. Where such alternatives do exist, its use costs valuable resources and time.

    The efficiency bottleneck
    The basic problem lies in physics. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis. Depending on the process, this requires around 50 to 60 kWh of electricity per kilogram. Compression, transportation and reconversion swallow up further energy. In the end, often only a fraction of the kilowatt hours originally used remain. Heat pumps and battery-powered vehicles therefore use the same electricity many times more efficiently.

    Where H₂ remains indispensable
    Nevertheless, there are areas in which hydrogen has no viable alternative. The steel industry needs it to reduce iron ore, the chemical industry as a raw material for ammonia and methanol. Aviation, shipping and heavy goods transport can hardly be directly electrified. Hydrogen is the fuel of choice here. There is also currently no comparable alternative for the seasonal long-term storage of energy over weeks and months. In Switzerland, this assessment is in line with the federal government’s hydrogen strategy, which envisages H₂ primarily for high-temperature process heat and transport sectors that are difficult to decarbonize.

    The chicken-and-egg problem is slowing down the ramp-up
    A functioning hydrogen economy requires infrastructure such as pipelines, cavern storage facilities and electrolysis plants. However, companies only invest when the supply is secured and network operators only build when there is sufficient demand. This chicken-and-egg problem is slowing down the market ramp-up considerably. The Fraunhofer ISI therefore recommends concentrating on industrial clusters instead of a nationwide network extending into residential areas.

    Imports only solve half the problem
    Germany will have to import up to 80 percent of its hydrogen requirements. Transportation over long distances usually requires conversion into ammonia or liquid hydrogen, with further energy losses. This creates new global supply chains instead of fossil dependencies. Switzerland will not become self-sufficient in hydrogen either. The cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft adopted a joint hydrogen strategy for the first time in February 2026 and calculate a demand of 0.4 to 3.4 percent of total energy requirements for 2050, concentrated on industry and heavy goods vehicles.

  • How researchers are turning concrete into a climate saver

    How researchers are turning concrete into a climate saver

    The EU project CARBCOMN, launched in 2024 and funded by Horizon Europe with around six million euros, is taking a radical approach. Instead of using more material, the researchers are optimizing the shape. The principle is called “compression dominant structures”: concrete components are designed in such a way that they are almost exclusively subjected to compression, similar to the arches of historic stone bridges. Concrete can withstand compression well, but hardly any tensile forces. If you make consistent use of this, you need less material and less reinforcement.

    Printed, not poured
    Digital production makes shapes possible that would be unthinkable with traditional formwork. The robot prints the concrete layer by layer and leaves cavities where no reinforcement is required, directly controlled by the digital model. This not only saves material, but also reduces the seismic load in proportion to the weight loss. This is a decisive advantage in earthquake-prone regions.

    No cement, no problem
    The concrete used in the CARBCOMN project contains no cement. Steel slag, a by-product of the steel industry, is used as a binding agent. After printing, the components are placed in a chamber in which CO₂ is injected. The reaction with the slag mixture hardens the concrete and permanently binds the greenhouse gas. The result is a building material with a negative CO₂ balance that is made exclusively from industrial waste.

    Metal with memory
    This concrete does not manage entirely without reinforcement, but with a specialty that Empa has been using for around 20 years: iron-based shape memory alloys (Fe-SMA). These pre-stretched metal rods contract during heating instead of expanding, thus subsequently pre-stressing the component. They are only inserted after printing, do not interfere with the automated process and can be separated from the concrete later. The Empa spin-off re-fer contributes this technology directly to the consortium.

    Built for dismantling
    What is built should also be able to be dismantled again. The individual concrete modules are designed as discrete blocks that can be detached, transported and reassembled elsewhere. Zaha Hadid Architects and Mario Cucinella Architects are working with the engineering teams to develop free-form structures that express this circular principle architecturally. By 2028, a real prototype will prove that concrete construction can also look like this.

  • Building a house from plastic waste

    Building a house from plastic waste

    Today’s PET bottle could be part of a floor beam tomorrow, as a load-bearing element. A research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is investigating how recycled plastic can be shaped into load-bearing components using large-format 3D printing. The focus is on a beam system that has been specially developed and tested for use in residential construction.

    Plastic trusses instead of wood
    The new beams look familiar at first glance, as they are based on the geometry of classic wooden trusses. A frame with diagonal struts absorbs and distributes forces, a construction method that has been tried and tested for decades. What is new is the material and production. A composite of recycled PET and glass fibres is used for printing, which provides rigidity and stabilizes the pressure behaviour. Each beam measures around 2.4 m long, around 30 cm high and a good 2.5 cm wide, weighing only around 6 kg and therefore significantly less than a comparable wooden beam. The production time is short, less than 13 minutes per component is sufficient for printing.

    Load test under practical conditions
    In order to test its suitability for everyday use, the team assembled four beams in parallel and screwed them together with a wood-based panel to form a floor frame measuring approximately 1.2 by 2.4 m, a common grid dimension in the USA. The surface was then gradually loaded with sandbags and concrete weights, while the deflection was continuously measured. Up to a load of around 140 kg, the deformation remained well below the limits permitted by US building regulations. Only when the total load exceeded 1,800 kg did the construction fail, the beams buckled and broke. This indicates that the rigidity is generally sufficient to meet the relevant requirements in residential construction.

    Lightweight, modular, quick to assemble
    In addition to the load-bearing capacity, the low weight is a key advantage of the system. The plastic beams can be transported using a pickup truck, which simplifies logistics and handling on the construction site. Assembly follows the principle of classic timber frames. The elements are screwed together on site and joined to form a load-bearing skeleton. In the long term, the concept is aimed at modular house frames in which the floor, walls and roof consist of standardized, printed components. This approach is particularly interesting for regions where wood is scarce or expensive.

    Plastic waste as a raw material for a billion houses
    The project was triggered by the enormous global demand for housing. AJ Perez from the MIT School of Engineering points out that around one billion new houses will be needed by 2050. A demand that can hardly be met with wood alone without clearing gigantic areas of forest. Instead, existing waste streams should be used. Disposable plastics such as bottles or food packaging will be given a second life as a construction product. The aim is to create components that are lighter, more durable and more sustainable than conventional alternatives.

    Costs, standards, long-term behavior
    Despite the promising results, the technology is still in its infancy. The actual costs on an industrial scale, the adaptation of standards and approval processes and the long-term behavior of the components under weathering, UV radiation and changing loads are still unclear. Nevertheless, the project opens up exciting prospects for planning, development and the construction industry. 3D-printed supporting structures made from recycled plastic could change the material mix in building construction. Provided that cost-effectiveness and durability can be convincingly demonstrated.

  • Think circular, reprint wood

    Think circular, reprint wood

    Stricter regulations on the energetic use of waste wood mean that large quantities of wood waste can no longer simply be incinerated, but can still be recycled. The “Experimental and Digital Design and Construction” department at the University of Kassel is working with Buro Happold to develop a 3D printing process that converts waste wood particles into load-bearing wall components. The project is being funded as part of the “Zukunft Bau” program of the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development.

    the focus is on a bio-based printing material made from shredded waste wood particles, which mainly originate from secondary material flows from the wood industry – i.e. from post-consumer wood. Industrial partners process the material and mix it with biogenic binders to create a paste-like mass that can be extruded with robotic support.

    lightweight components from the 3D printer
    The result is clearly different from the familiar 3D concrete printing process. The mass of wood particles and binder is applied in layers on a scale of 1:1 and forms lightweight but stable components. Flat wall structures are possible, as are freely curved geometries that can be precisely adapted in terms of construction and architecture.

    the current Rafa 2.0 project phase will run for 18 months and builds on the previous Rafa project, in which the researchers fundamentally investigated the suitability of waste wood particles for additive manufacturing. Material formulations are now being refined, the extrusion process optimized and the components tested under laboratory conditions, with the aim of achieving an end-to-end digital manufacturing process through to the full-scale prototype.

    load-bearing, fire-resistant and circular
    For the concept to work in practice, the printed elements must do more than just show shape. Load-bearing capacity, rigidity and fire protection properties that meet the requirements of interior construction are required. The project partners see an initial field of application in modular wall systems that can be easily assembled, dismantled and reused elsewhere.

    this principle fits in with circular building approaches, in which building components are not disposed of at the end of their life cycle, but are transferred to new uses. The components can be dismantled by type because no components containing harmful substances are used. This is a prerequisite for closed material cycles in timber construction.

    digital planning as a key technology
    Digital planning plays a central role. Buro Happold is responsible for computational design and structural planning and uses simulations to predict the structural behavior of the components. Geometries are optimized so that material is only used where it is structurally necessary – resource efficiency becomes a design task.

    “We turn waste into an opportunity, reclaimed wood is turned into high-performance components through digital design and additive manufacturing,” says Shibo Ren from Buro Happold, describing the approach. Away from linear consumption and towards a circular, data-based construction practice that closely interlinks robotics, engineering and design.

    practical prospects
    In the short term, the process aims to use less material and reduce emissions compared to concrete-based 3D printing technologies. In the long term, it could open up new markets for bio-based additive construction methods. Especially where low weight, deconstructability and architectural freedom are required.

    whether and how quickly the approach becomes commercially viable depends on scaling, standards and acceptance in construction practice. Technically, however, the project already shows that circular construction does not begin with recycling, but with design. Where materials, processes and life cycles are rethought.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Swiss deep tech at the CES 2026

    Swiss deep tech at the CES 2026

    BTRY presents a new class of ultra-thin solid-state lithium-ion batteries that have been developed for applications with extreme requirements in terms of height, safety and charging speed. The cells are available from a thickness of around 0.1 millimeters, can be fully charged in around one minute and function stably even at temperatures of up to around 150 degrees Celsius.

    Thanks to their all-solid-state architecture, they do not require liquid electrolytes, making them less of a fire hazard and allowing very fast charging without additional buffer capacitors. Target markets are small networked devices such as smart labels, wireless sensors, wearables and medical technology applications, where conventional batteries are often too bulky or too slow.

    Silent cooling for high-performance computers
    Ionic Wind is showcasing a Lenovo ThinkPad T14 at CES that is cooled using solid-state ionic wind technology rather than a fan. Instead of mechanical fans, electric fields generate a directed airflow that dissipates heat without moving parts and virtually silently.

    This technology turns air into an electrically controllable design parameter and opens up design scope for laptops, edge AI devices and compact electronics where conventional fans reach their limits. In addition to noise reduction, Ionic Wind promises greater reliability because it eliminates mechanical components that are prone to wear.

    Printed perovskite solar cells
    Perovskia Solar is continuing its presence at CES and showcasing inkjet-printed solar cells based on perovskite materials. The cells can be customized and integrated into a variety of electronic devices and sensors – such as small appliances, wearables or autonomous IoT sensors.

    Perovskite solar cells are characterized by high efficiency at low manufacturing costs and great design freedom. The company demonstrates how energy generation can be integrated directly into device surfaces, which reduces the load on batteries and enables new, energy-autonomous applications.

    Significance for Empa and Switzerland as a hardware location
    The joint presence of BTRY, Ionic Wind and Perovskia Solar at CES shows that Empa is not only conducting basic research, but is increasingly producing deep-tech start-ups that are scaling up in global markets. The projects address areas in which incremental improvements are reaching their limits, such as battery technology, electronic cooling and photovoltaics.

    Empa and Switzerland are thus distinguishing themselves as a location for hardware innovations that flow directly into industrial applications. The start-ups combine scientific excellence with international visibility, customer validation and global growth ambitions, shifting the focus from “research in the lab” to “products on the world stage”.

  • Mega merger with a signal effect

    Mega merger with a signal effect

    Glencore and Rio Tinto have confirmed that they are in preliminary discussions about a possible combination of “some or all” of their businesses. An all-share deal, structured as a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement in which Rio Tinto acquires all of Glencore, is considered likely in the market

    Under UK takeover law, Rio Tinto has until February 5, 2026, 5 p.m. London time, to publish a “firm intention to make an offer” or terminate discussions. This is the classic “put up or shut up” deadline. Both companies expressly emphasize that there is no certainty that a formal offer or even a deal will be made

    Possible deal structure and strategic logic
    A mega-merger with a combined enterprise value of well over 200 billion US dollars is being discussed. It would create one of the largest mining and commodities groups in the world with over 200,000 employees. The spectrum ranges from a full takeover to partial transactions, for example with a focus on Glencore’s copper mines and other energy transition metals

    The sticking point is Glencore’s coal business and its extensive trading portfolio. Rio Tinto has exited the coal business and is unlikely to have much interest in a permanent return. Scenarios range from a temporary takeover followed by a spin-off to a deal in which only selected assets such as copper are integrated into Rio Tinto

    Copper as a driver
    Strategically, the focus is on access to raw materials for decarbonization and digitalization. Both groups have significant copper reserves. Together, they would become a dominant supplier of a metal that is indispensable for grid expansion, e-mobility, renewable energies and energy-intensive data centers

    Analysts point out that copper demand could increase by around 50 percent by 2040, while supply lags behind at times. An environment that rewards size, capital strength and pipeline depth. A merger would further drive consolidation in the global mining sector and strengthen the market power of a few heavyweights

    Significance for Zug and Switzerland as a commodities center
    Glencore, headquartered in Baar, is one of the most important commodities groups and taxpayers in Switzerland, with around 1000 employees working in the Zug area. In the event of a share deal, the group would probably be integrated into a global Rio Tinto structure, but details of the headquarters, listing, governance and functions in Zug are still open

  • Majority stake drives growth in the Peruvian market

    Majority stake drives growth in the Peruvian market

    The Zug-based building materials company Holcim has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Peruvian building materials company CementosPacasmayo. With this transaction, Holcim is strengthening its presence in the growth market of Latin America and pursuing its NextGen Growth Strategy 2030, according to the press release.

    Cementos Pacasmayo is forecasting net sales of USD 630 million and an EBITDA margin of 28 per cent in 2025. The transaction volume of USD 1.5 billion thus corresponds to 8.8 times the EBITDA forecast for 2025. The acquisition is expected to have a positive impact on earnings per share (EPS) and free cash flow in the first year and on return on investment (ROIC) in the third year.

    “The synergetic acquisition of Cementos Pacasmayo is in line with our ‘NextGen Growth 2030’ strategy to accelerate growth in the attractive Latin America region,” Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic is quoted as saying. “This is an opportunity to continue the exceptional legacy of Cementos Pacasmayo, based on a strong performance culture, a deep commitment to its employees and a highly recognised brand in Peru. The company is highly cash-generative and has a complementary portfolio of building materials and construction solutions. I look forward to welcoming Pacasmayo’s 2,000 employees to Holcim and continuing to grow together.”

    The approximately 300 points of sale of Cementos Pacasmayo will complement Holcim’s presence in Latin America. Holcim had already entered the Peruvian building materials market last year with the acquisitions of Comacsa, Mixercon and Compañía Minera Luren.

    The transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2026, is in line with Holcim’s growth-oriented capital allocation and is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

  • Expansion of the recycling of building materials in Europe

    Expansion of the recycling of building materials in Europe

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

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

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

  • Hot concrete from Pompeii

    Hot concrete from Pompeii

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    All the world’s buildings in a 3D model

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

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

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

  • Circular building with reeds

    Circular building with reeds

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

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

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

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

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

  • Expansion of growth markets through regional production

    Expansion of growth markets through regional production

    Sika intends to grow further in the Middle East. With this in mind, the specialty chemicals company for the construction and industrial sectors has acquired the Saudi Arabian company Gulf Seal. It manufactures bitumen waterproofing membranes in the capital Riyadh. According to a press release, this offering optimally complements Sika’s sealing technologies already available in the region.

    According to the Saudi company Gulf Seal, which was founded 20 years ago, it works with the “most modern French technology”, which is sourced from its sister company Axter France. This makes Gulf Seal the only certified manufacturer of waterproof bitumen membranes in the Middle East with European CE certification.

    Sika expects Gulf Seal’s production plant and the established export channels to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to significantly strengthen its own market position in these growth markets. In Saudi Arabia itself, this acquisition strengthens Sika’s ability to deliver major construction projects related to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the 2034 FIFA World Cup and ongoing urbanization.

    “Gulf Seal’s established market position and local production capabilities, combined with Sika’s broad product range and global expertise, offer exciting opportunities for further growth in the GKR region,” said Christoph Ganz, Sika’s Regional Manager EMEA. “We look forward to welcoming the Gulf Seal team to the Sika family.”

  • Video technology improves occupational safety on construction sites

    Video technology improves occupational safety on construction sites

    Zurich North America and Zurich Resilience Solutions (ZRS), the risk manager of insurer Zurich, will require the use of Arrowsight technology on all Zurich-insured construction completion projects in New York City. Arrowsight, based in Katonah, New York, focuses on video-based behavior modification and coaching analytics to improve jobsite safety and reduce workplace accidents.

    The background to the collaboration announced in a press release is a three-year pilot program in which Arrowsight video analysis and coaching was applied to eight major construction projects and one complex civil engineering project. Compared to twelve construction projects on which the safety technologies were not used, the Arrowsight work resulted in 50 percent fewer workplace accident reports.

    “Increasing worker safety while reducing risk and potential fraud with our cost-effective video equipment is a milestone for the industry. The reduction in the frequency and cost of claims is a direct result of compliance with workplace safety regulations – from 70 percent before the introduction of Arrowsight to 97 to 100 percent after using our technology,” Adam Aronson, founder and CEO of Arrowsight, is quoted in the press release. “We have been working with Zurich and Arrowsight on a major project in New York City since 2024 and are very pleased with how few claims we have had so far,” says Deborah Broom, VP Risk Management at Tutor Perini Corp, a participating construction company.

    Arrowsight will operate throughout the US as the exclusive provider of camera-based construction site technology for Zurich North America. Zurich Resilience Solutions will be the exclusive risk management service provider for Arrowsight.

  • Satellites create new transparency

    Satellites create new transparency

    The CO2M satellite mission represents a turning point in the detection of greenhouse gases. The originally planned two satellites were extended by a third satellite following Empa simulations. This shortens the global measurement period from five to around 3.5 days. Instead of narrow measurement strips, the instruments will in future provide comprehensive maps with a resolution of two kilometers. This will make emissions from individual countries, cities and industrial sources visible. The mission is anchored in the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation program and is being developed by ESA and later operated by EUMETSAT.

    Nitrogen dioxide data reveals inaccuracies
    At the same time, the CORSO project is creating a global data set of large emitters such as power plants, cement works and steel factories. Comparisons of databases with TROPOMI satellite measurements show significant deviations. Plants that do not even exist, missing entries and incorrect assumptions about fuels. In the case of dual-fuel power plants in particular, it was shown that in many places gas is primarily used instead of oil, which results in lower nitrogen oxide levels. These findings form the basis for mapping CO2 with comparable precision in the future.

    Perspective on global climate progress
    The new measuring instruments expand the possibility of monitoring man-made emissions precisely and continuously. Air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides can already be reliably quantified today. With the CO2M satellites, this capability will be transferred to greenhouse gases. This creates a data-based view from space that shows in detail whether international climate targets are actually being achieved.

  • Engineering highlight and architectural vision in Barcelona

    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.

  • Stronger than steel, lighter than wood

    Stronger than steel, lighter than wood

    The idea is based on a targeted modification of the microstructure of wood. The natural main components remain the starting point. Cellulose, which provides tensile strength as a fibrous support structure, and lignin, which holds the fibers together as a natural adhesive. During the manufacturing process, some of the lignin is chemically removed, allowing the cellulose to be pressed tightly together. The result is an extremely compact, fiber-oriented material with a high density and comparatively low weight.

    Tests show that Superwood is around twelve times stronger than untreated wood and can even achieve a higher tensile strength than steel in certain combinations. At the same time, the material remains biodegradable and is based on a renewable raw material. A rare balancing act between performance and sustainability.

    Applications in the construction industry
    Superwood could become a game changer for the construction sector. Its combination of lightness, load-bearing capacity and environmentally friendly origin makes it interesting for load-bearing structures, façade systems or modular lightweight construction elements. The material can be processed like wood, but is more resistant to moisture and deformation.

    Inventwood is working with construction and architecture partners on pilot projects, for example for prefabricated wall systems or hybrid wood-concrete constructions. Researchers also see great potential in the infrastructure sector, for example for bridges, roofs or transportable buildings.

    On the road to industrial use
    The path from laboratory to mass production was a long one. The subsequent spin-off Inventwood turned it into a marketable product. The decisive factor was the scalability of the process, which can now be applied to large wooden elements.

    The company sees Superwood as a sustainable alternative to emission-intensive materials such as steel, aluminum or concrete. Production requires less energy and the bound CO₂ remains stored in the material. Superwood could therefore contribute to the decarbonization of the construction industry.

    Wood as a high-tech material
    The industrialization of Superwood closes the circle between traditional building materials and modern material science. Ordinary wood becomes a high-performance material that redefines itself in terms of stability and sustainability.

    If the material becomes available on a larger scale, it could fundamentally change international timber construction – from urban high-rise buildings to modular infrastructures. The future of construction, it seems, will remain made of wood – only smarter.

  • Five mobility trends are driving the real estate industry

    Five mobility trends are driving the real estate industry

    Parking was a marginal topic for a long time. Today, it is seen as the key to optimizing the value of properties. This is because outdoor spaces, once pure infrastructure, are becoming strategic earnings factors thanks to digital technology. “Parking space is no longer a necessary evil, but an integral part of the value chain,” says Jakob Bodenmüller, CEO of Wemolo. His company operates over 3,500 locations across Europe with 2.5 million parking transactions every day and sees an industry that is reinventing itself.

    1.Free-flow technology, the farewell to the barrier
    Cameras instead of barriers with license plate recognition enable parking management without physical barriers, ticket loss or maintenance costs. User vehicles are digitally identified and authorized users park automatically. This reduces operating costs by up to 60 percent while improving the customer experience.

    Mixed-use districts benefit in particular. Retailers, service providers and residents can manage spaces as required, for example on a time-limited or quota-based basis. Third-party parkers are automatically recognized and sanctioned. According to Wemolo, their share drops by up to 85 percent within the first few months.

    2.Shared parking – new sources of revenue through cooperation
    What is a supermarket during the day can become a residential area at night. Shared parking uses free time slots in private spaces and opens them up to third parties in a controlled manner. Supermarkets, office buildings or retail parks can generate additional revenue of up to 80 euros per parking space per month without any structural investment.

    The model is a liberating blow for cities. Around a third of inner-city traffic is caused by the search for a parking space. If private parking space can be managed digitally, traffic volumes can be reduced and space efficiency increased. “We orchestrate instead of opening up and control always remains with the operator,” emphasizes Dominic Winkler

    3.E-mobility as a business model
    Charging points are not only a regulatory obligation, but also a revenue driver. Those who charge stay longer, a measurable advantage for retailers. Studies show that every additional minute of charging extends the length of stay and increases sales by over one percent.

    By linking e-mobility and smart parking, charging infrastructure can be dynamically controlled, priced or offered as a premium service. Integration into the parking management system significantly reduces costs and at the same time boosts the ESG performance of a property.

    4.Parking Intelligence uses data as a management tool
    Parking data becomes corporate intelligence. Automatically recorded key figures provide information on occupancy, dwell time, customer frequency and seasonal patterns. Facility and asset managers can use this information to adapt rental models, optimize personnel planning or develop targeted marketing strategies.

    For the first time, Parking Intelligence creates a data-based foundation for location decisions. This turns parking space into a mirror of actual asset performance, making it measurable, comparable and controllable.

    5.AI space monitoring, from parking space to portfolio sensor
    The next stage of digitalization lies above the asphalt. 360-degree cameras and AI analytics monitor outdoor areas in real time, detect garbage, vandalism or snow and automatically report service tickets to facility managers.

    This drastically reduces monitoring costs, maintenance contracts are evaluated objectively and standards can be managed centrally. This is a particular advantage for portfolios with hundreds of locations. The first operators are already testing how monitoring data can also be used to optimize locations.

    Parking space as a new asset
    The future of the real estate industry no longer lies just in buildings, but in front of them. Expo Real 2025 showed that thinking digitally about parking space changes the business model of a property.

    “The challenge is not to be aware of trends, but to implement them,” says Bodenmüller. Parking management is becoming the interface between mobility, ESG and value creation. A dynamic market in which standing still is finally a thing of the past.

  • Windows as power stations

    Windows as power stations

    One solution relies on special films that direct visible light specifically to the edge of the glass pane. There, PV strips, often made of high-performance material such as GaAs, absorb the light and convert it into electricity. Solar cells are only needed at the edge, which saves material and resources. The view is retained and the window remains transparent.

    Using cholesteric liquid crystals, a research team at Nanjing University has developed a prototype that achieves an optical efficiency of over 18% and delivers stable values under real conditions. For a typical window with a height of two meters, there is a strong concentration of light at the edge zone. The coating can be produced industrially and is suitable for large façades.

    Transparent tandem cells
    The EU project CitySolar presents another innovation. Two combined PV layers (halide perovskite at the top, organic at the bottom) extract energy from different light spectra while allowing visible light to pass through. This means that the room brightness and view remain unchanged, the window “looks like a window” but produces electricity.

    With an efficiency of 12.3% and 30% transparency, a new record has been set for transparent PV modules. The structure is suitable for office and residential buildings as well as high-rise buildings with large glass fronts.

    Future and potential
    Researchers and industry partners are working on even higher efficiencies and better production methods. Challenges exist in balancing transparency and efficiency and in integrating them into existing construction processes. However, projects such as those from ZEISS or the international CitySolar consortium clearly show how great the market potential is.

    Transparent solar cells and intelligent glass surfaces are paving the way for buildings that partially cover their own electricity requirements. Windows as power plants are within reach and will play a decisive role in shaping the energy transition in urban areas.

  • Fraunhofer ISE Testlab sets standard for inverters

    Fraunhofer ISE Testlab sets standard for inverters

    With the increasing expansion of renewable energies, the rotating masses of conventional power plants, which previously ensured a stable voltage and frequency, are no longer present in the grid. Grid-forming inverters must take over this task and reliably stabilize the grid even in critical situations such as frequency changes or short circuits. Until now, however, there has been a lack of a uniform definition and standardized verification procedures for these systems.

    GFM Benchmark test procedure
    In the GFM Benchmark project, Fraunhofer ISE invited leading manufacturers to test their devices in the laboratory. Seven companies provided inverters with different outputs and development statuses. The test procedure was developed together with German transmission grid operators and simulates various grid situations. In addition to normal operation, it also includes extreme situations such as phase jumps and short circuits in the grid.

    While many devices react similarly under clearly defined requirements, there are still clear differences under more complex conditions. The ISE team was therefore able to provide manufacturers with valuable tips for optimization and highlighted the need for further development.

    Paving the way for standardization and market integration
    The project results have been directly incorporated into European standardization work and the VDE FNN note “Grid-forming properties”. For the first time, the new test guideline provides a recognized framework for the practical testing and certification of grid-forming systems. This is particularly relevant as a new market for instantaneous reserve will be launched in Germany from 2026, in which battery storage systems with suitable certification, for example, will receive additional revenue opportunities.

    Market maturity, best practice and industry dialog
    The market analysis and test data provide a solid basis for decision-making for manufacturers, grid operators, investors and standards bodies. The certification measurements that are now possible will accelerate the market entry of new, stabilizing inverters. In addition, Fraunhofer ISE supports the transfer of European requirements into national regulations and supports the industry with best practice guidelines.

    Fraunhofer ISE has set a milestone with the test procedure for grid-forming inverters. This will not only make the energy transition in Europe safer, but also measurably faster.

  • New silicon acids could destroy “eternal chemicals”

    New silicon acids could destroy “eternal chemicals”

    Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, PFAS for short, are considered “eternal chemicals” as they do not degrade in the environment. Their highly stable carbon-fluorine bond resists light, water and microorganisms. This is precisely where the newly developed super Lewis acids come in. They exhibit extreme “electron greed” and directly attack the resistant structures of PFAS.

    Complex production with a big impact
    For a long time, these compounds were only considered a theoretical concept. Only innovative methods such as protolysis made it possible to produce them synthetically. Proven processes from carbon chemistry were transferred to silicon. The experiments were highly sensitive. They had to be carried out in an inert gas atmosphere, as even the slightest traces of oxygen or water would prevent the reactions.

    Quantum mechanics provides the key
    For the first time, the strength of these molecules was fully predicted using quantum mechanics. These calculations not only confirmed the extreme reactivity, but also enabled a precise understanding of the mechanisms. Spectroscopic methods such as NMR validated the predictions. The combination of theory and experiment is therefore a milestone in catalysis research.

    Catalysts for environmental protection
    The new super Lewis acids behave like catalysts. They change during the reaction, but regenerate again and are not permanently consumed. This means that the smallest quantities are sufficient to render highly toxic PFAS compounds harmless… A decisive advantage over previous approaches.

    With silicon-based super Lewis acids, a realistic solution to the global PFAS problem is within reach for the first time. They could become a key instrument for recycling, green chemistry and the protection of the environment and health.

  • Nuclear waste as a resource for the energy transition

    Nuclear waste as a resource for the energy transition

    Nuclear power polarizes! While some countries are phasing it out, elsewhere it remains a central pillar of the energy supply. However, they all have one problem in common – radioactive waste. Thousands of tons of highly radioactive materials are already stored around the world and their safe storage costs billions. Now, however, an idea is coming to the fore that could turn this waste into a valuable raw material.

    Tritium is the key to nuclear fusion
    Nuclear fusion is seen as the beacon of hope for the future of energy. In contrast to nuclear fission, it does not rely on decay, but on the fusion of atomic nuclei. Similar to the sun. Using deuterium and tritium as fuel, huge amounts of energy can be generated with virtually no climate-damaging emissions and significantly less waste. While deuterium is readily available, tritium remains extremely scarce. Only around 25 kilograms currently exist worldwide, too little for widespread use in energy production.

    Nuclear waste as a source for the fuel of the future
    This is where Terence Tarnowsky’s research at Los Alamos National Laboratory comes in. Radioactive waste from existing nuclear power plants could be used to produce relevant quantities of tritium. This would address two challenges at the same time. The safe and expensive storage of nuclear waste and the availability of the missing fuel for future fusion power plants. The market price for tritium is currently around 15 million dollars per pound, a clear indication of its scarcity and value.

    Opportunities for the energy transition
    The vision is clear. If waste becomes a fuel of the future, the cards in global energy policy could be reshuffled. Fusion power plants fueled by tritium from recycled nuclear waste could provide enormous amounts of energy in a climate-neutral and safe way. This would be a milestone for the energy transition, which could secure the growing demand for electricity from electromobility, the heating transition and digitalization in the long term.

    Research at the turning point
    The path to large-scale use is still open. Technical, economic and security policy issues need to be clarified. However, the direction shows how science and technology can transform seemingly contaminated sites into opportunities for the future. Nuclear waste, of all things, a symbol of unresolved energy problems, could thus become a mainstay of the energy transition.