The term “building type E” stands for straightforward, pragmatic construction with reduced standards. This is enshrined in law in Germany and is possible in Switzerland as long as the minimum legal requirements such as fire protection and statics are met. Obstacles do not arise from paragraphs, but from excessive comfort requirements, a lack of expertise on the part of the authorities and pressure from investors.
Conversion instead of new build as a lever The current regulations reach their limits, particularly in existing buildings. Conversions are often assessed according to the standards of a new building, which drives up costs and hurdles. Beat Flach, lawyer, National Councillor and SIA legal consultant, calls for more proportionality. Conversions should be treated more pragmatically, including when it comes to energy requirements. This would allow new, more affordable apartments to be built more quickly and save CO₂ at the same time.
Standards as an opportunity, not a shackle SIA standards are not a rigid corset, but allow for alternative approaches. Planners can also achieve goals in other ways or define them through agreements. It is crucial that architects, engineers and authorities recognize and make use of this leeway. The fear of objections and dependence on third-party guidelines are currently leading to unnecessary bureaucracy and rising construction costs.
Reforms for building permits The procedures are considered overly complex. Flach advocates a two-stage approval process. First a simplified examination of the central issues with the possibility of objection, followed by detailed clarification. This would give investors security, speed up the construction process and reduce costs.
“Simple construction” does not mean less quality, but more courage to find pragmatic solutions. The key lies in conversion, in more flexible standards and in clear political guidelines. Only when planners, authorities and politicians pull together can construction become faster, cheaper and more sustainable.
The current tower was put into operation together with Dock A in 1985 and has reached the end of its service life after almost 40 years. The new tower is being built to the north of the existing site and will provide air traffic controllers with an optimized overview of ground and air traffic. Functionality, sustainability and workplace quality will be raised to a new level.
Part of a major project The construction of the new tower is closely linked to the replacement construction of Dock A. Both projects were submitted by Flughafen Zürich AG 2023 and examined in a joint procedure. While the tower has now been approved in a partial decision, the process for the new Dock A is still ongoing. Until its completion, the tower will initially be operated as an independent building.
Focus on sustainability The project is being led by architects Bjarke Ingels Group and is based on a construction method using wood as the main material. The roof of the new dock will be fully equipped with photovoltaics and is expected to cover up to two thirds of the electricity requirements. With an investment volume of around 700 million Swiss francs, the new Dock A replacement building is one of the most important infrastructure projects of the coming years.
Objections and outlook Several objections to the project have been received, including from affected municipalities. According to DETEC, however, the construction itself will not lead to additional aircraft noise. On the contrary, emissions in the surrounding area could even decrease. Construction of the tower is scheduled to start in 2027 and the new Dock A is not expected to open before 2030. A third of all passengers at Zurich Airport use Dock A, so its renewal is seen as central to airport operations in the future.
With the new tower and Dock A, Zurich Airport is focusing on a sustainable and functional infrastructure that meets the increasing demands of air traffic and environmental protection. The project combines high-tech air traffic control with modern building culture, a strong signal for the future of Swiss air traffic.
Porphyrins are central building blocks of nature. They form the basis for haemoglobin in the blood or chlorophyll in plants. In combination with metal centers, they acquire versatile chemical and physical properties. Empa researchers have now used this principle to specifically dock porphyrins to a graphene nanoribbon with zigzag edges. The binding was carried out with the utmost precision and forms a kind of molecular chain with precisely defined distances.
Magnetism meets quantum logic The graphene ribbon has its own edge magnetism, while the metal centers of the porphyrins contribute conventional magnetism. Both systems have been successfully coupled, a decisive step for quantum technological applications. The hybrid material could function as a series of networked qubits in which spins are used as information carriers.
Electronics and optics in one system The porphyrins are not only magnetically active, but also optically effective. They can emit light, the wavelength of which is influenced by the magnetic state. A kind of molecular light chain that transmits information through color changes. Conversely, the system can be excited by light, which changes the conductivity and magnetism of the graphene ribbon. This opens up a wide range of applications from chemical sensors to innovative electronic components.
Building blocks for the future The synthesis of these structures requires complex processes. Under ultra-high vacuum and at high temperatures, the precisely designed starting molecules are “baked” on a gold surface to form the chains. Supported by the Werner Siemens Foundation, the Empa team is now working on developing even more versatile systems by varying the metal centers and graphene widths. The aim is to create designer materials that form the basis for future quantum technologies.
The combination of porphyrins and graphene opens up a new class of molecular systems. It combines chemistry, magnetism and optics in nanoscale structures and lays the foundation for the electronics and quantum technology of tomorrow.
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.
While existing rents remain stable or even fall over the years, asking rents are rising sharply. A study by Zürcher Kantonalbank shows that anyone who moved into an apartment in the canton of Zurich in 2008 pays an average of 3.3 percent less today. New tenants, on the other hand, have to pay over 33 percent more. This so-called “stay bonus” means that moving is financially unattractive for many.
Lock-in effect paralyzes use of living space The result is a distorted use of living space. Family apartments remain in place even after the children have moved out, and rooms in shared flats are not reallocated. The lock-in effect keeps older generations in apartments that are too large, while young families can hardly find adequate living space. Large cities are particularly affected, where regulations further exacerbate the effect.
Consequences for society and the economy The stagnation of the rental market has far-reaching consequences. Younger households can hardly find larger apartments to start a family, while the older generation lives in oversized living spaces. At the same time, the problem hits low-income households particularly hard. If they were to move, a significant proportion of this group would have to pay more than 40 percent of their income on rent.
Solutions required This could be remedied by increased construction activity, tax incentives for moving to smaller apartments and innovative housing and financing models. At municipal level, flexible framework conditions are needed to expand the supply. It is also crucial to design regulations in such a way that they do not unintentionally reinforce the lock-in effect and thus harm the very groups that are supposed to be protected.
The lock-in effect is a recent but increasingly dominant phenomenon in the rental market. It leads to inefficient use of living space, social imbalance and a loss of dynamism. Only with more new construction, creative market models and targeted political incentives can the blockade be broken and the housing market get moving again.
Dormakaba has launched a new soft-closing system for doors. The global locking technology company from Rümlang has launched IST Home, a system that enables doors in the home to be opened and closed smoothly and allows barrier-free passage, according to a press release. A similar soft-closing system is already known from drawers and kitchen furniture.
With IST Home, the level of damping can be adjusted via a valve. To open the door, gentle pressure is sufficient to overcome an initial resistance. The door also closes gently without the door leaf hitting. The IST Home system can be fully integrated into the door for frames and full-leaf doors with a thickness of at least 40 millimetres and a maximum weight of up to 100 kilograms. This means that no components are visible from the outside. According to the company, the new system is durable and maintenance-free.
Sympheny has reached a milestone on its journey as a partner of Californian company ESRI and its Swiss branch in Zurich: Sympheny, which was founded in 2020 and is based in Technopark Winterthur, has officially completed ESRI’s three-year start-up programme.
The “invaluable support, resources and opportunities” received during this time have made it possible to integrate the global company’s geodata technology into its own solutions for energy systems. “From optimising urban energy planning to improving spatial decision making, the ESRI ecosystem has been instrumental in driving our innovation,” Sympheny said.
Sympheny offers digital twin-based services for energy planners and managers to enable them to achieve their sustainability goals “with minimum cost and maximum confidence,” the start-up said in a self-promotion. “Digital twin algorithms = intelligent services.” To this end, Sympheny provides its subscription-based SaaS platform on which they can develop, manage and continuously use their digital twin of the energy system.
In the next phase, the partnership between Sympheny and ESRI will be deepened with new joint projects. Sympheny is also “proud to have ESRI as an observer in our GOES project“. GOES is an EU Horizon 2020 project in which innovative geodata solutions for energy planning are being researched. It is coordinated by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology(Empa) in Dübendorf ZH and comprises eight partners from five EU countries and the USA.
According to the press release, Sympheny is also looking forward to further collaboration with the Urban ArcGIS team, ESRI’s web-based 3D solution for urban planning projects. Sympheny is particularly keen to promote the topic of energy.
Die Trendwelt Innenausbau in Halle 1.2 bleibt auch am Samstag geöffnet. Tobias Hofmeier begrüsst Ausstellerinnen und Fachpublikum als neuer Messeleiter. Aussteller der Swissbau 2026 erhalten in diesen Wochen ihren Platzierungsvorschlag. Keine einfache Aufgabe für die Messeverantwortlichen – gibt es doch sehr viel Neues an der nächsten Ausgabe. Das Team der Swissbau hat die beliebte Mehrbranchenmesse mit neuen Ideen gespickt, um grosse und kleine Marken für eine Teilnahme zu begeistern.
Treffpunkt Handwerk mit «Swissness» In Halle 1.0 bietet ein lebendiger Treffpunkt für das Handwerk dem vielfältigen Wirtschaftszweig eine starke Lobby. Highlight der 2500 Quadratmeter grossen Fläche ist der Bau eines doppelstöckigen Holzhauses und einer modernen Stahlhalle von verschiedenen, parallel arbeitenden Gewerken. Zum Austausch und Fachsimpeln bietet die BauBeiz ausreichend Platz. Berufsstolz steht hier hoch im Kurs, genau wie auf den spielerischen Aktionsflächen daneben.
Neue Kooperationen für mehr Vielfalt Nicht nur in Halle 1.1 führt eine neugeborene Kooperation mit dem Schweizerischen Maler- und Gipserunternehmer-Verband SMGV zu verschiedenen Inszenierungen. Live-Demos, Trainings, Veranstaltungen sowie Ausstellung und Auszeichnung des renommierten «Schweizer Preis für Putz und Farbe» mobilisieren die kreative Branche und bieten Herstellern ein attraktives Umfeld zur Produktpräsentation.
Eine neue Plattform für den Innenausbau Die grösste Veränderung betrifft die designorientierte Trendwelt, die von Halle 2.2 in die modernere Halle 1.2 umzieht. Messeleiter Rudolf Pfander erzählt: «Die Trendwelt Bad wird auf den Innenausbau erweitert. Aussteller profitieren von einem hochwertigen Ambiente sowie neuen Synergien der Bereiche Bad, Boden/Wand/Decke, Licht, Büro- und Objekteinrichtung auf einer gemeinsamen Ebene.» Ein zusätzlicher Vorteil: Nur die Trendwelt hat am Samstag für unter der Woche ausgelastete Fachbesucher sowie private Eigentümerinnen und Bauherren geöffnet.
Swissbau unter neuer Führung Seit 25 Jahren leitet Rudolf Pfander die Geschicke der Swissbau und führte sie erfolgreich in die Neuzeit. Um nach der Ausgabe 2026 neue Aufgaben bei MCH Exhibitions & Events zu übernehmen, übergibt er bereits diesen September die Nachfolge an seinen Stellvertreter Tobias Hofmeier. Der 36jährige Lörracher lenkt seit 2020 das Swissbau Projektmanagement sowie die erfolgreiche Entwicklung der Kollaborations-Plattformen Swissbau Focus und Lab.
Breites Angebot an Präsenzen Vom Individualstand über die All-In-Theke bis zur Neuheiten-Demonstration im Swissbau Lab: Wer an der Swissbau 2026 präsent sein möchte, kann aus einer Vielzahl an Teilnahmemöglichkeiten wählen. Tobias Hofmeier und sein Team freuen sich über jede Kontaktaufnahme. Er präzisiert: «Unsere Kunden können sicher sein, dass wir ihre Bedürfnisse an erste Stelle setzen und gemeinsam eine passende Präsenzmöglichkeit finden».
Unterstrichen wird die anhaltende Relevanz der Swissbau durch namhafte Partnerschaften. Der Schweizerische Ingenieur- und Architektenverein SIA, die Schweizer Marke LAUFEN sowie der neue Partner Abacus Business Solutions engagieren sich an der Swissbau 2026 in grossem Umfang und bringen ihre Expertisen ein.
Swissbau 2026 – die führende Plattform der Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft in der Schweiz
Messedauer, Öffnungszeiten 20.- 23./24. Januar 2026 Dienstag bis Freitag, 9 bis 18 Uhr Samstag Zusatztag Innenausbau in Halle 1.2, 9 bis 16 Uhr
Lista Office Group AG, based in Degersheim, has received a Red Dot Award 2025. The modular LO Summit desk and table series from its Lista Office LO brand was honoured with the award for product design. According to the jury’s statement, LO Summit “impresses with its versatility, elegance and intelligent design. The well thought-out accessories and formal versatility are also appealing.”
Thanks to the large selection of materials, table shapes and base designs, LO Summit is suitable as a conference table and team workstation. This allows the customer a high degree of individuality for stylish meeting and exchange zones. Cable ducts and integrated cable guides ensure that everything is organised under the tables. The products can be extended with accessories such as clip-on privacy screens, electrical boxes, table lamps or raised shelves.
“With the Red Dot Design Award 2025, the expert jury is honouring an overall concept of design quality and a high level of focus on needs and benefits,” said Claudia Ceotto, Product Manager at Lista Office LO, in a press release. “LO Summit impressively demonstrates that the essence of future-proof office furniture design lies in modularity, agility and realisation quality.”
The Red Dot Award is one of the most prestigious international design competitions. in 2025, entries were reportedly received from over 60 different countries. They were assessed by an independent jury of 43 experts from 21 nations and various fields of activity such as design, media, education and consulting.
According to a press release, the Dietiker construction company Walo Bertschinger AG is contributing its many years of experience in track construction in the municipality of Speicher. Construction work is underway there to remodel the railway station. Walo is carrying out the track and points work to optimise the track systems for smooth rail traffic. According to the information provided, Walo is helping “to ensure that railway lines remain sustainable, safe and reliable so that the mobility of today and tomorrow is guaranteed”.
The construction work is expected to last until mid-September 2025 and will include the creation of comfortable and barrier-free platforms, new surfaces and drainage systems for greater safety and durability. The lighting and equipment are also to be modernised for a pleasant station experience.
The municipality of Speicher in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden is pursuing plans for greater sustainability. These include the increased use of renewable energies, energy-efficient construction and environmentally friendly mobility. The railway station renovation is also one of the sustainability projects in Speicher. The municipality is endeavouring to equip it with LED lighting, ecological materials and barrier-free access. The aim is to create a climate-friendly and modern public transport system.
The Swiss Transit Lab(STL) from Schaffhausen, the cantons of Zurich and Aargau and SBB have started the mapping phase of the intelligent automated mobility (iamo) pilot project. With the creation of a digital map of the region, the use of self-driving vehicles in the Furttal is being prepared, according to a press release. Before the service can be used in the Furttal, a training phase and a test phase will be carried out following the mapping.
As part of the project, the project partners want to make automated vehicles available to travellers and find out how this could further develop public transport in the future. Two electric cars equipped with WeRide technology are now on the road in the Furttal valley for the first time. However, these are still being driven by a driver for the time being.
During the mapping phase, the roads in the pilot area are now being travelled manually. The vehicle sensors record the surroundings and create a digital map that will contain more information than a classic navigation map. In addition to real-time images, the map will provide the basis for the safe navigation of self-driving vehicles in the future. As soon as this phase has been completed and the exceptional authorisation for automated driving has been granted by the Federal Roads Office(FEDRO), the training and test phase will follow. The vehicles will learn the traffic rules and typical situations in the pilot area and then drive automatically, initially under the supervision of a safety driver.
The public launch of the vehicles is scheduled for the first half of 2026. Up to four passenger cars can then be ordered for a fee via an app and take passengers from a defined stop to another stop in the pilot region. Various measures are intended to ensure data protection and data security. The fleet is also to be expanded to include minibuses in future.
Under the theme Feed the city, students from the Institute of Architecture at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland(FHNW) have spent a year examining the issue of sustainable food supplies. They developed concepts for setting up a food factory on the Rosental Mitte site in Basel, Immobilien Basel-Stadt reported in a press release. The cantonal contact for property management wants to transform the former company site into a district for living, working, research, leisure and sport.
According to the FHNW students, the eight-storey former dye packaging warehouse in Rosental Mitte is the ideal location for a food factory. The “robust structure with its large spans, high ceilings and high load-bearing capacity” is “very suitable for new utilisation ideas”, they write in the press release. Building 1055, which is worth preserving, could also “serve as a meeting point in the neighbourhood and at the same time impart knowledge about food production”.
The planned Food Factory in the centre of Basel is intended to visualise the entire food cycle, from production to processing and consumption through to waste recycling. To this end, the students have developed concepts for production and distribution and investigated interfaces with catering and research. The potential of new foods such as algae has also been taken into consideration.
The building stock plays a key role in reducing emissions and closing the winter electricity gap. Energy modernization measures such as better insulation or the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps are key levers for achieving energy and climate targets. However, without targeted incentives, the necessary momentum to trigger investments on a large scale is lacking.
Criticism of the imputed rental value bill The bill to be voted on on September 28 not only provides for the abolition of the imputed rental value, but also the elimination of deductions for building maintenance and energy-related investments. Bauenschweiz warns that this threatens to put a stop to renovations, with serious consequences for local SMEs in the construction and crafts sector and for climate protection. Instead of creating incentives, such a system change would prevent renovations, weaken the trade and place a burden on SMEs.
Study shows enormous efficiency potential A recent study by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and FLUMROC illustrates just how great the opportunities are. A combination of heat pumps and an optimized building envelope could reduce electricity consumption in Switzerland by 5.3 terawatt hours per year. This could cover almost ten percent of total consumption and practically close the winter electricity gap.
Switzerland is at a turning point in its energy policy. Instead of creating barriers to investment, we need framework conditions that promote energy-efficient renovations, strengthen the construction industry and fully exploit the contribution of the building stock to the climate transition.
Studies show that in cities such as Bern, there are dozens of hectares of what is known as “distance green”. Lawns with no function that are merely mowed. These areas are a previously unused asset. They could store rainwater, cool the urban climate and create habitats for diverse species. Instead of being viewed in isolation, they need to be understood as an interconnected ecosystem.
Planning beyond plot boundaries Climate change and biodiversity do not stop at plot boundaries. Nevertheless, the competence of property owners is limited to their plots. To realize the potential of urban green spaces for climate resilience and biodiversity, we need political guidelines, cooperative action and new professions that professionally maintain and develop urban green spaces. A systemic approach to urban development is essential.
Landscape architecture with a claim to leadership Architecture shapes urban development with grand gestures, but the robustness and sustainability of urban systems lies in open spaces. This is where landscape architecture has its strength. It can create resilient, ecological structures with minimal resources. This requires more self-confidence in the discipline and a willingness to take a leading role in urban development.
Education for the future In order to meet the growing demand for landscape architects, new training paths are needed. A Bachelor’s degree course at Bern University of Applied Sciences could close this gap and test innovative teaching models. Central content would be systemic approaches that combine ecological, social and spatial factors and translate them into sustainable concepts.
The green space between buildings is not superfluous. It is the ecological capital of the future. Those who see it as an integral part of urban planning will create resilient, liveable cities that can withstand the challenges of climate and biodiversity.
After a solid start to the year with growth of 0.8%, the momentum of the Swiss economy slowed significantly in spring 2025. According to the flash estimate published by Seco on Friday, GDP rose by just 0.1% in the second quarter. This confirms the impression of a cooling economy, which is in line with expectations but well below the start of the year.
Industry weakens The main reason for the meagre growth was a negative development in industry, which was characterized by falling demand and global uncertainty. By contrast, the service sector proved to be a stabilizing factor. It was able to partially compensate for the declines in industry and thus prevented zero growth. Consumer-related services and the finance and insurance sector in particular performed robustly.
Pharmaceutical exports fueled the first quarter The clear contrast to the start of the year illustrates the volatility of the Swiss economy. An extraordinary special effect boosted the economy in the first quarter. The uncertainties surrounding possible US tariffs led to exports, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, being brought forward to the USA before new regulations came into force. This pull-forward effect contributed significantly to the 0.8% increase at the time, but has now disappeared.
Disagreement among economists The current trend is in line with forecasts, but experts’ assessments differed widely in advance. The economists surveyed by the news agency AWP ranged from a slight decline of 0.3% to growth of 0.3%. The increase of 0.1% now reported is therefore exactly in the middle of expectations.
Methodology and outlook The published figures are based on a quick estimate (“flash GDP”), which is published around 45 days after the end of the quarter. Seco combines early production data with forecasts in order to provide an initial indication of the economic trend. As incomplete basic data is still used, the values may change in the regular publication. The official estimate, including detailed analyses on the production, use and income side, will be published on August 28, 2025.
A comprehensive revision of the national accounts is also due later in the year. The revised GDP data from 1980 to the second quarter of 2025 will be published on September 29, 2025.
The Swiss economy is virtually treading water in spring 2025. While industry continues to struggle with difficult conditions, the robust service sector is preventing a slide into stagnation. The coming months will show whether the economy will stabilize or whether further braking effects will dampen development. International trade relations, the development of interest rates and global demand will remain decisive factors.
The construction industry is highly dependent on stable political and economic conditions. The Swiss Federation of Master Builders therefore emphasizes the importance of the adopted negotiating mandate with the European Union. Orderly relations with the EU are a basic prerequisite for Switzerland as a business location, the association emphasizes. At the same time, it makes it clear that wage protection is not an obstacle in the upcoming negotiations.
ISAB as a digital core instrument The Information System Alliance Construction (ISAB) has been in use since 2019. A digital enforcement tool that ensures wage protection throughout the construction industry. The system combines three central components such as the ISAB portal, the joint CLA certificate and the ISAB Card.
ISAB is used to digitally check and monitor compliance with generally binding collective employment agreements. According to the SBC, the joint inspection alone carries out around 16,000 construction site inspections with ISAB every year. More than in almost any other sector. This means that wage and employee protection in the construction industry is particularly tightly meshed.
Clear stance towards trade unions The SBC rejects the expansion of accompanying measures, as demanded by the trade unions. The current Posted Workers Act already offers a tried and tested instrument that prevents abusive undercutting of wage and working conditions. As this law is in line with the European Posting of Workers Directive, the association does not expect any resistance from the EU.
Responsibility of building owners The SBC emphasizes that building owners, especially large public clients, bear a central responsibility. By consistently relying on the use of digital tools such as ISAB, they make a decisive contribution to combating undeclared work and ensuring fair working conditions. This sends out an important signal, especially in the current European political context.
Expensesregulation as an open question While the SBC believes that wage protection is secured, the association still sees a need for clarification regarding the EU expenses regulation. The association is calling for an expenses regulation based on the place of performance principle, i.e. according to Swiss standards. This is the only way to prevent foreign companies from gaining an unjustified competitive advantage over Swiss providers through lower expense rates.
The SBC sees the adopted negotiating mandate as an opportunity to put relations between Switzerland and the EU on a stable footing. With the digital enforcement instrument ISAB, wage protection is guaranteed. A further expansion of the accompanying measures is not necessary. It is now crucial that clients assume their responsibility and implement digital solutions across the board. The association is calling for a clear solution in favor of fair competition when it comes to expense regulations.
The housing shortage in Switzerland continues to worsen. Although construction activity has increased slightly compared to previous years, the pace is not sufficient to meet the rising demand. Forecasts show that only 42,000 new apartments will be built in 2025, around 20 percent less than would be necessary to ensure a stable supply. In view of strong immigration, growing domestic demand and low vacancy rates in urban regions, this will lead to noticeably rising rents and growing pressure on the housing market.
BWO study reveals problems On July 1, 2025, the Federal Office for Housing published a comprehensive study on the causes of long planning and approval procedures and the increasing number of objections. The results clearly show that the procedures are often too complex, too lengthy and prone to delays due to objections, which are not always in the public interest. At the same time, the study also shows that there are ways to speed up procedures without undermining environmental or monument protection. It thus confirms what the SBC has been emphasizing for years: the bottlenecks in residential construction cannot be resolved without legal adjustments.
SBCcalls for decisive action The SBC sees the results of the BWO study as a clear mandate for politicians. Now is the time to tackle reforms consistently and thus trigger investment. Developers and investors need planning and legal certainty in order to implement projects and bring urgently needed living space onto the market. “Time is of the essence. We must act now to stem the housing shortage,” says the association.
Specifically, the SBC is advocating the following measures
1. Faster planning and approval procedures Acceleration and streamlining of processes at cantonal and municipal level. Restriction of objections to vested interests worthy of protection. Curbing abusive objections, for example through procedural costs or liability for damages in the event of delays.
2. Adapted spatial planning principles Increasing the utilization figures, for example by adding additional storeys. Reduction of boundary distances in order to use existing areas more efficiently. Creation of additional mixed zones for living and working in order to promote lively neighborhoods.
3. Fair balancing of interests between residential construction and monument protection Balanced weighting of housing requirements and protection interests. Direct application of ISOS (inventory of Swiss sites worthy of protection) only in federal procedures directly related to the protection of the townscape. Early clarification of the trade-off between monument protection and densification in the structure plan and in building and zoning regulations.
Political support available There are various initiatives in the national parliament that address precisely these points. They enjoy broad support across party lines. The SBC therefore calls for this work to be quickly translated into concrete legislative changes. This is the only way to simplify procedures, eliminate legal uncertainties and resolve blockages.
Housing construction as a task for society as a whole The creation of sufficient living space is not just a task for the construction industry, but a challenge for society as a whole. Cities and municipalities need reliable instruments to meet demand without losing valuable time in lengthy procedures. At the same time, it is important to maintain a balance between high-density construction, ecological requirements and the protection of local landscapes.
The BWO study gets to the heart of the matter. Switzerland needs structural reforms so that living space can be created more quickly again. The SBC welcomes the clear findings and calls for politicians and the administration to take responsibility now. Without reforms, the housing shortage threatens to increase further in the coming years, with all the negative consequences for tenants, families and the competitiveness of Switzerland as a business location.
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.
Switzerland is topographically diverse, from inner-city construction sites to alpine locations and large-scale infrastructure projects. Standardized measures therefore fall short. While earlier working hours are made possible in certain municipalities, other projects rely on mobile shading systems or adapted break regulations. The decisive factor is the adaptation to the respective region, the environment and the project type.
Shared responsibility of the building owner Walz emphasizes that it is not only the task of construction companies to provide heat protection. Building owners and project authors can also implement effective measures through forward-looking planning and tendering. In doing so, they take responsibility for occupational safety and prevent discussions about additional costs. “If you address the issue at an early stage, you create clarity and commitment for everyone involved,” says Walz.
Cooperation at all levels Close coordination between site management, foremen and employees is a key factor. Although employers have a legal duty to ensure health and safety, employees also have a role to play. They must actively use protective measures, seek out shady areas and use the aids provided. The Ordinance on Accident Prevention (VUV, Art. 11) obliges all parties to implement these measures.
Legal framework and challenges Employers are already legally obliged to implement protective measures. Support is provided by Suva and SBV guidelines. Nevertheless, there are structural problems. If the work rhythm is adjusted due to a heatwave, delays occur that are not always covered by work contracts. The provisions of SIA standard 118, which provide for deadline extensions in the event of weather-related interruptions, are often waived. As a result, the risks end up with the construction companies and their employees. A practice that the SBC clearly criticizes.
Round table sends out signals In order to develop viable solutions, the SBC joined forces with trade unions, client representatives such as KBOB, SBB, Astra and IPB as well as authorities and Suva at the “Heat Round Table”. In mid-May 2025, a consultative decision was taken to enshrine heat protection in the Construction Site Ordinance (BauAV), in KBOB and IPB recommendations and in the SIA 118 contract standard. This means that building owners and social partners are committed to taking health protection into account on a binding basis. It is now up to politicians to send a clear signal in the same direction.
Heat protection on construction sites is not just a matter for the boss; it requires the shared responsibility of all those involved, from the client, companies, site managers and employees. Only if everyone pulls together can the growing risks posed by rising temperatures be managed effectively. In times of climate change, heat protection is thus becoming an integral part of modern building culture and a decisive factor for occupational safety and fair framework conditions.
The recent wildfires in Southern California have devastated thousands of hectares of land and destroyed over 16,000 buildings. This is exactly where Cosmic’s microfactory in Pacific Palisades comes in. It produces modular wall panels with millimeter precision, which are delivered and assembled directly to the construction site. This reduces the construction time by up to 70 percent. By 2027, 100 new houses are to be built that are fireproof, energy-efficient and self-sufficient in terms of water supply.
Technology as a driver of construction The core of the solution is the combination of ABB’s IRB 6710 industrial robot, the RobotStudio® digital twin software and Cosmic’s AI-supported Building Information Model (BIM). This allows construction processes to be fully digitally simulated, optimized and monitored in real time. Computer vision systems continuously analyze production, detect errors and ensure consistent quality. By integrating robotics, automation and AI, the entire process, from approvals to production and assembly, is bundled into one end-to-end platform.
Sustainability and cost reduction The benefits are not just speed and precision. Houses from the microfactory are fireproof, equipped with solar panels and battery storage and are self-sufficient in water thanks to recycling systems. The price is between 550 and 700 dollars per square meter, well below the usual costs in Los Angeles of 800 to 1,000 dollars. At the same time, material waste is decreasing while construction quality is increasing. For many homeowners who struggle with underinsurance and high reconstruction costs after disasters, this means real relief.
Growth potential in the construction industry Experts predict that the global market for construction robots will grow by 20 percent annually until 2030. The cooperation between ABB and Cosmic demonstrates how this dynamic can be implemented in an automated, local, sustainable and cost-efficient manner. This not only opens up a new path for disaster relief, but also a model for future residential construction worldwide.
Restemöbel has completed a major interior fit-out project for the photovoltaic company Planeco, headquartered in Münchenstein BL, in the Alte Papieri Arlesheim. In collaboration with the Basel-based construction office in situ, restemöbel has, according to its press release, turned leftover material into high-quality furniture on a large scale for the first time.
Among other things, restemöbel has planned and manufactured lockers that consist of 100 per cent residual material, apart from the fittings. The company utilises waste that is generated during production in joineries and various ancillary trades in the Lörrach area and is usually thrown away or incinerated.
“To change this, we invented restemöbel in the summer of 2019: small, fine furniture that is made almost exclusively from leftover materials,” says the company in its self-presentation. “In this way, we are trying to do something about wasting resources and energy and at the same time make the world a little more beautiful.”
Restemöbel is currently still a project by Florian Oeschger from Basel and Markus Schier, who is based on the German side of the Rhine in Rheinweiler. It is supported by Oe Moebel GmbH, based in Basel, as well as the Florian Oeschger furniture workshop and Markus Schier wood workshop in Rheinfelden, Germany. The two, who have been partners since 2022, have announced that they plan to rebrand restemöbel in Basel in the near future.
The Baden Cantonal Hospital(KSB) is working with the Greenpower crane from Obwalden-based company rollende Werkstatt Kran AG for the renovation of its decommissioned ward block. According to a press release, it is the first tower crane in the world that can generate its own electricity.
Depending on the operating situation, the crane can reduce electricity consumption by up to 50 per cent. It can also be operated with a smaller mains connection, which means lower installation costs and allows the crane to be used in locations with limited power capacity.
This is made possible by the design with an integrated energy recovery system and battery storage. “When lowering loads or braking the crane functions, electrical energy is generated, stored and reused for subsequent work steps,” it says.
With Greenpower, the manufacturer is focussing on the sustainable further development of crane use. “The system is a response to increasing requirements in terms of energy efficiency and grid availability on construction sites,” says Hansheini Dillier, Managing Director of rollende Werkstatt Kran AG.
According to the press release, the device is used to remove building materials. They contain asbestos, PCBs, PAHs and heavy metals and date back to the construction period in the 1970s. At that time, materials were used for work on tiles and floor coverings, among other things, that are now considered harmful to health or the environment, according to KSB. Strict precautionary measures therefore apply to construction sites on old buildings in accordance with the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund and the Federal Office of Public Health.
Dismantling of the building can only begin once the pollutants and contaminated sites have been properly disposed of. According to KSB CEO Pascal Cotrotzo, the demolition application is not yet legally binding. The remediation work is running independently of this and should be completed in spring 2026. Until then, the company is hoping for the “green light” from the relevant authorities.
Bieri Tenta AG from Grosswangen has replaced the old awning at the outdoor pool on the River Aare in Solothurn with a new mechanically tensioned membrane roof. According to a press release, the original awning could no longer be repaired due to its age. The awning installed by Bieri was constructed using modern technology and is intended to provide a permanent and safe shade solution for the playground.
According to Bieri, it was no longer possible to simply re-tension the structure due to the original technical design. The existing awning was a textile supporting structure without static documentation. As part of a preliminary project, Bieri developed a new solution, taking into account current standards and recalculating the statics. The new mechanically tensioned membrane roof is a reconstruction of the original shape with modern detailed solutions and fulfils all safety requirements. The temporary winter support is also still part of the concept and has been adapted to the new structure.
The membrane roof is characterised by its textile construction and now provides sufficient shade for the outdoor pool playground. The outdoor pool is a popular meeting place, especially on hot summer days, and is still being modernised today.
Colliers Switzerland has found tenants for the development in the Wartstrasse 2 shopping street in Winterthur. As the commercial property service provider announced in a press release, the Augenarztpraxis am Bahnhof, an architecture firm and the Ecap language school will move into the office property directly next to the railway station.
Christine Hürzeler and Hans-Georg Geiger offer a full range of diagnostic and preventive examinations for the early detection of eye diseases at the ophthalmological practice at the railway station.
The Ecap language school has been in existence since 1970, initially focussing on courses in metal and mechanical engineering professions to qualify skilled workers for industrial companies. Today, the focus is on further training for migrants.
The office property at Wartstrasse 2 was created as part of the redesign of Rudolfstrasse and the new subway at the rear of the railway station. The municipal project aims to revitalise the neighbourhood streets and strengthen the character of the centre. The rental properties were offered in shell form. They extend over an area of 1860 square metres and five storeys. The smallest unit measures 62 square metres, while the largest offers 366 square metres of office and practice space.
As part of the European Heritage Days 2025 on 11 and 13 September, the ZurichMonument Preservation Office and City Archaeology will be presenting Zurich’s architectural heritage. According to a press release from the city, Zurich’s heritage preservation authorities will open the Heritage Days on 11 September in the new Brunnenhof school building and music centre and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Heritage Year with Katrin Gügler, Director of the Office for Urban Development, and Head of Building Andre Odermatt. The vernissage of the publication “erhalten&umnutzen” will follow in the evening, with a panel discussion and musical accompaniment from the Zurich Music Conservatory (MKZ).
In addition, on 13 September, the Zurich Department for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and the City Archaeology Department are jointly organising numerous guided tours focusing on the stories of Zurich’s architectural monuments. Conversions, restorations, finds and findings will be discussed. Both events on 11 and 13 September are free of charge. Prior registration is required for participation in the guided tours on 13 September
The European Heritage Days, which in 2025 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Year of Monuments and Sites 1975, will this year be dedicated to the topic of architectural history.
Favourable financing costs are continuing to drive demand for residential property in the canton of Zurich, Zürcher Kantonalbank reports in a press release. According to its surveys for the ZHK Real Estate Barometer in Q2 2025, prices for owner-occupied homes in the canton of Zurich were 4 per cent higher in the quarter under review than in the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time, prices in Zurich’s agglomeration municipalities and the city of Winterthur (Regio region) rose even more sharply by 4.3 per cent. The experts at ZKB expect the trend towards rising prices to continue over the next two years due to the ongoing excess demand.
The cantonal bank’s experts have identified “signs of an easing” in asking rents in the first half of 2025. After growth rates of over 10 per cent in some cases in the last two years, they are currently observing an increase of less than 4 per cent. However, even with declining population growth, current construction activity is not sufficient to reduce the excess demand.
However, tenants in the canton of Zurich could benefit more than average compared to the rest of Switzerland from the latest reduction in the base rate in June. Following a fall in the reference interest rate to 1.5 per cent in March, the experts at ZKB expect a further reduction to 1.25 per cent by the end of the year. This means that around 70 per cent of rental households in the canton of Zurich could request a rent reduction. Across Switzerland, this applies to 46 per cent of rental households.
Mobimo Holding AG can look back on a strong first half of 2025. Specifically, the Lucerne-based real estate company increased its operating result at EBIT level including revaluations from CHF 83.3 million to CHF 144.5 million year-on-year, Mobimo announced in a press release. At the same time, net profit including revaluations rose from CHF 65.6 million to CHF 109.7 million.
The company cites success from developments and sales promotion as the drivers of this positive development. This increased to CHF 24.9 million compared to the same period of the previous year, almost doubling the figure. Revaluations resulted in a net appreciation of CHF 71.6 million in Mobimo’s property portfolio. At CHF 72.6 million, rental income remained at the previous year’s level.
The value of the property portfolio totalled CHF 3.9 billion as at the end of June, compared with CHF 3.8 billion at the end of 2024. Mobimo’s total assets also exceeded the CHF 4 billion threshold for the first time. In June, the company was included in theSTOXX Europe 600 index of the 600 largest European companies.
Mobimo intends to utilise its solid financing situation for “a substantial external growth step”: On 7 August, the real estate company signed the contract for the purchase of the portfolio of EMWE Immobilien AG from Zurich. It consists of five residential properties with an annual rental income of around CHF 3 million and three residential properties under construction.
Anyone who owns or plans to own property is familiar with many of the challenges of the market, such as preventing vacancies and setting rents in line with the market without ignoring supply and demand. This is precisely where Migros Bank comes in with its unique advisory approach, which combines economic foresight, market data and individual solutions – for owners who want more than just mortgages, but customised advice tailored to their property. The advisory approach consists of various modules that can be worked on independently of each other with the customer, depending on the situation.
Together with CSL Immobilien AG, a partner of Migros Bank, a comprehensive range of services is offered that covers the entire property life cycle. Customers benefit from property development services and professional property management. This offering is rounded off by in-depth research and market analyses of the Swiss property market, enabling owners to make informed decisions together with Migros Bank.
Comprehensive analysis tools for customised and well-founded decisions The property dialogue allows market values, purchase prices, net rental income, yields and vacancy rates to be compared with CSL Immobilien AG’s market data. This makes it possible to assess the positioning of the customer portfolio. It is suitable for office, commercial and residential property. Analysing residential properties at the residential unit level helps to check and manage the performance of the property. The residential units are compared with the market data and analysed for size, price and opportunities. This means that the positioning of projects can be determined with customers at an early stage, existing properties can be checked for market requirements and standards and reasons for vacancies can be identified.
Analysing interest rate trends: outlook for future mortgage costs Anyone buying a house or a condominium must also take a look into the future. Mortgage interest rates are comparatively favourable today – but what will they be in ten years’ time? Will the property still be affordable with the expected income? With the interest rate development analysis, the mortgage portfolio can be simulated 10 years into the future with various defined interest rate scenarios. These estimated interest costs can be used to directly compare possible hedging strategies, such as redeeming a mortgage or taking out a follow-up product. This enables owners to restructure their portfolio and adapt it to market expectations.
Sustainability as the key to increasing property value For owners of older properties in particular, sustainability is an important issue that has a direct impact on the value of the property. The sustainability analysis shows the advantages of renovating properties on a sustainable basis. The CO2 emissions, energy costs and energy requirements of a property are determined and a modernisation plan is drawn up to show which refurbishment measures have a positive impact on these values. Correctly timed refurbishments are crucial to maintaining or even increasing the value of a property over its entire life cycle. It is advisable to seek expert advice before starting a refurbishment project in order to find the best and most cost-effective solutions. Refurbishment issues are challenging – especially when it comes to alternative energies. In the case of particularly old properties, it is also necessary to decide whether refurbishment is worthwhile or whether it would be better to build a new building. This decision depends on various factors, including the condition of the building, financial resources and personal preferences. In any case, it is important to have a long-term refurbishment strategy that helps to reduce costs and extend the life of the building.
A strong partnership with synergies Migros Bank works closely with CSL-Immobilien. Both companies are operationally independent. Through this strategic partnership, CSL Real Estate benefits from nationwide expansion and access to new markets, while Migros Bank can expand its property offering in a targeted manner. Together, they cover the entire property life cycle with an extended range of services – from financing to client advice and marketing. The collaboration also creates significant synergies, particularly in the areas of consulting and financing. One concrete result is the joint development of the digital estate agent service Nextkey, which makes property sales efficient and customer-friendly. This creates a holistic offering that supports customers in all phases of the home ownership process.
Comprehensive support for property owners Anyone who owns or is planning a property today needs more than just a financing solution. What is needed is a partner who has the entire life cycle of a property in mind. With its advisory approach, Migros Bank is positioning itself precisely in this field – as a holistic partner, not just a mortgage lender. In collaboration with CSL-Immobilien, it offers customised solutions for owners who want to develop their properties sustainably, profitably and with a view to the future. Whether market value analyses, sustainability, returns or interest rate trends: individual issues are addressed competently and with foresight using modular tools and sound market data from practice. This not only improves the quality of customers’ decisions, but also the value and future viability of their property. Migros Bank thus stands for a new kind of property advice – networked, collaborative and far-sighted.
“Anyone who owns or is planning a property today needs more than just a financing solution. What you need is a partner who has the entire life cycle of a property in mind.”
“Anyone buying a house or a condominium must also look to the future. Mortgage interest rates are comparatively favourable today – but what will they be in ten years’ time?”
According to surveys by Moneypark and Pricehubble, single-family homes increased in price by an average of 3.4 percent nationwide, while condominiums rose by 2.4 percent. Year-on-year, this corresponds to an increase of 7.4 percent for houses and 4.2 percent for apartments. The regional picture is varied. House prices rose by 3.6% in French-speaking Switzerland and by 3.2% in German-speaking Switzerland. Condominiums rose in price similarly in both parts of the country, with Western Switzerland slightly ahead in a year-on-year comparison.
Medium-term mortgages in vogue When it comes to financing, buyers increasingly prefer medium-term mortgages with terms of five to nine years. At the same time, Saron mortgages are gaining in popularity. Particularly in German-speaking Switzerland, where they account for 19 percent of new contracts. In French-speaking Switzerland, this figure is 7 percent. For first mortgages, the Saron share is around 10 percent, for second mortgages over 20 percent. This financing solution offers buyers flexibility and allows them to benefit from the current low prime rate.
Banks expand market share The rising demand for Saron mortgages is also having an impact on market distribution. Banks were able to increase their share to 67%, an increase of 12 percentage points compared to the first half of the previous year. Insurance companies, on the other hand, lost significant ground, with their market share falling to 19 percent. Pension funds increased and now hold a 14% market share, but are not benefiting from the Saron mortgage business, which is offered exclusively by banks.
Outlook With persistently high demand, limited supply and a growing preference for flexible financing models, the upward trend in residential property prices is likely to continue in the coming quarters. At the same time, the development of interest rates will be decisive in determining whether Saron mortgages can continue their upward trend.
Located between Bellinzona and Locarno, the Magadino plain has been heavily influenced by infrastructure development for decades. Planned projects, from the modernization of the rail network to the reorganization of the power supply, require close coordination in order to minimize the impact on the valuable landscape. A working group headed by the ARE and involving federal offices, the canton of Ticino and Swissgrid has drawn up binding guidelines for this.
Bundled infrastructure instead of individual projects One key result is the decision to relocate the All’Acqua-Vallemaggia-Magadino high-voltage overhead line underground in the moorland area. The Magadino substation will be reduced in size as part of a renovation project. For the double-track expansion of the railroad between Contone and Tenero, SBB is examining options for bundling with new power lines. The planned rail link for the direct connection of the Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels, which crosses the Magadino plain, is also part of the overarching planning.
Road project integrated into the overall strategy The federal government has been responsible for the heavily congested A13 between Bellinzona-Sud and Locarno since 2020. The new route will be integrated into the sectoral transport plan and closely coordinated with the other projects. At the same time, a strategic review is being carried out as part of the “Transport ’45” study.
Model for sustainable spatial planning The approach in the Magadino Plain is considered a prime example of how national infrastructure goals and nature conservation can be reconciled. The close coordination of energy, rail and road construction projects is intended to minimize interventions, exploit synergies and protect the unique landscape in the long term.
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