immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Regions

  • Roche site development Basel

    Roche site development Basel

    The first development phase of the Roche site was completed at the end of 2023, and now a new stage follows. One of Europe’s most important research infrastructures will be built on the north site by 2030. The core project is Building 12, a 72-metre-high research and development building with space for around 450 researchers. The new building will replace the outdated infrastructure and create optimal conditions for developing novel active ingredients from basic research to production maturity. With an investment volume of around 500 million Swiss francs, Building 12 will become the central interface between research and clinical development.

    At the same time, the Institute of Human Biology in Building 92 will be expanded into a new center for biological model research. Around 100 million francs are being invested in the modernization and conversion. The aim is to link academic and industrial research in order to make complex human cell models usable for drug development.

    Production is also undergoing a fundamental overhaul. State-of-the-art facilities for the development and commercialization of synthetically produced active ingredients will be built in buildings 50 and 51 by 2028. A new era of pharmaceutical process innovation will be ushered in here with a modular design, digital control and high energy efficiency. The investment framework for these projects is around CHF 570 million.

    Sustainable urban development on the south site
    Parallel to the research on the north side, Roche is pursuing a long-term sustainable development strategy on the south site. The site on the Rhine is being redesigned in close consultation with Basel politicians. The revised development plan provides for generous green spaces, ecological networking along the banks of the Rhine and integration into Solitude Park. Old building structures will be gradually dismantled and building materials reused according to the principle of the circular economy.

    The Canton of Basel-Stadt is actively supporting this process. The cantonal government and the Grand Council support the approach of upgrading the southern area in terms of urban development without providing for public thoroughfares or expropriation. This means that the site will remain within the company’s own control, but will be opened up in the future through landscaping connections and new open space concepts.

    Signal for Switzerland as a business location
    Since 2015, Roche has invested around eight billion Swiss francs in its Swiss sites and over 33 billion in national research and development. In Basel alone, further facilities for research, production and infrastructure will be built by 2029, including a new underground heating and cooling center to ensure security of supply for the entire site. The construction work on the north and south sites is emblematic of sustainable, resource-conserving site development that combines business, the city and science.

    The next few years will be characterized by intensive construction phases, urban planning coordination and technological innovations. With the ongoing development of the site, Roche is not only strengthening Basel as a pharmaceutical location, but is also sending out a strong signal of its long-term commitment to Switzerland as a place for cutting-edge research, sustainable architecture and shaping the urban future.

  • Nidwalden pools its blue light forces

    Nidwalden pools its blue light forces

    The 33,000 square meter site on Kreuzstrasse is now completely built over. Many of the buildings are in need of considerable renovation, including the cantonal police and prison buildings. In addition, there are operational deficiencies such as a lack of escape routes or inadequate separation between public and staff entrances.

    On the basis of a broad-based investigation, the cantonal government has decided to completely reorganize the site and build new replacement buildings. The aim is to create a modern security competence center that improves functional processes, increases security and is more economical in the long term than selective renovations.

    Bundled blue-light organizations
    The site is currently home to the police, prison, road safety center, road inspectorate, justice department and public prosecutor’s office. Due to the central location, the possibility of relocating additional emergency services, in particular the fire department and ambulance service, to Kreuzstrasse is being examined. The aim is to create a location with short distances, coordinated processes and clear responsibilities.

    Test planning has shown that this bundling on the existing site is realistic. It confirms that the spatial requirements of the current uses and additional organizations can be implemented on the site without obstructing the site’s development potential.

    Prison with a view to future needs
    The future direction of the cantonal prison was also analyzed in depth as part of the test planning. The demand for prison places in Switzerland is high, particularly for inmates in need of care in the penal system. Against this background, Nidwalden is examining how the new prison facilities should be dimensioned and functionally aligned in order to meet demand in the long term.

    Design plan and indicative project
    The District Council has approved a planning credit of CHF 1.63 million for the design plan and indicative project. The planning will be continued with a clearly defined group of users – the cantonal police, rescue service, fire department, justice department, public prosecutor’s office, prison, road inspectorate, road safety center and selected administrative units.

    The design plan is intended to create the legally binding framework for the next planning steps. It specifies which uses are permitted where, how development, open spaces and urban planning are to be designed and which stages are possible.

    Adjustments to the process and open sub-projects
    Several planning teams were initially involved in the study commission for the design plan and indicative project. In the course of 2025, however, it became apparent that the development with a moderate expansion of the existing traffic circle would not be sufficient in view of new traffic forecasts. At the same time, a new option for the road safety center came into play. Obwalden is planning a new building in Sarnen and synergies of a shared location with test halls and test tracks are being examined.

    In order to be able to react more flexibly to these changes, it was decided to terminate the study contract in its previous form and to continue working on the indicative project with just one planning team. In October 2025, the District Council also requested more planning certainty, particularly for the two sub-projects “Road Safety Center” and “Prison”, before the design plan and indicative project are definitively completed.

    Next steps and timetable
    The design plan will cover the three local municipalities of Stans, Buochs and Oberdorf. The corresponding municipal assemblies or ballots for decision-making are currently scheduled for 2027.

    The first loan applications for architectural competitions for individual buildings of the security competence center are expected from 2028 at the earliest. Until then, it will be a matter of clarifying the unresolved issues relating to development, the prison layout and the traffic safety center.

  • Mobile networks must receive emergency power

    Mobile networks must receive emergency power

    The Federal Council is tightening the requirements for the reliability of mobile networks. In future, operators will have to install an emergency power supply at key locations and antennas that will maintain operations for at least four hours in the event of power outages.

    The focus is on the safety of the population. Emergency calls, traditional telephony and Internet access should continue to function even if the regular power grid fails. This also explicitly includes radio programs that are broadcast via the Internet as an information channel in crisis situations.

    Staggering until 2034
    The new requirements do not apply to all services equally or immediately. From 2031, emergency calls must be possible for at least four hours. Other mobile services, such as general data traffic, will only have to be secured over this period from 2034.

    In order not to overload the networks in a shortage situation, operators will also be given clear room for maneuver. They will be allowed to restrict the transmission of videos and TV programs in order to secure capacity for priority services such as emergency calls, voice connections and central information services.

    Compromise after criticism from the industry
    The Federal Council originally planned much stricter requirements. The mobile networks should have remained stable even in the event of power outages lasting up to three days and repeated shutdowns. Telecommunications companies and trade associations criticized these requirements in the consultation process as hardly feasible and too costly.

    In a moderated dialog led by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, mobile network operators and the administration agreed on the solution that has now been adopted. It increases the level of protection of the networks without overburdening the industry with maximum scenarios and is in line with what other European countries are also demanding.

    Examination of further hardening
    The partial revision of the Telecommunications Services Ordinance is not the end of the discussion on security of supply. In a second stage, the responsible department is examining the extent to which further hardening of the grids is realistically feasible for scenarios such as power shortages or outages lasting several days.

    Several federal departments are working together on this, including Economic Affairs, Education and Research as well as Defense, Civil Protection and Sport. By the end of 2027 at the latest, it should be clear whether and how additional measures are necessary to ensure that Switzerland is provided with the most reliable mobile services possible, even in extraordinary situations.

  • Improve quality, streamline processes

    Improve quality, streamline processes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • More living space from the system

    More living space from the system

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Choice of materials to combat the urban heat

    Choice of materials to combat the urban heat

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Startups that are turning construction upside down

    Startups that are turning construction upside down

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • New Center for Social Sciences

    New Center for Social Sciences

    The Alte Gewerbeschule, once built in the German Neo-Renaissance style, will remain architecturally and culturally significant following its extensive renovation. The Canton of Basel-Stadt is investing around 63 million francs in the renovation, which is based on strict monument protection regulations and current standards for accessibility and energy efficiency. Specialist departments and general planners are working closely with the cantonal monument preservation authorities to preserve the façade, interior and historical details.

    With the renovation, eight university departments, the dean’s office and central services will be concentrated at Petersplatz, which will strengthen academic dialog and the use of shared resources. The UVB Social Sciences will have a new, modern library in the inner courtyard and attractive learning and working areas on the mezzanine floor. This will create a university center for the humanities and cultural sciences with a high quality of stay and optimal infrastructure.

    Refurbishment under the banner of sustainability
    Construction work began in November 2025 and will last until summer 2029. The building will be modernized in terms of energy efficiency, made earthquake-proof and contaminated sites will be removed. The new interior design combines functionality and monument protection. Characteristic building elements will be restored and the technical infrastructure and flexibility of use will be brought up to the level of a modern campus. It is being carried out under the leadership of the cantonal monument preservation authorities and specialized architects, accompanied by federal expert committees, in order to ensure maximum protection of the historical substance.

    The Alte Gewerbeschule Basel will be an innovative bridge between academic excellence and historical identity. A strong signal for the future of urban learning.

  • Klybeckquai and Westquai as a hinge between the city and the future

    Klybeckquai and Westquai as a hinge between the city and the future

    Klybeckquai and Westquai have been among the most vibrant places in Switzerland for over a hundred years. This is where the city meets the port, the Rhine, the river Wiese and three countries. The ongoing modernization of the port infrastructure, in particular the relocation of the port railroad to the Südquai, opens the door to the urban transformation of this striking urban area. This will create unique opportunities for the Klybeck and Kleinhüningen districts. They are gradually moving closer to the Rhine and the River Wiese and gaining in quality of life and amenity. Urban growth, social diversity and sustainable integration.

    At the heart of the new development concept is the consistent expansion of the Klybeck district towards the Rhine. The plans include a variety of affordable apartments, neighborhood-friendly uses and spacious perimeter block developments that strengthen the urban climate with green courtyards. The striking neighborhood park, which will develop from the Ackermätteli, and an extended, widened Rhine promenade will connect the neighborhood even more closely with the river and offer space for encounters, leisure, recreation and nature. The barrier of the former railroad tracks will disappear, but the traces of industrial history will be preserved as an identity. The focus on pedestrian and bicycle traffic as well as a new streetcar line promote sustainable, future-proof neighborhood mobility.

    Westquai space for the future
    Westquai will initially remain an industrial and commercial zone, but will gradually develop into a new urban hotspot from 2030. The innovation area between the port, the Rhine and the border triangle offers space for work, urban production, leisure, gastronomy, culture and a variety of green and open spaces. The future use should remain open in order to be able to react flexibly to social developments. Existing buildings will be preserved as far as possible in line with the net zero target for 2037.

    More greenery, more opportunities, more quality of life on the waterfront
    With the expansion of the natural and open spaces by 20,000 m², half of the site now comprises high-quality green areas. A substantial contribution to the biotope network and urban climate. The new district park and the two-kilometre-long Rhine promenade make the river a tangible experience for the city’s population. The strengthened open space fulfills central requirements of urban development and will become the social heart of Basel’s urban network.

    Klybeckquai and Westquai will create urban life on the waterfront. Basel is using the interface between past and future, industry and innovation to give the city a new face on the Rhine.

  • View into the fire zone

    View into the fire zone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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.

  • Market digitally. Sell more economically.

    Market digitally. Sell more economically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Find out more

  • SVIT Zurich political talk “Zurich municipal council elections 2026”

    SVIT Zurich political talk “Zurich municipal council elections 2026”

    Municipal elections will be held in the city of Zurich on March 8, 2026. With regard to this important election in the largest municipality in our canton (with an impact beyond the cantonal borders), SVIT Zurich recommends candidates for election. They are members of the relevant commissions HBD/SE (Department of Buildings, Urban Development) and FD (Department of Finance) or hold important positions in their parties. Newcomers who are not yet members of the municipal council are also included. However, all seven candidates share a common interest: To advance a liberal housing and real estate policy for Zurich that addresses the current challenges on the housing market quickly and effectively.

    In the political talk, the candidates will explain where they stand up for housing policy and the real estate sector and will also be available to answer critical questions in person during the drinks reception. At the end of the event, our political guests will compete against each other in the SVIT Zurich political game “Build & Rent”. Who will win the game? Who will win the 2026 Zurich municipal elections? We are curious.

    Link to the candidate videos

    Link to registration for the political event

    Download:
    SVIT Zurich “Polit-Check” on the municipal elections

  • Energy future in the Limmat Valley

    Energy future in the Limmat Valley

    The Limeco regional plant in the Limmat valley is facing a project of the century. A new waste recycling plant is to be built by 2034, followed by the reorganization of wastewater treatment by 2050. This will ensure that waste and wastewater from the Limmat Valley will continue to be processed in an environmentally friendly manner and used as a source of energy.

    The existing waste incineration plant will be replaced by a new building further to the west. A larger WWTP is to be built at the existing site to meet the needs of the growing Limmat Valley in the long term. The current WWTP will be decommissioned by 2050. It is located in a nationally protected nature and bird sanctuary.

    A project with vision
    The Limmattal Energy Center is a prime example of the transformation in the waste disposal and energy sector. From pure waste recycling, a multifunctional energy hub is being created that provides heat, electricity and gas – resource-conserving, locally anchored and climate-neutral.

    Design plan sets out framework
    A cantonal design plan forms the basis for planning law. It defines in a binding manner how the plants are to be phased, developed and embedded. Specifications on building plots, environmental and water protection, natural areas and public green spaces create planning security.

    An environmental impact assessment is being carried out in parallel. It examines the impact of the construction and operating phases on the environment, local residents and ecosystems. The aim is to create an energy center that combines climate and resource conservation. This includes electricity, district heating and gas production from renewable sources as well as concepts for the direct capture of CO₂ emissions.

    Participation and information
    The design plan will be open to the public for 60 days from January 20, 2026. Citizens, associations and authorities can comment on the draft during this time. The submissions will be examined by the cantonal authorities and documented in an objection report.

    On Wednesday, January 21, Limeco is hosting a public information event at which representatives of the canton and the company will present details of the project and answer questions. Information about the event can be found at www.lez.ch/gestaltungsplan.

    The complete documents are available at www.zh.ch/raumplanung and can also be viewed at the municipality of Dietikon and the Cantonal Office for Spatial Development.

  • Engineers’ Day 2026

    Engineers’ Day 2026

    Against the backdrop of climate change, digitalization and sustainable mobility, engineers are taking on a key role. They develop solutions for renewable energy systems, resilient infrastructures, smart mobility concepts, digital technologies, data-based applications and resource-conserving production.

    focus on the next generation
    Engineers’ Day aims to get young people interested in technology at an early age, from primary school children to university students. Companies and institutions offer guided tours, workshops, demo stations and dialog formats that bring professions to life and enable direct encounters with experts.

    the background to this is a persistent shortage of skilled workers, particularly in engineering and STEM professions, where women continue to be severely underrepresented. Companies, organizations and educational institutions are therefore invited to register their own events and activities for 4 March 2026 and thus actively contribute to the promotion of young talent.

    national Conference of Engineers
    The National Conference of Engineers will be held on the same day for the first time. Around 40 experts from business, science, politics and associations will come together at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Horw to discuss specific measures to strengthen the next generation of engineers.

    the aim of the conference is to join forces across industries and disciplines and find new ways to attract more young people in their diversity to engineering, STEM and tech professions. The conference thus complements the decentralized activities of Engineers’ Day with a strategic platform for exchange and joint initiatives.

    from Muttenz to Lucerne
    The handover from the previous venue of Muttenz to Lucerne in October 2025 marks a further step in the format’s development. With the first National Conference of Engineers at HSLU, Engineers’ Day 2026 will not only be an event for young talent, but also a meeting place for decision-makers in the engineering and education landscape.

  • Zurich strengthens energy transition with 60 million program

    Zurich strengthens energy transition with 60 million program

    Buildings are among the biggest energy consumers in the canton of Zurich. Around 40 percent of energy requirements and a third of CO₂ emissions are attributable to this area. However, a lot has changed in recent years. Technical innovations, the CO₂ levy and cantonal regulations are having an impact.

    With the energy subsidy programme, the canton is creating additional incentives to replace fossil fuel heating systems, insulate building shells or modernize heat distribution systems. Demand for subsidies remains high, fueled by the revised Energy Act of 2022.

    Financial framework until 2029
    The cantonal government is now requesting CHF 60 million from the cantonal council to continue the program. These funds are to be supplemented with shares from the CO₂ levy and from the national impulse program. Provided the federal benefits are not reduced, this will result in a total budget of up to CHF 286 million for the years 2026 to 2029.

    The focus is on measures in the building sector. Advice and information services will also be supported, particularly for owners who want to renovate their properties to make them more energy efficient or are looking for alternatives before the statutory ban on electric heating systems from 2030.

    Focus on innovation and biogas
    In addition to traditional building renovations, the canton will increasingly promote innovation in future. One million francs per year is available for pilot projects that test new technologies and processes for efficient energy use or storage. A further CHF 250,000 per year will go towards the promotion of biogas from agricultural facilities. A promising energy source for industrial high-temperature processes.

    In this way, the energy promotion program combines climate protection with regional value creation. It strengthens innovation and at the same time acts as a lever on the way to net zero in Zurich’s building stock.

  • Wolf-Areal Basel affordable apartments

    Wolf-Areal Basel affordable apartments

    SBB is pressing ahead with the transformation of the former Wolf freight station into an urban living and working quarter. As with the Volta Nord project, former railroad areas are being opened up for living, working and leisure.

    from 2028, around 270 apartments will be built on two building plots in the heart of the site, specifically positioned in the affordable segment.

    low-cost rent and contemporary forms of housing
    The Basler Wohngenossenschaft is planning around 150 cooperative apartments, while Vivanta is planning around 120 additional affordable units. All apartments will be built according to the cost-rent principle, which allows for moderate rents in the long term.

    the concepts are based on contemporary forms of living for different phases of life, from families to singles to older people. Communal areas and meeting zones are intended to strengthen neighborhood life and promote social networking.

    Non-profit partners with a clear mission
    BWG and Vivanta pursue an explicitly non-profit mission. To secure affordable living space while maintaining high quality and sustainability standards. The projects should demonstrate that ecological construction methods are compatible with affordable rents.

    building rights as a development instrument
    Building plots are allocated on the basis of a partnership-based building rights agreement developed jointly by SBB, the Federal Office for Housing and the Swiss Housing Association. This model creates reliable conditions for non-profit developers and accelerates the realization of affordable housing in city centers.

    with the development of the Wolf site, SBB is continuing to pursue its strategy of opening up areas that are no longer required for operational purposes for modern urban use and making a substantial contribution to affordable housing.

  • Real estate market in a state of tension

    Real estate market in a state of tension

    With the Swiss National Bank’s interest rate cut to 0% in summer 2025, financing conditions will return to historic lows. Buyers will benefit, as will institutional investors who are shifting capital into investment properties. As a result, prices are rising again, especially for apartment buildings.

    At the same time, the falling reference interest rate is leading to rent reductions for old contracts. However, demand clearly exceeds supply. This is pushing the rental housing market further towards scarcity.

    Ownership wins, preservation loses
    The abolition of the imputed rental value is changing the ownership landscape. Without the tax burden, interest in buying is increasing, especially in the middle income bracket. However, the abolition of the flat-rate maintenance deduction curbs investment in building maintenance. Some cantons are already examining alternative taxes to compensate for the loss of revenue. The reform decision therefore has a double effect. It stimulates the market, but harbors risks for the building fabric.

    Construction activity collapses
    Construction output fell sharply in 2025. In Zurich by around 35 %, in Ticino by as much as 80 %. This is due to political uncertainties, rising construction costs and complex approval procedures. This has a direct impact on rental prices, which continue to rise in many regions.

    The result is a structural shortage that will persist in 2026. Even a slight drop in immigration figures will do little to change this. SIV members in particular see the shortage as the main price driver of the year.

    Politics as a game changer
    Cantons and cities are experimenting with changes to building laws, from car-free districts to stricter regulations on the disclosure of pre-rentals. For project developers, this means more uncertainty, longer procedures and increasing risks.

    Investors are becoming more selective and the choice of location is gaining in importance. The market is becoming increasingly fragmented along local lines.

    Climate risks and new valuation standards
    FINMA Circular 2026/1 makes sustainability mandatory. Banks and insurers must explicitly include climate and natural hazards in their risk assessments.
    Exposed locations are becoming less attractive, while stable and climate-resilient properties are gaining. For institutional investors, this means rethinking valuation models and portfolios.

    Residential properties on the rise, commercial properties under pressure
    The SIV analysis shows a clearly divided market picture. The residential market remains robust despite the turnaround in interest rates. Demand is high, vacancy rates are continuing to fall and should soon drop below 1.2 %. Rent increases are realistic, particularly for new lettings. The pressure on the market remains.

    In contrast, the commercial sector is under increasing pressure. Numerous companies are selling office space, resulting in a slight increase in vacancy rates. Modern, ESG-compliant new buildings are holding their own, while older properties are becoming less attractive and price concessions are becoming necessary.
    The retail sector is also showing a mixed picture. Local supply remains stable, but fashion and electronics stores are struggling with declining footfall and falling profitability.
    In terms of mortgages, owners are benefiting from low interest rates. Overall, financing costs are falling significantly. At the same time, energy and maintenance costs are rising and thus remain a fixed cost driver.

    Despite political and economic uncertainties, the majority of SIV members expect rising prices and stable income in the residential segment and a further decline in construction activity.

    Differentiation as a key factor
    The market will remain robust but selective in 2026. Quality, location and climate fitness determine success. While residential is considered a safe asset class, commercial is becoming a challenge. Investors and owners are faced with the task of reading market environments more precisely and incorporating regulatory dynamics at an early stage.

  • Basel becomes the building site of the future

    Basel becomes the building site of the future

    When the doors to Swissbau 2026 open tomorrow, Messe Basel will be transformed into a vibrant center of the construction and real estate industry. 592 exhibitors and partners will showcase products, systems and ideas for sustainable building and modern living.

    Hans Wicki, member of the Council of States and President of the umbrella organization Bauenschweiz, opens the trade fair with the Globus Basel lighthouse project as an example of sustainable renovation. Accompanied by representatives from politics and business, the industry demonstrates how professional expertise, climate targets and building practice can be combined.

    Experience craftsmanship live
    In Hall 1.0, the focus is on a real construction project. A two-storey house is being built in front of visitors’ eyes. Over 15 craft businesses will be demonstrating their skills, from woodworkers to solar installers, from tile layers to plasterers. The project makes tangible what building culture means in everyday life.

    Right next door, a cooperation with the Swiss Painting and Plastering Contractors’ Association SMGV brings color into play. Decorative plaster textures, live training sessions by two Swiss master craftswomen and the “Swiss Prize for Plaster and Paint” exhibition – a marketplace full of ideas and dynamism.

    Sharing knowledge, shaping change
    The Swissbau Focus and Swissbau Lab platforms create space for dialog. Here, experts discuss the circular economy, climate adaptation and digital change in the construction process. High-caliber speakers and practical examples provide food for thought and show how the future can be implemented in concrete terms.

    Whether in specialist forums or in direct discussions, knowledge transfer remains at the heart of the trade fair. All events are included in the admission price. A clear plus for trade visitors.

    Rooms for inspiration
    Design lovers and interior professionals will find new inspiration in the Trend World Interior Design (Hall 1.2). Bathroom innovations, surfaces, light and materials combine to create an atmospheric world of experience. Like Swissbau Focus, the hall will also remain open on Saturday, providing space for encounters outside the working week.

    Looking to the future
    Swissbau 2026 is more than just a trade fair. It is a showcase for progress, a laboratory for solutions and a place where the industry and society work together on the construction of tomorrow.

  • Canton of Jura updates list of industrial sites suitable for redevelopment

    Canton of Jura updates list of industrial sites suitable for redevelopment

    The canton of Jura is committed to revitalising its industrial wastelands. As part of theSwissRenovproject, it has now updated the cantonal register of industrial wastelands suitable for redevelopment, according to a press release. This first step is intended to provide up-to-date and reliable information to companies and investors who are looking for commercial space or are interested in the redevelopment and modernisation of industrial facilities.

    In the first phase of the project in 2019, around 90 industrial brownfield sites were identified, of which around half have been redeveloped to date. Now, 30 more brownfield sites are being added. The updated map, which can be viewed online, currently lists 70 industrial sites. 60 per cent of these are located in the district of Porrentruy, 36 per cent in the district of Delèmont and the rest in the districts of Franches-Montagnes and Moutier. In the current phase, the SwissRenov project in Jura is scheduled for completion by 2028.

    The SwissRenov project is being led by Haute École Arc in collaboration with the cantonal spatial planning departmentand is being driven forward byCreapole SAin Delèmont. It is supported by the Swiss Confederation through theInnosuisse flagship programme and byCleantechAlps, the cleantech promoter for French-speaking Switzerland.

    According to the press release, this project, which is unique in Switzerland, aims to promote the renovation and refurbishment of industrial buildings in line with the principles of the circular economy.

  • Watt d’Or last edition of an energy prize

    Watt d’Or last edition of an energy prize

    The Swiss Federal Office of Energy awarded the Watt d’Or for the nineteenth and final time on January 8, 2026. The prize has been awarded since 2007 as a non-endowed seal of quality for energy excellence. The aim was to make exceptional achievements in the energy sector visible and to attract business, politics and the public to innovative energy technologies. 55 applications were received for the 2026 edition, 17 projects made it to the final round, from which the jury, chaired by National Councillor Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher, selected the four winning projects.

    Gaznat Innovation Lab “GreenGas“
    Gaznat’s Innovation Lab in Aigle, where the gas supply company is working with EPFL and start-ups to test technologies for sector coupling, decarbonization and seasonal storage on an industrial scale, won in the energy technologies category. The GreenGas concept combines CHP, photovoltaics, power-to-gas (electrolysis), hydrogen storage, CO₂ capture, methanation and Gaznat’s real gas network at the Aigle site, thus building a bridge from research to industrial application.

    Endigo with alpine façade PV
    Endigo Holding AG from Fiesch, which has installed an alpine façade solar system at its new company headquarters in Goms, received an award in the renewable energy category. The lightweight timber construction with slatted façade combines architectural quality with a PV solution that utilizes the existing alpine light and reflection potential and stands for endigo’s regionally anchored, nature-loving and future-oriented energy focus.

    Electric tractor from Rigitrac
    Rigitrac Traktorenbau AG from Küssnacht am Rigi received the award for energy-efficient mobility for the SKE 40 e-direct electric tractor, the first production-ready electric tractor with European type approval. The vehicle is emission-free, quiet, maneuverable and particularly energy-efficient, making it suitable for applications where exhaust fumes and noise are undesirable. For example, in municipal maintenance, in vegetable tunnels or at indoor sports events.

    Buildings and space
    The Hobelwerk site in Oberwinterthur, which was developed by the building cooperative “mehr als wohnen”, Lemon Consult AG and the Low-Tech Lab together with other partners, received an award in the buildings and space category. The district impresses with its timber construction, the use of recycled materials, intelligent energy systems, an innovative ventilation concept, climate-oriented architecture and social diversity and is regarded as a model for forward-looking, non-profit housing construction in Switzerland.

  • 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”.

  • Experimental field of cooperative city life

    Experimental field of cooperative city life

    As an innovation and learning platform, “mehr als wohnen” sees the Hobelwerk not only as a housing estate, but also as a real-life laboratory for new forms of housing, participation models and cooperative governance. For experts in planning, housing construction and urban development, the neighborhood offers illustrative material for central questions of future urban development. For example, the focus is on how much community everyday life can actually tolerate and how mixed uses can be organized in such a way that they function robustly in the long term. It also shows how a district can be designed to be socially open, ecologically ambitious and yet economically viable.

    The Hobelwerk is located on the former site of the Kälin & Co. carpentry factory right next to Oberwinterthur railroad station and thus in a well-developed, formerly commercial location. The client is the building cooperative mehr als wohnen, which has realized its second major project after the Hunziker Areal and developed the site in two stages between 2018 and 2023.

    five new buildings and several converted existing buildings have been built on an area of around 16,000 m², with a total of around 158 apartments plus commercial and communal areas. The development is considered a model for socially, ecologically and economically sustainable urban development and has won several architectural and energy awards.

    urban design, architecture and mix of uses
    The various structures, including long blocks along the tracks, a courtyard house, a rectangular building and a small residential tower, create a small-scale quarter with courtyards, alleyways, play areas and gardens. Several offices, including pool Architekten, Ramser Schmid, Pascal Flammer, Baubüro in situ and Studio Vulkan, ensure diversity in the details while maintaining a clear overall figure.

    the mix of uses ranges from classic 1.5- to 6.5-room apartments, cluster apartments and micro co-living to residential studios for cultural workers and commercial space of various sizes, some of which is affordable. The first floor includes a daycare center, bakery, co-working space, studios, laundromats, common rooms and communal areas that function as an extended “living room” for the development.

    living concepts and everyday organization
    The cooperative combines established and experimental forms of living such as micro-co-living for one to two people with shared kitchens and common areas, spacious cluster apartments for shared apartments, classic family apartments and inclusive housing projects, for example with partner organizations such as jawohn. The residential offering is complemented by guest rooms, guest apartments and rooms that can be flexibly rented.

    the commons play a central role with arcades, roof terraces, common rooms and the covered Hobelwerkplatz square, which facilitate informal encounters and shared use. Residents actively shape the neighborhood in neighborhood groups and participation formats, a core component of the “more than housing” DNA.

    existing buildings, open space and identity
    The old planing mill hall and the Z-Hall were preserved, gently converted and now form the center with a covered square for markets, festivals, cultural and neighborhood events. In this way, the industrial past remains present as a spatial and narrative layer and gives the area a clear identity.

    the open space design with vegetable gardens, gravel paths, play areas and the greening of courtyards and façades aims to ensure a high quality of stay, heat reduction and biodiversity. Low-car access and a mobility station with bikes and trailers make everyday life without a car easier.

    sustainability, governance and learning character
    The project focuses on energy-efficient construction, robust, durable materials and the targeted reuse of components, combined with low per capita consumption of resources and space. The Hobelwerk received several awards for this, including as one of the best new construction projects in Switzerland and for its energy-efficient, resource-conserving design.

  • Cantons stop fire protection liberalization

    Cantons stop fire protection liberalization

    The current VKF fire protection regulations from 2015 form the binding framework for structural and technical fire protection throughout Switzerland. They are implemented by the cantons and municipalities. A complete revision was planned for 2026/2027. On behalf of the cantons, the VKF prepared a draft of around 500 pages, which had been undergoing technical consultation since September 2025 under the project title “BSV 2026”.

    The aim was to create a more modern set of regulations with a stronger focus on proportionality, deregulation and cost-benefit optimization. The approach was clear protection targets, simplified verification procedures and more individual responsibility throughout the entire life cycle of a building.

    Planned relaxations in focus
    Critical discussions focused primarily on selective relaxations. The draft provided for longer permitted escape route lengths and simplified requirements for combustible components in certain usage scenarios. In addition, mandatory inspections were to be partially reduced in favor of more self-declaration and personal responsibility on the part of owners.

    how much reduction in standards can a system whose core mission is to protect human life tolerate? Critics warn that supposed efficiency gains could come at a high price in the event of an emergency.

    Halt after fire disaster
    The fire disaster in Valais on New Year’s Eve suddenly changed the discussion. The Intercantonal Body for Technical Barriers to Trade, as the political client of the project, called a halt to the liberalization efforts at the beginning of January 2026.

    although the technical consultation will be formally concluded by January 11, the content of the entire reform project will be reassessed. Reliable findings from the ongoing investigations into the fire are to be discussed both technically and politically and explicitly integrated into further work.

    Criticism of “more market, less state“
    Even before the fire, experts and the media expressed skepticism about the direction of the revision. The thrust of “deregulation, more personal responsibility, fewer controls” was interpreted as a risk of weakening security in favor of cost savings, flexibility and project acceleration.

    The situation is particularly delicate in cantons without cantonal building insurance, such as Valais, where the prevention and control structures are less dense. There is growing concern that longer escape routes, more flammable components and reduced supervision could result in higher risks of major damage and casualties.

    What’s next for BSV 2026?
    The consultation on the technical draft is being evaluated, while the IOTH and VKF are simultaneously drawing up a new timetable for the “BSV 2026” project. Officially, everything is open, from targeted clarifications and greater standardization to more stringent individual requirements.

    At the same time, another debate is gaining momentum. Many stakeholders are calling for more uniform inspections and minimum standards throughout Switzerland, as the current implementation of fire safety inspections varies greatly between cantons. The marching halt is therefore not the end of the reform, but a turning point. Away from pure deregulation and towards a fire protection policy that makes the lessons learned from Crans-Montana visible and binding.

  • 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

  • Expansion of strategic management with Daniel Kuster

    Expansion of strategic management with Daniel Kuster

    With the planned election of Daniel Kuster, Property One is specifically strengthening the strategic management and long-term orientation of the Group. Together with the entire Board of Directors, Kuster will shape the further development of the Group and closely support the implementation of key strategic initiatives.

    The collaboration goes beyond a traditional Board of Directors mandate. In direct exchange with the Executive Board and the organization, he will contribute to the conceptual sharpening, organizational development and implementation of the growth agenda. The election is subject to the approval of FINMA.

    Experience along the real estate value chain
    Daniel Kuster brings with him over twenty years of management experience in executive positions, boards of directors and investment committees, including many years as CEO of Fundamenta Group (Schweiz) AG and as managing director of a real estate investment foundation. His career thus encompasses both operational management and institutional capital market experience in the real estate sector.

    Today, he acts as an independent board member, foundation board member and strategic sparring partner and advises companies on governance issues, strategy development and the structuring of business models. This combination of market knowledge, governance expertise and investor perspective fits in well with Property One’s growth-oriented positioning.

    Added value for further development
    The Group not only wants to further expand its platforms, products and projects, but also take them to the next level of development in terms of strategy and organization. Kuster’s experience in corporate management, governance and structuring business models should help to balance growth, professionalism and a values-based corporate culture.

    The close involvement in the Board of Directors and operational discussions creates the basis for translating strategic ambitions into robust structures, clear decision-making processes and scalable business models. This strengthens the company’s position as an entrepreneurial, long-term thinking real estate and investment group.

  • Sunrise streamlines structures

    Sunrise streamlines structures

    The planned reduction is part of an “organizational development” with which Sunrise intends to reduce hierarchical levels, shorten decision-making paths and make processes more efficient through the use of new technologies. Numerous management functions in particular would be affected. Store employees with direct customer contact and trainees are to be largely spared.

    in the event of unavoidable redundancies, a social plan will come into effect that takes into account age and years of service, provides for a new placement program and includes a fund for individual bridging and qualification measures. Employees aged 58 and over receive fixed-term contracts until 62, and from 62 Sunrise supports early retirement. Younger employees are to be reintegrated into the labor market as quickly as possible.

    repeated cuts hit staff hard
    The news comes as another shock for employees. Sunrise already cut 166 jobs in 2024 as part of the integration of UPC following a consultation process.

    in the ongoing consultation process, the Syndicom trade union is calling for alternatives to be seriously examined and for the company to refrain from further job cuts. The decision on the actual redundancies is expected once the process has been completed. They are likely to be announced in February and March 2026.

    price war forces efficiency
    The Swiss telecoms market is highly competitive and numerous new providers have entered the market since liberalization, while there has been no market consolidation. At the same time, customers are becoming increasingly price-sensitive, discount campaigns and promotions are squeezing margins and forcing consistent cost discipline.

    in this environment, providers are trying to distinguish themselves with low tariffs, package offers and service quality, while at the same time investing heavily in networks, fiber optics and 5G. Structural programs such as Sunrise’s are therefore not just business manoeuvres, but an expression of a market in which efficiency is becoming a question of survival.

  • Apartments are shrinking again

    Apartments are shrinking again

    Households are getting smaller, while apartments remain large. The average household size has fallen to around two people since the 1960s, and the proportion of single-person households is now around 41%, in some cases half of all households in large cities. At the same time, the large multi-room apartment dominates the housing stock, a structural mismatch that puts new construction under pressure.

    added to this are price and location pressures as well as sharp rises in land, construction and energy costs. This makes large apartments unaffordable for many, while investors achieve higher returns per square meter with smaller units. Urban planning models are focusing on redensification instead of single-family homes, and the proportion of new-build apartments in apartment buildings has risen.

    technical consequences for planning and construction
    Smaller apartments do not mean less planning, but more complexity in a smaller space. Higher building densities, larger spans and finer load transfer place demands on structural planning. The building services must supply more residential units per building, with higher requirements for sound insulation, ventilation, cable routing and meter logistics.

    in terms of fire protection, escape routes, fire compartments and rescue concepts are becoming more demanding as densification and mixed use increase. At the same time, there is growing pressure for flexible floor plans that can be divided, combined or repurposed, from single apartments to family homes and back again.

    conversion instead of tabula rasa
    New construction alone cannot remedy the structural imbalance between household and apartment sizes. Most of the existing housing stock dates back to the days of other housing and family models. Demolition and replacement would be neither economically nor ecologically justifiable.

    the focus is therefore shifting to the existing housing stock. Dividing up large apartments, building additions in the courtyard, adding storeys or converting office space become the central engineering task. In technical terms, this means interventions in statics and fire protection, retrofitting building services during ongoing operations and precision work on the occupied building.

    space as an underestimated lever
    The most important message from the evaluations is that heating, insulation and systems engineering are decisive for energy requirements. The heated living space per capita is decisive. Living on fewer square meters automatically reduces the heating load, the use of materials and the operating energy required

    Smaller and more energy-efficient homes therefore become a double key. They are better suited to smaller households and noticeably reduce the energy consumption of the building sector. Downsizing has a more immediate effect than many individual technical measures, provided that floor plans remain liveable, adaptable and socially mixed.

  • Zurich strengthens energy future with solar and storage obligation

    Zurich strengthens energy future with solar and storage obligation

    The largest unused power plant is located on Zurich’s roofs. Around 6 terawatt hours of solar power could be generated annually, almost two thirds of the canton’s electricity requirements. The cantonal government wants to exploit this potential. In future, all suitable roofs over 300 square meters are to be fully covered with solar systems. New buildings are subject to the obligation from the time of construction, existing buildings when the roof is replaced.

    In this way, Zurich is focusing on proven structures. Solar energy is generated locally, can be implemented quickly and hardly encounters any resistance. It strengthens self-sufficiency, especially if surplus summer electricity can be stored.

    Storage as a bridge to winter
    The way to a secure winter supply is through storage. Three quarters of solar power is generated in the summer months. A surplus that should be available for long-term use in the future. The Government Council wants to oblige grid operators to promote long-term storage in a technology-neutral way.

    A moderate levy of no more than 0.5 centimes per kilowatt hour will feed the subsidy fund, which will be administered by the EKZ. For households and businesses, this means around two percent higher electricity costs. Hardship regulations protect electricity-intensive companies.

    Law with a sense of proportion
    Where systems are uneconomical, financial hardship exists or there is no grid connection, exceptions remain possible and the obligation does not apply. Protective interests for the landscape and townscape are also weighed up.

    Zurich is thus sending out a pragmatic signal. Instead of hoping for large-scale projects in the Alps or wind farms, the potential is being used locally. The combination of nationwide solar production and a storage strategy forms the backbone of a secure, renewable energy future in the canton.

  • 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.