Category: Regions

Hächler Group makes Baden city tower future-proof

Specialists in the renovation of historic and listed buildings belonging to the Hächler Group have repaired water damage to the city tower in Baden. According to a press release from the Wettingen construction company, the damage was caused at a height of 30 meters and the entire tufa brickwork was saturated with water.

In order to avoid such water damage in the future after the repair is complete, the most modern technology will be used on the historic building. Every year there will be a control of the drains by means of a drone, it says in the message.

Reto Schwitter – foreman, remodeling and renovation of historic buildings at Hächler – reports on the course of events in the media release. On December 22nd, the remodeling and renovation department of Hächler AG received an emergency message with the information that pieces of plaster were falling from the Baden city tower. The damage was examined the next morning with the help of the turntable ladders of the Baden fire brigade at a height of 30 meters.

The damaged area had been cleaned, but the heavy snow and rain in the following three weeks, followed by night frost, worsened the damage and more pieces of plaster fell off, reports the foreman. A protective net had to be installed in January. In March, the Hächler specialists scaffolded the city tower for the renovation of historical and listed buildings. The historic building material that was soaked in water was identified. After a period of drying out, it was possible to rebuild, reports Polier Schwitter. Now a new gutter has to be installed and then it is necessary to regularly check the Baden city tower at a height of 30 meters – by drone.

June 2021
Umwelt Arena implements lighthouse project in Urdorf

The development of the Umwelt Arena in Männedorf received the Watt d'or 2021 from the Federal Office of Energy. The two multi-family houses in Männedorf can cover their energy needs with photovoltaic modules on the facades and roofs and two wind turbines. This means that your residents are exempt from electricity and heating costs up to an upper limit.

The Umwelt Arena is now following up with a new lighthouse project. In Urdorf, three more energy self-sufficient residential buildings are to be realized, is explained in an article on energeia + . The blog of the Federal Office of Energy will accompany the implementation of the project in a loose series of articles. In the first article, Walter Schmid, investor and initiator of the Umwelt Arena, explains the planned development.

As in Männedorf, the buildings in Urdorf will also produce their own energy, explains Schmid. “Photovoltaic systems are installed on the facade, on the flat roof or the entrance to the underground car park.” Excess energy produced in summer is to be fed into the gas network and withdrawn in winter. In order to convert the gas back into electricity and heat, a hybrid box will be installed in the basement of the building. The tenants of the residential buildings are to be exempted from electricity and heating costs up to an upper limit.

In the brochure for the project, the development in Urdorf is referred to as a “national future project”. Because the project should show "that it is worthwhile to build energy-efficiently and win everyone in the process," says the initiator Schmid. Männedorf has already shown that the idea works, that the larger project in Urdorf should "make it even cheaper, more economical". Because this is the only way to attract imitators.

June 2021
Renggli AG wins the Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2020

First place for Renggli AG from Schötz
With over 95 years of experience as a timber construction partner and general contractor, Renggli AG offers energy-efficient and sustainable timber construction projects in modern architecture – for multi-storey residential buildings, commercial and public buildings as well as for single-family houses. Jury President Urban Camenzind, Economic Director of Canton Uri, paid tribute to the winner in his laudation: “Renggli AG is known for energy-efficient construction with wood and is one of the MINER-GIE pioneers in Switzerland and beyond. The family company already lived sustainability and put it into practice when this word was often still theory. Renggli AG is characterized by innovation and a pioneering spirit. This means that the company is also doing business successfully and is well equipped for the future. " Renggli AG employs over 230 people at its locations in Sursee, Schötz, Granges-Paccot, Ascona and Winterthur. The family company is run in the fourth generation by Max Renggli, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Elbatech AG and Shiptec AG in second and third place
Second place goes to Elbatech AG. It installs modern tunnel radio systems for the railway operators throughout Switzerland and thus ensures uninterrupted communication for all travelers. The design and assembly of traction power systems and diamond drilling are other important areas of activity. The company is characterized by innovative in-house developments and total solutions. Elbatech was founded in 2007, is managed by Florian Reichmuth and Stefan Franzen and employs 45 people.
Bronze went to Shiptec AG, the leading Swiss company in the shipbuilding industry. With its shipyard and an engineering office, the company provides technical services in the areas of ship design and engineering, shipbuilding, ship revisions, conversions and ship maintenance for professional and private shipping. Shiptec AG employs over 70 people and is managed by Ruedi Stadelmann.
Awards for Allvisual AG, Gübelin and Seiler Käserei AG
Allvisual AG from Steinhausen, an internationally active, owner-managed consulting company in the areas of digital transformation, product lifecycle management, smart manufacturing / service and 3D visualization, and the world-renowned family company Gübelin from Lucerne, known for its gemstone expertise and luxury, also received awards Watches, as well as the Seiler Käserei AG from Giswil, which has been producing excellent cheese specialties as an independent, owner-managed traditional company since 1928.
Prix SVC – an opportunity to put SMEs in the limelight
The sponsor and initiator of the Prix SVC Zentralschweiz is the Swiss Venture Club (SVC), an independent, not-for-profit association for the promotion and support of SMEs in Switzerland. Christoph Baggenstos, SVC Regional Manager Central Switzerland, emphasizes: “We award companies that belong to Switzerland's SME elite. Our focus is on exemplary companies that create jobs and help shape the Swiss economy. With the Prix SVC we offer these companies a platform to show their success to the outside world. Last but not least, the attention that our award winners receive from the Prix SVC should also be an incentive for other companies. "

May 2021
Steiner Office Barometer: Switzerland loves working from home

With the decline in the number of corona cases, the Federal Council could soon lift the home office obligation. Reason to cheer or to be annoyed? As the Steiner study carried out in German and French-speaking Switzerland with over 1,000 employees shows, 9 out of 10 respondents who currently work at home or at least theoretically could do so are in favor of home office. However, many miss the social contacts in the office.
Bosses discover the advantages of working from home
It is noticeable that 39% of the respondents had the opportunity to work from home even before they were required to work from home. Currently 48% only work slightly more from home – with a maximum potential of 56%. There is a tendency for more people to work at home in cities and in large companies than in rural areas and in SMEs. In particular, employees with a managerial function (51%) or from company management (61%) currently work from home and obviously appreciate the advantages. Before the pandemic, it was just under 42% and 37%, respectively.
Since younger people in particular want to work more at home, a home office offer could become an advantage in recruiting in the future. Of those surveyed who could work from home, two thirds (65%) work for employers in the city. Four out of five (81%) work for employers who have their own office space.
Employees want the best of both worlds
Home office is a great need. Nevertheless, many respondents do not want to do without a fixed office workplace. Two thirds have one today. A central location of the workplace remains important for the majority of the respondents, even if they do not commute every day. Many employees want the best of both worlds: the freedom of the home office, but still the familiar environment in the office.
What does this desire mean for the construction of new residential and commercial buildings, in the city as well as in the country? Central, urban workplaces will continue to be in demand, while offices in peripheral locations will probably meet with less demand. Even more creative solutions will be required from planners in the future. On the other hand, thanks to the acceptance of home offices, peripheral places of residence could also become more attractive.
Steiner is already planning a home office
When developing real estate projects, Steiner takes social trends into account and responds to the social challenges of the future with innovative building solutions and forms of living. "In residential construction, we are responding to the desire for home office with new ideas," emphasizes Michael Schiltknecht, Head Real Estate at Steiner AG.
Michael Schiltknecht is convinced that Steiner already offers solutions and tailor-made answers to the requirements of the future in the office and commercial sector: “We have developed the sustainable and multi-dimensional“ Manufakt ”concept, which, in addition to modularly usable rooms, offers an offer of divided and as required required meeting rooms, flex offices and meeting areas ».

May 2021
Federal government is satisfied with the law on second homes

The population accepted the second home initiative in 2012. This means that no additional holiday apartments or houses may be built in municipalities with more than 20 percent second homes. The Federal Council has now carried out an impact analysis of the Second Homes Act. He comes to the conclusion that the law does not need to be adjusted.

In its communication, however, the Federal Council emphasizes that it is still too early to conclusively assess the Second Homes Act. For example, there would still be transition effects. Certain construction projects were approved before the law came into force. Overall, the land consumption for newly built second homes in all affected municipalities decreased by around a third from 2013 to 2018 compared to 2007 to 2012. However, the law on second homes did not result in zero growth.

The federal government does not see any need for reform in the Second Homes Act. However, he sees a need for action in terms of enforcement, the knowledge base and the key terms of the accommodation industry. For example, the tasks and competencies of the cantons are to be specified. In 2025, the federal government will re-examine the effects of the law.

In a media release, the Intergovernmental Conference of the Mountain Cantons is disappointed with the Federal Council's decision. It is known that the law on second homes is "largely complex in terms of content and not optimally formulated". This leads to problems in the execution. Accordingly, according to the mountain cantons, the law could be improved. You now want to work towards adjustments in parliament. They also emphasize that the impact analysis was carried out two years later than the law provides. If it had already gone that way, the findings from the corona pandemic should have been incorporated.

May 2021
JED wins design award

The real estate development JED in Schlieren was able to convince in an international architecture competition. She received the Silver Award at theA 'Design Award and Comeptition . As part of the global competition, 2094 winners from 108 countries and in 104 design disciplines were chosen.

JED was honored for its interior design, according to a message from real estate developer Swiss Prime Site on LinkedIn. In addition to Swiss Prime Site, the Zurich architecture firm Evolution Design is behind the design.

JED was created on the former printing center of the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” in Schlieren. The development offers space for workplaces and events. JED sees itself as a “center for knowledge transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship”.

"The project shows how industrial premises can be transformed into attractive destinations that revitalize local (economic) activities and create a platform for entrepreneurship," said the jury of the A 'Design Award and Competition. The architectural concept emphasizes the special features of the individual halls and gives the original structure a contemporary profile. The jury also praised the rooms in such a way that they enable knowledge transfer, creativity and innovation.

The aim of the A 'Design Award and Competition is to make special architectural projects from all over the world known. This is intended to inspire new projects.

May 2021
"Gupfengarten" in Niederweningen receives building permit

The building permit for the Gupfengarten residential development in Niederweningen is now legally binding. According to a media release, construction on a well-developed area south of the 3,000-inhabitant village should begin in late summer. The project is being implemented by the Zurich project developer Steiner AG on behalf of Evostate Immobilien AG.

The Gupfengarten project comprises 36 single-family houses and three multi-family houses with 21 condominiums. It should be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2023. Graf Biscioni Architekten AG is responsible for the architecture.

Othmar Ulrich, Head of Real Estate Development in the Eastern Region at Steiner AG, points out in the press release that the marketing of the apartments began last year. "With the legally binding building permit, another important milestone has now been reached," said Ulrich. The 36 row single-family houses with 4.5 and 5.5 rooms have their own private garden and are child-friendly. The 21 condominium apartments with 2.5 to 4.5 rooms have a covered outdoor area. The traffic-free settlement has an underground car park with direct access to the residential units.

The Gupfengarten project focuses on sustainability with heat generation using a heat pump and photovoltaic system. The building envelope is made of wood for optimal thermal insulation values. The Gupfengarten development is within walking distance of the train station. From there it is 35 minutes by train to the center of Zurich.

May 2021
Single-family houses are very popular even in times of crisis

The speed at which sellers have been able to sell their homes over the past year has varied widely across regions. While single-family houses in the greater Zurich area became even scarcer and were sold within an average of 43 days, it took 100 days longer in Ticino. This is the finding of the Swiss Real Estate Institute of the Zurich School of Economics (HWZ) and the online real estate marketplace Homegate in their biannual evaluation of real estate advertisements on the Internet.

Accordingly, the average advertisement time for single-family houses on the leading online real estate portals in Switzerland rose by 26 percent in 2020 from 61 to 77 days. This development was driven by the regions of Ticino and Waadt / Wallis. In Ticino, advertisements were on the Internet 60 percent longer before they were sold than in 2019. In the Vaud / Wallis region, it took 25 percent longer and thus 71 days to sell a house than in the previous year.

The authors of the study see a possible reason for the increase in the average tendering time in the uncertainty in the crisis year, which made many wait and see. Nevertheless, the demand remained high. “In some regions it took a little longer to sell a property for a short time. But we can see that the tide has already turned again and that single-family houses are very popular even in times of crisis, ”Jens Paul Berndt, CEO of Homegate, is quoted in a press release.

May 2021
Circulit concrete is being delivered for the first time

In Stadel, the recyclable concrete was delivered circulit for the first time. This will create three apartment buildings on Hinterdorfstrasse. “The circular age begins with the delivery of the first cubic meters of circular concrete,” writes the newly founded company , which calls itself just like its product, in its press release .

Thanks to the use of 1850 cubic meters of circular concrete, the builder EBI Immobilien saves 3260 primary raw materials. It also reduces the construction project's carbon footprint by 18,500 kilograms. This is achieved by using a “new type of technology” to store CO2 in the concrete.

This building material "gives me the opportunity to achieve a significant reduction in the biggest influencing factor, concrete," Sarah Heinle from EBI Immobilien is quoted in the press release. "We hope that other clients will follow suit so that we can achieve the ambitious environmental goals together."

Theoretically, according to Circulit, the construction industry can remove 7.5 million tons of construction waste annually and at the same time store over 42 million kilograms of CO2 in the concrete. The technology is ready for the market and the national expansion has started.

May 2021
Swiss Prime Site Immobilien markets offices near Geneva

In the immediate vicinity of the Lancy-Pont-Rouge train station, Swiss Prime Site Immobilien AG is developing a building with 15 upper floors. Office and commercial space according to the latest standards for modern work is being built on 30,000 square meters. The real estate company based in Olten recently laid the foundation stone for the project called Alto Pont-Rouge , according to a media release .

Marketing has already started. The first rental contracts, including with a co-working provider, have been concluded. The proximity to Geneva speaks for the location. Trains to the metropolis run several times an hour from Lancy-Pont-Rouge train station, which opened in 2017. Commuters reached Genève-Cornavin main train station in five minutes.

France can also be reached quickly and will make the district a traffic and economic hub in the future, according to the media release. A new district is to be built in the former 230 hectare industrial quarter. 50,000 people are expected to settle there over the next 20 years. According to a press release, Pont-Rouge is the first major construction phase in the important Praille-Acacias-Vernets development area in Geneva.

May 2021
University of St.Gallen gets a house in the park

The University of St.Gallen ( HSG ) needs more space, according to a joint communication from the Canton of St.Gallen , the City of St.Gallen and the HSG. The canton of St.Gallen will therefore have a second campus built for the HSG on the Platztor site in the city of St.Gallen. The project had already been approved by the population of the canton in 2019.

In the architecture competition organized by the canton, the project House in the Park by Zurich architect Pascal Flammer was able to prevail from among 59 candidates, informs the city administration. The winning project envisages a six-story building surrounded by a park. Large windows and a lot of wood made the building appear light and open, according to the announcement. On around 31,000 square meters, space will be created for around 3,000 students, lecturers and employees. The new building will significantly enhance the area “compared to the current situation”, write the authors.

In the next step, the canton will now work out the specific construction project. The approval process is then to be started in 2023. Construction is scheduled to start in 2025. The Haus am Park should be ready for use in 2029.

The communication estimates the cost of the project at CHF 207 million. The canton's population has already given their approval for the CHF 160 million allocated to the canton. The federal government and the HSG will contribute CHF 25 million and CHF 20 million respectively. The city of St.Gallen made a contribution of 2 million francs to the sale of the property.

May 2021
Zurich is the most sustainable city in Switzerland

The British IG Bank has compiled a list of the most sustainable Swiss cities. According to this, Zurich is considered the most sustainable city in Switzerland. Lausanne, Bern, Lucerne, St.Gallen, Lugano, Geneva and Basel follow Zurich.

For its ranking, the bank used government data sources from the eight largest cities. She then combined the results with evaluations from international agencies. The focal points in determining sustainability included air quality, the use of public transport, the proportion of recreational areas, the population density and the proportion of populated areas.

IG Bank emphasizes that Zurich is not only the most sustainable, but also the largest city in Switzerland. This makes the top position all the more impressive. Zurich did well in all areas. However, the use of public transport was particularly decisive. According to the bank, 67.1 percent of residents use some form of public transport. This is one of the main reasons for the good air quality in the city. As a further highlight, IG Bank highlights the fact that Zurich has its own government department for sustainable building. This focuses on creating a 2000 watt society.

IG Bank is convinced that current and future investments will be strongly oriented towards sustainability. The aim of their ranking is to "highlight Switzerland's commitment to sustainability". In addition, the data should serve as an “indicator for future trends and show what other big cities could do to repeat Switzerland's success”.

May 2021
Holcim drives innovation from start-ups

The Zug-based cement giant Holcim is teaming up with three young Swiss companies, according to a media release . The aim is to advance innovative technologies in the construction sector and promote sustainability.

In cooperation with the Freiburg start-up Mobbot , for example, the integration of recycled building materials into 3D printing technology is to be promoted. Mobbot has developed the necessary 3D printing technology. Together with Holcim, it now wants to develop a concrete recipe that enables the use of recycled material in 3D printing.

Holcim has entered into another cooperation with the Bern-based company Neuustark . The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ) is developing a technology with which CO2 from the atmosphere can be permanently stored in recycled concrete. For this purpose, liquid CO2 is introduced into the demolition material. As part of the collaboration, neustark is investigating the CO2 conversion potential of the demolition concrete recycled by Holcim. In turn, Holcim is optimizing the concrete produced by Neustark. Holcim believes it is possible to integrate the neustark solution into its recycling process in the future.

The third collaboration between Holcim and the Ticino start-up company HeatNeutral has been agreed. This has developed an innovative combustion system that is intended to promote the decarbonization of production facilities. According to the information, the heating system works particularly efficiently and achieves an almost 100 percent combustion of fuels. This means that less fuel is required for the same output. In addition, the HeatNeutral system can also burn CO2-neutral oils such as vegetable oils, used cooking oils and biodiesel. Holcim is testing the solution in its concrete plant in Birsfelden BL.

April 2021
Zurich is the most sustainable city in Switzerland

The British IG Bank has compiled a list of the most sustainable Swiss cities. According to this, Zurich is considered the most sustainable city in Switzerland. Lausanne, Bern, Lucerne, St.Gallen, Lugano, Geneva and Basel follow Zurich.

For its ranking, the bank used government data sources from the eight largest cities. She then combined the results with evaluations from international agencies. The focal points in determining sustainability included air quality, the use of public transport, the proportion of recreational areas, the population density and the proportion of populated areas.

IG Bank emphasizes that Zurich is not only the most sustainable, but also the largest city in Switzerland. This makes the top position all the more impressive. Zurich did well in all areas. However, the use of public transport was particularly decisive. According to the bank, 67.1 percent of residents use some form of public transport. This is one of the main reasons for the good air quality in the city. As a further highlight, IG Bank highlights the fact that Zurich has its own government department for sustainable building. This focuses on creating a 2000 watt society.

IG Bank is convinced that current and future investments will be strongly oriented towards sustainability. The aim of their ranking is to "highlight Switzerland's commitment to sustainability". In addition, the data should serve as an “indicator for future trends and show what other big cities could do to repeat Switzerland's success”.

April 2021
Genome researchers at the Irchel campus get a new laboratory

The Functional Genomics Center Zurich (FGCZ) of the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) is getting a new building on the Irchel campus. The groundbreaking is in May. As general contractor, Implenia AG Switzerland and SAM Architects AG Zurich are responsible for the planning and implementation. With their project, they won a selection procedure from the cantonal building construction office in Zurich in March, according to a media release .

Accordingly, a new laboratory building of 1300 square meters is planned. This offers space for 20 different room types. This should accommodate high-tech devices that have different requirements in terms of room climate, temperature, power consumption and availability.

In addition to the laboratories, a new type of office concept is also being created, which offers different opportunities for community and privacy. This new working environment is intended to make work easier for genome researchers and external users, according to the press release. If everything goes according to plan, the 80 employees at the Functional Genomics Center Zurich could move in summer 2022.

The old building of the genome researchers on the Irchel campus is meanwhile being cleared for temporary use. From 2023, three secondary schools in the canton of Zurich are to move in there. After about ten years, the buildings are to be renovated and handed over again for university purposes.

Accordingly, the new laboratory building is a temporary solution. It consists of modules that can easily be dismantled and recycled. Because: After 15 years, the scientists should move back into their traditional building.

April 2021
LafargeHolcim reports record high quarterly results

According to a release from LafargeHolcim , the globally active Zug-based building materials group generated net sales of CHF 5.36 billion in the first quarter of 2021. In a year-on-year comparison and adjusted for portfolio changes, this corresponds to growth of 7.4 percent. The recurring operating result at EBIT level rose in the same period on a comparable basis by 130.7 percent to 528 million Swiss francs.

"I am pleased to announce that we made an excellent start to the year with a record high Q1 result," said Group CEO Jan Jenisch in the announcement. "We are thus continuing our strong growth trajectory of the last few quarters."

Jenisch expects to be able to strengthen the growth dynamic with the acquisition of Firestone Building Products , which was completed in the reporting quarter. The American company, which specializes in building envelopes and roof systems and is based in Nashville, Tennessee, had annual sales of $ 1.8 billion in 2020. The successful integration of the new acquisition should enable LafargeHolcim to achieve its targets for 2022 in the current financial year. Specifically, on a comparable basis, the Group is aiming for a growth in net sales of 3 to 5 percent and an increase in recurring EBIT of at least 10 percent.

LafargeHolcim can also point to success in the area of sustainability. The group was named the most sustainable company in the construction industry by Vigeo-Eiris, according to the announcement. The rating agency for the environment, social affairs and governance has given LafargeHolcim the top grade A1 +. In addition, ten environmentally friendly products from the group, including the sustainable concrete from the ECOPact series, were recognized by the Solar Impulse Foundation . hs

April 2021
Three quarters of the population live in cities

Swiss cities have experienced a “real renaissance” in recent years, according to a press release by the Swiss Association of Cities and the Federal Statistical Office on the occasion of the publication of their yearbook “ Statistics of Swiss Cities 2021 ” with the focus on “Living in the City”. In the 80s and 90s of the last century, many people moved from the city to the countryside, today three quarters of the Swiss population live in the cities again.

Most of them are at home in three-room apartments. In contrast, the vast majority of owners in Swiss cities, at 86.5 percent, have an apartment with four or more rooms. The smaller the community, the higher the proportion of single-family homes. In the case of multi-family houses, the opposite is true: in the largest cities, they make up an average of more than 43 percent. For the remaining cities, this is less than 33 percent.

The bigger the city, the more tenants there are. The age structure within a municipality or city is roughly the same everywhere in Switzerland. Also, only 5 percent more people are single in cities than in rural areas. A total of 31 percent of city dwellers are foreign nationals. Outside it is only 20 percent.

In Switzerland as a whole, non-profit housing construction only accounts for 1.3 percent. In large cities, on the other hand, the average is 11.4 percent, and in the city of Zurich even 22.4 percent.

In urban politics, the FDP (27.2 percent) and SP (20.6 percent) set the tone, followed by the CVP (15.1 percent, minus 0.2 percent compared to the previous year) and the SVP (11.4 Percent, minus 0.2 percent). The Greens gained 0.8 percent over the previous year and are now 7.7 percent.

April 2021
Dietikon takes part in Zurich's image campaign

The image campaign for Zurich's cities and municipalities starts on April 26th under the motto: There for you. Your Zurich communities. The city of Dietikon is also there, as a media release shows . The campaign is supported by the Association of Zurich Community Clerks and Administrative Experts (VZGV) and the participating cities and municipalities. It includes billboard advertising, videos and a special page on the Internet. The aim of the communication is to make residents aware of the wide range of services that city and municipal administrations provide on a daily basis. With “great commitment and a high level of quality awareness”, as it is called there.

The campaign in Dietikon will also start on April 26th. The services are to be presented in striking motifs. For example, several symbols such as wedding rings, a voting envelope, but also a dome lid to cover a sewer pipe are shown on the online campaign page. The latter is accompanied by a video about the laying of such lines. If you click on one of the symbols, a new window opens with comprehensive information.

The campaign is to run in three phases. After the first part, which is now starting, the VZGV wants to start the second part in autumn to present Zurich's cities and municipalities as attractive employers. The final third part of the campaign is to follow in 2022. In it, the municipalities will present themselves as companies and present their offers for training and any further training.

April 2021
St.Gallen gets a new hotel

HRS Real Estate AG will start work on the renovation of the Villa Wiesental and a new hotel building on April 26, according to a media release . The building permit was recently received by HRS and the City of St.Gallen Pension Fund. Since the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony will not take place due to the corona situation, the initiators are planning a ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for June.

The combination of Villa Wiesental renovation and new hotel building is an "excellent urban development solution", according to HRS Real Estate. Both the historical building and the urban development in the Bahnhof Nord district are taken into account. After the renovation, the Pension Fund Stadt St.Gallen would like to offer representative office space in the Villa Wiesental.

After the planned construction period of two years, the new hotel will be operated by Hotel Wiesental St.Gallen AG. It will have around 100 rooms. Both the hotel's parking area and the publicly accessible ground floor should contribute to the revitalization and upgrading of the quarter.

April 2021
Hotel Rotbuche: energy efficiency, ecology and comfort
- Hotel Rotbuche:
  Energy efficiency, ecology and comfort were the requirements and specifications for the energy supply and the energy system.
- The energy
  supply system.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Hotel Rotbuche in Rapperswil-Jona took place in mid-February of last year. The three requirements and specifications for the energy supply and the energy system for the new hotel were clear: energy efficiency, ecology and comfort. In order to implement these requirements, geothermal probes were drilled as an energy source for the heat pump and a sustainable energy concept was developed in cooperation with Energie Zürichsee Linth (EZL). EZL will also operate and maintain the building technology as a contractor.
Heat recovery measures
"The reversible heat pump can be used to provide heat for heating purposes and for domestic hot water," explains Roman Fausch, project manager for energy services at EZL. In summer there is the possibility of cooling the building in an energy-efficient way using geothermal probes, according to the expert. If there is a high need for cooling, there is also the option of using cold from the reversible heat pump. Various heat recovery measures are also installed and, thanks to an intelligent control system, also regulated as required. "In connection with energy and sustainability, it is one of the most sustainable hotel projects that we have been able to plan and implement," says Stefano Ghisleni, general planner at Ghisleni Partner AG, based in Rapperswil, Zurich, St. Gallen and Zug.
At the Moxy Hotel Rotbuche, the natural heat comes from a depth of around 200 to 250 meters. The 23 probes, distributed over the entire construction area, withdraw 10 to 15 degrees from the ground. The heat is fed into the heat pump in the building using a carrier fluid and converted. This is how it gets into the hotel's heating and air conditioning system. The entire length of the geothermal probe control system is more than five kilometers.
Reduction of the room temperature by up to four degrees
Those responsible for the project emphasize that the basic need for room cooling in the warmer seasons in the Hotel Rotbuche can be covered with the environmentally friendly free cooling system. This means that the room temperature can be reduced by up to four degrees. This has a positive side effect: the dissipated heat is in turn temporarily stored in the geothermal probes and can be used for hot water preparation or in winter for heat supply. A photovoltaic system is installed on the roof to operate the heat pump. With around thirty percent, it should provide sufficient coverage to cover part of the electricity demand. "The moderately controlled balancing of heat and cold makes a continuous room climate possible without massive temperature fluctuations," says project manager Roman Fausch. The first guests will be able to feel this for themselves from the coming autumn. At this point in time, the new “Rotbuche” hotel with its 86 rooms is due to open. ■
April 2021
Office floor in NEST is being built so that it can be recycled

The office unit in NEST called Sprint is intended to set new standards for circular building. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place in mid-April. It should be finished in summer. Sprint is located on the first floor of NEST in Dübendorf. The three-storey modular building is the research and innovation center of the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute ( Empa ) and the water research institute of the ETH Domain ( Eawag ).

As stated in a press release by Empa, those involved in the planning concentrated on finding the most general solutions possible for a later dismantling. In doing so, they follow a design approach that facilitates future changes and dismantling to recover systems, components and materials. Today's buildings have to be built in such a way “that their components can be fed back into cycles”, says Kerstin Müller, managing architect at baubüro in situ and managing director of Zirkular GmbH .

Your colleague Oliver Seidel points out that reusing materials is often associated with lower costs. “But the added value lies in another area: Re-use is more sustainable. And in terms of quality there is no loss. ”On the contrary. For example, the aesthetics of an old wooden parquet floor represent added value.

"For the first time, Empa is combining the approach of reuse and the market requirements of fast and flexible construction," Enrico Marchesi, innovation manager and project manager at NEST, is quoted as saying. "With the new 'Sprint' unit, we want to show that these needs can be met together."

April 2021
JED gets neon and icons

The JED in Schlieren is to be supplemented by art in architecture, informs a corresponding report on the website of the center in Schlieren. Art in architecture creates identity and meaning and shows the way, it says at the beginning. The owner Swiss Prime Site hired the artists Roland Ammann and Gregory Gilbert-Lodge to realize the works of art in JED.

Glassblower Roland Amman comes from Neonhaus Ammann and has dedicated himself to the creation of three-dimensional works of art from neon after the lighting industry switched from neon to LED. For the JED he will create three oversized letters, a J, an E and a D. Amman has already installed the first work of art on the ceiling of the Jake barista bar. At first glance, the object, which looks like a fragile shining ball, turns out to be a J on closer inspection, says the report. “I like it when my art has several levels and the hidden only becomes recognizable at a second or third glance,” artist Ammann is quoted there.

On the wall of the barista bar, visitors can already see the first work of art by Gregory Gilbert-Lodge in the JED. The independent illustrator has provided the bar with an oversized portrait of its namesake Jake in green. Jake is supposed to represent building J and give the bar “a face”, it says in the report.

Gilbert-Lodge designed portraits of Eve and Didi for buildings E and D. “The fictional characters in the JED should act as icons,” explains the artist in the report. The values and ideas embodied by them, "even an attitude towards life", are what the icons give to the individual buildings, says Gilbert-Lodge.

April 2021
Limmatstadt welcomes Integral as a new shareholder

The location promotion organization Limmatstadt AG has got a new shareholder in Schlieremer Integral design-build AG. According to managing director Jasmina Ritz, the Limmatstadt now has a total of 170 shareholders and twelve network partners.
According to a press release, Integral design-build AG has specialized in the area of new working environments. However, the Schlierem-based company also offers overall services for interior design in general. This ranges from workplace management and design to turnkey handover. Integral takes over all phases of development, planning and implementation of working environments, it says there. With the maximum use of digital processes and 3D tools, the new working worlds would be visualized and a smooth planning and construction process would be ensured.
Last year, Integral implemented the new work environment for Halter AG and its sister companies in JED Schlieren .
The company was founded in 2016 as W21 Innenausbau AG by Peter Pfiffner – owner of Pfiffner AG in Altstetten – and Michael Peter. Today, Integral, as a sister company of Halter AG, has twelve employees in the areas of architecture, design and execution. The company is currently overseeing 30 ongoing projects across Switzerland.

April 2021
ETH Zurich helps with the construction of the Zug wooden high-rise

A ten-story office building with wooden components is to be built on the Suurstoffi site in Risch Rotkreuz. With a height of 80 meters, it will be one of the tallest wooden houses ever, as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ) writes in an article. A lot of basic research is also required for the construction. Due to fire protection, this type of construction has only been allowed in Switzerland since 2015.

According to the article, basic research for the new building is being carried out in the ETH building hall on the Hönggerberg. There, for example, it is simulated how the timber structure would behave in strong winds. Computer models are not always sufficient for such simulations. This is why experiments are carried out in the ETH building hall. "For us, testing something usually means loading it until it is destroyed," explains Dominik Werne, head of the construction hall, in the article. In the case of innovations in particular, computer models have to be validated through tests, adds Andrea Frangi, Professor of Timber Construction at the Institute for Structural Analysis at ETH.

Tests on the structure of the Zug high-rise are currently being carried out in the building hall. This is planned by the Zurich engineering firm WaltGalmarini and built by the general contractor Implenia . After the tests at the ETH, the researchers decide together with engineers from WaltGalmarini which systems Implenia should use during construction.

April 2021
City of Baden starts revision of land use planning

With the opening event on Saturday, May 29, the participation of the people of Baden in the revision of the land use planning of the city of Baden begins. According to the press release, this revision should take place in several phases and bring a result by 2025, which will then be submitted to the residents' council and the government council for approval.

After 25 years in which various partial revisions have taken place, it is time to undertake an overall revision, the message says. It is about the structural development in view of the expected growth and the effects on settlement, traffic and open space. The guideline for the overall revision is the spatial development concept 2040 of the city of Baden. The structure plan of the canton of Aargau predicts a population growth of plus 34 percent or 6330 people for the city of Baden from 2013 to 2040. At the same time, Baden is listed on the structure plan map as an economic development focus of cantonal importance.

The public should be actively involved in the revision of the land use planning, according to the announcement. Information events, dialogue events, walks and workshops take place regularly under the motto “Baden will”. All information on participation can be found on the wiewird.baden.ch website, which was activated on Wednesday.

The revision of the land-use planning is currently in the first phase, which will determine the process and basis this spring. In the second, a good two-year phase, the draft of the new land use plan is drawn up. In the third phase from 2023 the formal participation and public edition will take place, with the possibility of submitting entries and objections. The third phase will be completed by the city council approving the land use planning revision, is explained in the press release. In phase four, the residents' council and the government council approve the revised land use plan.

April 2021
Kompotoi feels the spring

With spring comes the need for toilets in public spaces again. Kompotoi , the Zurich-based provider of composting toilets, has been back in the city of Zurich with over 20 of its toilets since last Monday in March. You can find them on the Saffainstel near Landiwiese, on Bullingerplatz and in Hohensteinpark on the Uetliberg, as the company reports.

Kompotoi is also continuing its expansion into Germany this year. After the company delivered its toilet houses in Germany from Darmstadt, this year it is also represented in Munich. In Switzerland, Kompotoi supplies not only from Zurich, but also from Basel, Bern, Freiburg, Graubünden, Lausanne, Martigny and St.Gallen, and now also from Wohlen BE.

Kompotoi toilets process the human legacy into a soil conditioner without using chemicals or flushing. They are handcrafted in Switzerland. Kompotoi sells and rents out the facilities.

April 2021
Unused potential in the cooperation between location promotion and the real estate industry

At first glance, business promotion and the real estate sector differ significantly. While location subsidies are usually borne by the public sector – federal government, cantons, cities, municipalities – real estate service providers are in the vast majority of cases private companies. This means that the former are non-profit organizations and the latter are for-profit companies. Location promoters want to win companies over to their sphere of activity and keep them for as long as possible; they are therefore interested in a long-term relationship. Real estate actors, on the other hand, are usually deal-oriented, which leads to comparatively short customer relationships. What is at the center of the activities is only clear from the naming: locations on the one hand, real estate on the other.
More similarities than differences
At second glance, however, there are important similarities. First and foremost, there are the customers, who are often the same, since a company looking for a new location is always looking for a new property. In the opposite case, the same is not always true, but in most cases. Because when a company needs a new property, for example because the existing one has become too small, the evaluation process usually also gives thought to the advantages and disadvantages of a change of location. The second thing in common is the property itself: no company can do without the four classic production factors of labor, capital, knowledge and land. Both location promoters and real estate players support their customers in optimizing the land or property factor. In doing so, they make an important contribution to their customers and support them in meeting their goals.
Benefit from each other
Due to the common ground there is great potential to benefit from each other. For example, both sides can gain advantages in marketing: The real estate industry can serve as a potent multiplier of the message of a location promoter, because real estate service providers are in direct contact with companies looking for new properties. This channel is still underutilized by location promoters. Conversely, real estate professionals are very interested in knowing the real estate needs of those looking for a location as precisely as possible in order to be able to provide a competitive offer. This information can in turn be provided by the location promotion.
to create transparency
In order to be able to create synergies, transparency is first and foremost necessary: Instead of staying among each other, the promotion of the location and the real estate industry have to merge, establish common platforms and exchange information. Both physical and digital platforms are available to them for this purpose. Real estate fairs are a good opportunity to meet face-to-face, maintain existing contacts and make new ones. At the international level, the MIPIM in Cannes in March and the EXPO REAL in Munich in October each year. For more than 20 years, there has been a Swiss joint stand at both trade fairs, which allows Swiss companies and locations to present themselves at a reasonable budget. The IMMO'Messe in Zurich, which is held in January each year, has established itself in Switzerland. This is where real estate investors present themselves and meet market participants of all kinds. Although the IMMO 'has long since established itself as a meeting point for the industry, locations and their representatives are still seldom to be found there. In addition to the trade fairs, there is a wide range of congresses that offer opportunities to maintain contacts around lectures and expert discussions. In addition, location promoters and real estate players can choose from a large number of network events. They are offered by associations, interest groups, locations and private companies.
Online is catching up
In today's pandemic-ruled times, online platforms have gained in importance. On the one hand, industry experts can make themselves heard by appearing at webinars and ensure broad awareness. Examples include the Real Estate Brains or Metropole Insights discussion platforms. On the other hand, online databases have become established that can be used by location promoters and real estate professionals alike. For example, companies can contact swisscircle-member.ch
present. Realestate-experts.ch is ideal for individuals and top-projekte.ch for larger real estate projects. In addition to these offers, every market player is called upon to use social media tools such as LinkedIn or Xing for themselves.
Networking
There are hardly any projects that can be carried out on your own – be it as a location promoter or as a real estate professional. As a rule, every actor depends on useful information, benevolent market participants, efficient suppliers and / or cooperative partners. That is why a good network is essential. This requires personal commitment and a wise choice of platforms for maintaining and expanding one's contacts. Such networks are providers of such networks as SVSM, Swiss Circle, SVIT, RISC, ULI and Fiabci.
Ideas to improve collaboration
There are already numerous opportunities to intensify the cooperation between location promotion and the real estate industry. At the same time, however, there is also potential that is still largely unused. In this way, locations could present themselves on the major real estate portals and get in touch there with companies looking for a new property. Or more congresses or events could be organized that are aimed at both location promoters and real estate service providers. Ultimately, those offers will prevail which strengthen the participants' perception in the market, allow the exchange of experiences and support the maintenance of the personal network.

April 2021
Shed Zug: "Every visit to us is unique"

Can you even plan the construction and opening of a gastronomy concept like the Shedhalle in today's crisis-ridden times?
Lina Fluri: The current situation certainly doesn't make planning the opening easy. However, we are adjusting to the originally planned opening date and are constantly watching how the situation develops. The construction was only marginally influenced by the pandemic and could therefore be carried out without major problems.
In retrospect, what were the most important changes due to the corona pandemic?
We recognize significant changes in the difficulty of planning certain projects and uncertainty about future developments. In addition, the home office has fundamentally shaken up the world of work. What was only possible physically in the past is now easily achieved digitally. This development will have far-reaching consequences for various industries and types of work.
Can you give an example?
In the catering industry in particular, people's consumer behavior has changed. Take-away food has become more important. The need of people to cultivate more social contacts again is great and will become noticeable in a rush to restaurants and bars after a relaxation. One or the other guest will probably spend an above-average amount of money to satisfy the appetite for social experiences.
All are corona tired. Can you get something positive out of this long time without meetings and events?
I believe that the corona pandemic caused a lot of suffering for many people. However, there are certainly branches and industries that have benefited enormously in these times of crisis. On a personal level, I notice that life has slowed down a bit, that we are increasingly focusing on the essentials again and appreciating the little things more, which is basically a very nice development.
The Shedhalle is intended for smaller events. Is that an advantage nowadays?
The Shed is characterized by its enormous flexibility. We can hold events for 6 to 300 people and always put together an attractive offer for the customer. However, the focus is on events between 20 and 100 people, which can be an advantage in the coming years. We close a big gap in the market with our private dining rooms, which can be booked for meetings of all kinds. The cozy rooms leave nothing to be desired and offer the customer the unique opportunity to combine business with high-quality cuisine.
The special industrial charm of the Shedhalle is emphasized again and again. What do you mean by that?
The Shedhalle will remain as one of two monuments from the industrial beginnings of Zug and is prepared for the next 50 to 100 years. We have tried to carry on the industrial touch with a lot of charm and passion and have created a place where industry meets contemporary and modern architecture. The industrial charm is noticeable in our attention to detail and in the respectful handling of the history of this place.
Lina Fluri, Shedhalle project manager.

April 2021
New life for the old spinning mill

"The winning project was selected on the one hand because of the urban development strategy on the northern area, and on the other hand because of the respectful handling of the listed old buildings", says the lead architect Urs Oechslin from Zurich-based Lilin Architects. The two new building ensembles in the foreground of the spinning mill, which are intended for different uses, create a reference to the context through their urban planning anchored in place. The volumetric differentiation is derived from the existing settlement pattern of the urbanized village. The sub-volumes are staggered in terms of depth and height and allow different views of the spinning mill. The building typology thus mediates with great independence between the individual village buildings and the large-scale spinning mill building. In this way, the spinning mill area is given a new, urban face in which the various identities of the building history are superimposed.
Desired longevity
Immediately after the study contract, the overall project was concretized, accompanied by the client, the building authorities, the preservation of monuments and representatives from the assessment committee and the neighborhood: "We are about to submit the draft of the development plan and the guideline project to a first round of official consultation" , so Oechslin. It is not easy to build a building park around the spinning mill that can keep up with the quality of the monument and whose beauty and benefits guarantee the desired longevity. In the immediate vicinity of such a monument, the demands on the architectural quality are very high. The cultural acceptance associated with aesthetics is more decisive for the value of the property than some technical innovations. What is no longer publicly pleasing will sooner or later be torn down. What, on the other hand, enjoys a social and cultural status, remains. The real meaning of a house ultimately lies in the contribution it makes to public life in the long term. Urs Oechslin: “If the population, the Baar community and the owners are successful in promising a place of great attraction, then the project will be approved by all authorities. It will have a political majority and will be supported by the broader population. "
Sustainable renewal
For some time now, the «Spinni» has not served the purpose for which it was originally built. Since the end of production, a wide variety of uses have established themselves in the rooms. The clear and simple building structure of the spinning mill building is functionally sustainable because user extensions integrated in it can be easily adapted to changes. The high quality longevity of the basic structure achieved in this way is also aimed at for the new buildings. That is why it is being adapted for the new mixed-use buildings. As a result, the proposed building structure is not tied to a specific use and will survive future renovation processes.
A coherent whole
The historically and structurally established strong identity of the area is a large fund from which any number of ideas can be realized. Time and again it is important to find suitable means to further develop, reinterpret and supplement this identity. In this way, the high level of social acceptance that the area enjoys today is to be further expanded. "Our motivation is to design a new, staggered part of the settlement with the intelligent combination of architectural, landscape-architectural and usage-specific interventions on the area of the old spinning mill on the Lorze", says Oechslin. And further: “This takes over the existing qualities and complements them adequately and respectfully. The demanding cultural, social, economic, ecological and building law requirements should be combined in a coherent whole in the interests of all those involved. "
The new use of «Spinni» needs to be carefully considered and planned.

April 2021
From paper to quarters

“The construction progress of the five buildings of the first construction phase is on schedule despite the pandemic,” says the person responsible for communication, Kathrin Sonderegger. In the southernmost high-rise building with condominiums (Papieri-Suites), the shell is already up to the fifth floor. In the former PM1-4 paper machine halls, new staircases, floor ceilings and apartment partition walls are being installed, as well as the renovation of the facade for the spacious loft apartments and studios (Papieri-Lofts). The new building with 160 rental apartments running parallel to this – 30 of them in the inexpensive range – is also well advanced in terms of shell construction. The Maschinengasse that is emerging between the two buildings is also slowly becoming recognizable. This will be animated at the end of 2022 by the various users of the one or two-story adjoining studios. Underground car parks 1 and 2 are currently under construction, and their parking spaces can be equipped with charging stations for electric cars in a future-proof manner.
Planning of the second construction phase is well advanced
The newly renovated and listed Lokremise was handed over to its new owner at the end of the year. Sonderegger says: "After the renovation of the workshop building, the second commercial conversion of a historic building on the site became a reality." At the end of the year, the construction of the new Ringstrasse (Papieri-Ring) began, which is part of the main development of the area and encircles the buildings of the second construction phase. As part of the second construction phase, in addition to the commercially used replacement building for the silo building, two high-rise residential buildings with 61 owner-occupied and 36 rental apartments will be built. Commercial space and a day-care center are planned on the ground floors. 64 micro-apartments complete the housing offer.
CO2-neutral energy system
Those responsible for the site development pursue the goals of the 2000 Watt Society. It is worth mentioning the sustainable energy supply of the Papieri area with a self-sufficient, CO2-neutral heating and cooling supply. A significant amount of electricity is generated by the company's own river power plant and photovoltaic systems on the building roofs. The construction of the energy center has been completed and the installation of the technical systems is in full swing. Also as part of the energy system, around 100 geothermal probes have already been drilled and installed to a depth of 320 meters. The energy system will be put into operation in autumn 2021, so that the existing houses and the buildings under construction can already be supplied with sustainable heat this winter. “In addition to the building permit, the canton's concession for the operation of the run-of-river power plant is available, the renovation of which will start in early summer 2021. The area of the former wastewater treatment plant (ARA) will be completely renatured, landscaped and supplemented with a small river arm ”, says Sonderegger.
Huge interest
The Cham Group is already seeing a great deal of interest from the population: "The residents find out what is happening on the site and we try to get updates accordingly," says Sonderegger. Unfortunately, the corona pandemic is currently making events such as the open construction site day in 2019 for residents and interested parties impossible. The reactions at the time were overwhelming. “The same thing can also be seen in sales: there is great confidence in our site development and the quarter that is being created here. The first apartments that came on the market at the end of 2019 were reserved within a week. Over 3000 people have subscribed to our newsletter. » One reason for the trust is that the Cham Group will be there as the owner and builder. The team has its offices on the site and is on the pulse of what's happening. Suggestions can be reacted to, feedback and inputs flow directly, and any reservations are defused.
On June 4, 2020, when the foundation stone was laid, a time capsule was filled with objects typical of the time and built into the foundation of the first construction phase. It should document the building project for future generations. What was the most special item? Sonderegger explains with a laugh: “In view of the fact that we can't even have lunch in a restaurant at the moment, and many people miss this time together in the team, the current menu cards from the surrounding restaurants are items of particular relevance. Who knows whether meat will still be eaten in 100 years' time – then minced meat tats might be part of a forgotten meal. "

April 2021