immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Zurich

  • Fresh capital for data-based planning in the construction industry

    Fresh capital for data-based planning in the construction industry

    The Zurich-based start-up vyzn has successfully completed its seed financing round. According to a press release, this was led by the venture capital companies Spicehaus Partners from Zug and Kiilto Ventures, part of the Kiilto chemicals group based in Finland. Other strategic investors from the construction and real estate sectors were also involved. The amount of the newly raised capital is not disclosed. The capital is now intended to pave the way for expanding the portfolio and driving growth.

    The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH) is led by the founding team, which includes CEO Adrian Henke, CTO Romana Rust, COO Martino Tschudi and CCO Michael Sinniger. The aim is to transform the planning of new construction and renovation projects with the help of data-based analyses. And soon, it is said, the vyzn software will cover more than just life cycle assessment and energy efficiency and enable early, precise and cost-effective planning iterations. The integration of data on recyclability, cost estimation and thermal comfort has also been announced. The basis for this is a recent technological breakthrough: vyzn can now automatically convert architectural models into fully simulatable 3D models.

    Growing demand from European markets is emphasized. Expansion into Germany is imminent; the vyzn software is set to be used by the first customers there as early as the beginning of 2026. The start-up is also looking to expand its team with a view to further expansion. Customers already include over 50 companies such as Zurich Airport, Implenia, Halter, Pensimo and Amstein-Walthert.

    “With vyzn, we are breaking down the data silos in planning,” says vyzn CEO Adrian Henke. “Our customers use our platform to resolve the contradiction between economical and sustainable construction.”

  • Sustainable office property strengthens real estate portfolio

    Sustainable office property strengthens real estate portfolio

    Swiss Prime Site has acquired a new office property on Pfingstweidstrasse in Zurich-West, as detailed in a press release. The property, which has a rental area of 19,000 square meters and a net yield of 3.8 percent, is already fully let to the stock exchange operator SIX Group Services AG.

    The acquisition marks the last major investment of the CHF 300 million capital increase for growth investments from last February. In April and August, Swiss Prime Site had already used the funds to acquire office properties in Geneva and Lausanne. All new acquisitions generate yields that are significantly higher than the portfolio yield and increase the net asset value (NAV) per share as well as the funds from operations (FFO) per share.

    Swiss Prime Site and the private seller have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the property. Due to the recent year of construction, the sustainable construction method and the office building’s district heating connection, Swiss Prime Site expects a BREEAM sustainability rating of “very good”.

    “The transaction underscores our focus on first-class, centrally located office properties and shows how agile we are in deploying fresh capital for sustainable growth. It is particularly pleasing that we were able to acquire this prestigious property – used by the Swiss stock exchange as our country’s central infrastructure – as part of an exclusive purchase review and thanks to the trusting cooperation with the seller”, René Zahnd, CEO of Swiss Prime Site, is quoted in the press release.

    With the three acquisitions made and a reduction in the planned property sales as part of capital recycling, Swiss Prime Site expects an increase in rental income of CHF 20 million from 2026. The transaction was completed on December 1, 2025.

  • How much of the past can densification tolerate?

    How much of the past can densification tolerate?

    The Brunnergut estate was built in two stages in the mid-1950s and early 1960s and marked the transition to the functionalist, automotive city. As one of Winterthur’s first residential ensembles with underground parking, it replaced the Villa Malabar and reshaped an entire inner block between Lindstrasse, Kreuzstrasse, Sulzbergstrasse and St. Georgenstrasse. The 1954 planning application itself sparked a fierce controversy. Early debates about density, traffic and cityscape, as they occupy the entire agglomeration today

    in 2016, the city of Winterthur added Brunnergut to the inventory of buildings worthy of protection, followed by its entry in the cantonal inventory of listed buildings of supra-municipal importance in 2018. This made it clear that the estate was not only considered everyday architecture, but also an ensemble with architectural and socio-historical significance that should be taken into account in any further planning

    Legal ping-pong over protection
    With the cantonal dismissal in 2024, the building department wanted to relax the protection status again. Based on an expert opinion from the cantonal monument preservation commission and subsequent additions. The Zurich Heritage Society challenged this, and the Building Appeal Court demanded a supplementary or top-level expert opinion during the proceedings and criticized gaps in the expert assessment

    At the same time, the Winterthur city council planned to remove Brunnergut from the municipal inventory. The Zurich Heritage Society lodged another appeal against this. In its decision of November 6, 2025, the Building Appeals Court has now ruled that the city is unlawfully relying unilaterally on the KDK report and that the facts of the case have not been sufficiently clarified for the property to be removed from the inventory. The judges demanded an expert opinion from an independent expert who had not previously been involved. A clear signal for higher requirements for the justification of de-protection decisions

    More than just a technical issue of monument preservation
    The criticism focuses not only on formal deficiencies, but also on gaps in content. Imprecise plans, insufficient discussion of the qualities identified in the inventory sheet and an insufficient appreciation of the social and economic-historical significance. Specifically, the court criticized the fact that the role of the estate as an early example of dense, car-oriented post-war modernism and as part of Winterthur’s settlement history was not seriously included in the comparison with other estates

    For urban planning and the real estate industry, Brunnergut is therefore far more than an isolated case. The procedure shows how strongly inventory decisions must be legally and professionally underpinned today if they are to survive in an environment of housing shortages, pressure to densify and politically heated debates about objections and heritage protection

    What the case means for future projects
    The Zürcher Heimatschutz sees the decision as a strengthening of the inventory concept. Inventories are not mere lists, but planning instruments that must meet high standards before they can be dismantled. For cities like Winterthur, this means that anyone wishing to subsequently remove protection must transparently explain why arguments relating to building culture, urban development and social history outweigh the interests of densification, renewal or returns

    For investors, owners and planners, this increases the importance of well-documented surveys and early involvement of heritage conservation. Especially in the case of post-war housing estates, which were long regarded as “ordinary” existing buildings. Brunnergut shows that the second half of the 20th century is increasingly understood as part of the architectural heritage and that the path to conversion or replacement construction will in future often lead via independent expert reports and carefully balanced conservation concepts

  • Million-euro financing accelerates autonomous construction site technology

    Million-euro financing accelerates autonomous construction site technology

    Venture capital firms from three continents have invested in Gravis Robotics: The spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, founded in 2022, has raised 23 million dollars in an early financing round, according to its information.

    The round was led by the venture capital companies IQ Capital from London and Zacua Ventures from San Francisco. Pear VC from Palo Alto, California, Imad Ventures from the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, Sunna Ventures from Miami and the Zurich-based company Armada Investment as well as the globally active cement manufacturer Holcim from Zug also participated.

    Gravis Robotics offers autonomous earthmoving machines that combine artificial intelligence, machine vision and human interfaces to increase throughput, reduce waste and improve safety on construction sites, whether the operators are in the cab or coordinating the work remotely.

    With the recent funding, Gravis now has the technology, partnerships and global distribution channels across the industry to drive the adoption of true autonomy on a large scale, the company said. In addition, it also announced “a wave” of new industry partnerships. For example, Gravis Robotics has partnered with Taylor Woodrow in the UK on a major infrastructure project at Manchester Airport, carrying out the first autonomous excavation work on a major active construction site in the country. There are also agreements with Holcim and the South Korean company HD Hyundai.

    The fastest route to autonomy is through increasing productivity, CEO Dr. Ryan Luke Johns is quoted as saying. “By providing operators with real-time 3D intelligence and the ability to seamlessly switch between autonomy and advanced control, we are covering more of the work, accelerating the application and creating the data pipeline needed to learn new skills from the industry’s most challenging tasks.“ The company considers it an advantage to have its Zurich headquarters “at the heart of the renowned robotics and automation ecosystem”.

  • Bassersdorf plans the next growth step

    Bassersdorf plans the next growth step

    Today, around 90 people work at the Pöschen, Gmeindwisen site on over 90,000 square meters. Over the next 20 years, 600 to 800 new jobs are to be created there and living space for around 1,200 people.
    With the further conversion of all plots, additional space for 100 to 200 more jobs and around 300 more residents is planned. The basis for this is the rezoning to a five-storey residential and commercial zone with a design plan obligation, which has been legally binding since February 2024. The development will take place in stages over several decades, with existing businesses retaining their place.

    Traffic, public transport and “low-car” concept
    The focus of the dialog with the population was on traffic. Questions were asked about parking, access and the future of the bus station. The planning team emphasized the clear focus on public transport. The district is not intended to accommodate through traffic, residents’ cars will be parked in underground garages and no new park-and-ride areas are planned. Despite the development of the area, the planned bypass will remain possible. Those responsible expect to attract a younger, more public transport-oriented population.

    Green spaces, neighborhood life and phasing
    The approximately 50 attendees were particularly positive about the generous green and open spaces, squares and connecting paths. The winning project structures the area into clearly recognizable neighbourhoods, with a noise-shielding block along Zürichstrasse, workplace-oriented uses towards the tracks and diverse residential areas in between. This structure facilitates implementation in stages. Complete realization is expected in ten to fifteen years.

    Political backing and participation
    Mayor Christian Pfaller and the landowners reaffirmed their support for the winning project and the long-term development of a diverse, sustainable district. As the municipality does not own any land itself, it is reliant on a cooperative approach with the owners. A school building is not required. Kindergarten and daycare facilities are planned, which the municipality intends to buy into. With the 2022 building and zoning regulations, the electorate approved the transformation to a mixed zone in principle, but at the same time anchored a design plan obligation. The current consultation event is part of this communication process. The feedback will now be incorporated into the indicative project, which will form the basis for the public design plan, which is expected to be discussed again next year.

  • 27 years of commitment to Schlieren’s transformation

    27 years of commitment to Schlieren’s transformation

    Albert Schweizer has been shaping the economic development of the city of Schlieren since 1998, i.e. for over 27 years. During this time, he has not only located companies and organized space, but also led dialogues between business, politics and administration. Always with a clear philosophy, networks and trust instead of blind optimization of figures.

    “Schlieren has grown rapidly, but in a controlled manner, with location promotion that is not just based on figures, but on networks and trust,” is an apt description of Albert Schweizer’s approach. A classic industrial city has become a dynamic technology location.

    From industry to biotechnology
    Schweizer’s ability to consistently turn opportunities into projects made all the difference. He organized spaces, untied knots, launched festivals and created the conditions for companies to settle and grow in Schlieren. The transformation of former industrial wasteland into centers of biotechnology and medical technology is particularly impressive. A strategic change that repositioned Schlieren.

    Well-deserved retirement
    Albert Schweizer will take his well-deserved retirement next spring 2026. This will mark the end of an era for the city of Schlieren, but his mark will remain – in the networks he has built up, in the projects he has initiated and in the culture of location promotion that he has helped to shape.

    “We are proud of how Schlieren has developed,” says Mayor Markus Bärtschiger, paying tribute to Albert Schweizer’s achievements.

    Albert Schweizer’s retirement marks the departure of not only an experienced location promoter, but also the architect of modern Schlieren. His award is a well-deserved finale to an influential career that shows that sustainable development comes from people – people who not only manage the economy, but also build trust.

  • Power from the parquet floor

    Power from the parquet floor

    Instead of oak, which is becoming increasingly scarce, the project relies on poplar wood, a fast-growing, climate-tolerant deciduous tree that has hardly been used in the parquet market to date. Using “green chemistry” and the incorporation of lignin from the paper industry, the soft poplar wood is compressed and hardened so that its mechanical properties and surface quality are comparable to oak parquet

    This development addresses two challenges at once. Securing the supply of wood under climate change conditions and substituting petroleum-based floor coverings with bio-based, recyclable products. For manufacturers, this also opens up the possibility of transforming regional, previously “second-rate” wood species into high-quality design flooring

    Parquet sensor and energy source
    The second innovative step lies in the integration of piezoelectric functionality. If the wood is elastically deformed when walking, electrical voltage is generated that is too low in its natural state to be of practical use. By embedding Rochelle salt, a by-product of wine production with a strong piezoelectric effect, in a specially structured wood matrix, a hybrid structure is created that delivers significantly higher voltages and yet remains recyclable

    This “salt-in-wood” technology enables parquet slats that act as sensors themselves. They recognize footfall, presence or movement patterns and can generate enough energy to supply wireless sensors or signals locally

    Applications from smart homes to airports
    In the short term, the researchers are targeting sensor applications in smart homes, such as access monitoring on doors and windows or presence-dependent lighting and climate control. In the medium term, the focus is shifting to highly frequented areas such as airports, train stations, shopping centers and cultural venues such as the Tanzhaus Zürich, where millions of steps per year offer considerable potential for energy conversion

    The big challenge now lies in scaling. Material processes, sensor integration, durability and costs must be industrialized in such a way that “Piezo-Parkett” is transformed from a demonstrator into a market-ready product family. A goal that is receiving a boost from industry partnerships and awards such as the nomination for the “Evergreen Prize for Innovation”.

  • Zurich readjusts housing and transport policy

    Zurich readjusts housing and transport policy

    The counter-proposal to the “More affordable housing” initiative is adopted with around 51% of votes in favor. The credit for cantonal housing subsidies increases from CHF 180 million to CHF 360 million. This will provide cooperatives and non-profit developers with additional funds to realize projects in the affordable segment without directly interfering with ownership contracts

    The actual pre-emption initiative was clearly defeated with almost 60 percent of votes against, although the housing shortage is widely recognized. Voters thus accepted the diagnosis of a tight market, but rejected the instrument of a systematic right of first refusal for the municipalities as too much of an encroachment on freedom of ownership and contract

    Canton takes over the speed sceptre
    The mobility initiative is accepted with just under 57% in favor and establishes 50 km/h as the rule on main traffic routes, while 30 km/h remains possible on short stretches and in justified exceptional cases. In future, it will no longer be Zurich and Winterthur but the canton that decides on speed limits on main roads. A change of power that sets tight limits on urban traffic policies

    As a result, voters will strengthen cantonal control of motorized traffic and weaken municipal attempts to implement noise and safety goals more broadly by means of 30 km/h speed limits. For planners and investors, this means more regulatory clarity at the network level, but less scope for neighborhood-related traffic and urban development policy experiments

    Digital rights and premium reduction fail
    The initiative “For a fundamental right to digital integrity” received little support with around 25% of votes in favor. The more moderate counter-proposal was also rejected with a good 55% voting against. Neither an explicit right to a “mobile phone-free life” nor additional constitutional guarantees against surveillance and data analysis were convincing. The canton is therefore not given a constitutionally enhanced mandate in the digital space

    The increase in cantonal premium reductions was also rejected, although around CHF 1.3 billion already flows into this pot today. The No to an additional CHF 50 million per year signals fiscal restraint and leaves low-income households caught between rising healthcare costs and stagnating transfer payments

    Signals for the housing market and planning
    For housing construction in the canton of Zurich, the package means more subsidies, but no new coercive instruments under planning law such as a general right of first refusal. Municipalities and cooperatives must therefore focus their strategies more on cooperation, mobilizing building land and accelerating approval procedures rather than on direct market intervention

    Overall, the vote shows an urban-rural tension. The housing shortage is recognized, but financial incentives and cantonal control are preferred to far-reaching interventions in property rights or everyday mobility. For the real estate industry, planning and politics, this opens up a field in which the implementation of increased housing subsidies becomes a decisive lever.

  • Decentralized wastewater solutions are gaining in importance

    Decentralized wastewater solutions are gaining in importance

    In Switzerland, as in other European countries, wastewater from households is disposed of and treated centrally. Wastewater from toilets, kitchens, washing machines and dishwashers are mixed together. This makes recycling much more difficult. In order to reduce this problem, researchers at the Eawag water research institute in Dübendorf are working on possible decentralized solutions, according to a press release.

    The aim of these solutions is to separate the various wastewater streams at the point of origin. They could then be treated on site or nearby and resources such as clean water, nutrients and energy could be recovered. The Water Research Institute has now launched a toolbox to provide architects and construction planners with an overview of technologies and practical applications. Among other things, it presents various examples of implementation. These range from solutions for individual households to wastewater treatment for entire neighborhoods. The toolbox contains three groups of fact sheets ranging from the definition of objectives and the selection of a strategy to possible application technologies.

  • New urban quarter at Winterthur railroad station

    New urban quarter at Winterthur railroad station

    The Stellwerk 2 project is being built on a site of just 2,000 square meters right next to the train station, combining living, working and mobility in a small space. The new building comprises 66 city apartments and around 2,000 square meters of space for offices, education and healthcare. On the first floor, a spacious retail zone of 700 square meters will provide for public-oriented uses. The aim is to make optimum use of existing railroad land without additional sealing.

    Compact units with one to three and a half rooms will be created on the upper floors. Guest rooms and communal areas promote flexible forms of living and social interaction. An approach that responds to changing urban lifestyles. The project was developed by Zurich-based Esch Sintzel Architekten, which won the 2021 SBB competition in close cooperation with the city.

    Hub for two-wheelers and everyday life
    Stellwerk 2 is being built not only to live and work in, but also to facilitate movement. In the basement, 360 new bicycle parking spaces are being created with charging facilities for e-bikes, cargo bike zones and lockers. Together with 150 recently created spaces in the existing building, the capacity of the neighboring bike station will increase to around 510 units. The new building will be connected to the existing facility under Signal Box 1 via a new passageway.

    For city councillor Christa Meier, the project is emblematic of the transformation to a mobility city: the signal box will become Winterthur’s actual bicycle hub and strengthen the station’s role as a multimodal center.

    Realization in stages
    With Stellwerk 2, SBB Immobilien and the city of Winterthur are demonstrating how urban densification and the traffic turnaround can go hand in hand. A place where living, working and sustainable mobility merge into a new urban entity.

  • Zurich reintroduces hardship clause for imputed rental value

    Zurich reintroduces hardship clause for imputed rental value

    The cantonal council approved the reintroduction of the hardship clause at second reading by 136 votes to 29. The aim is to prevent situations in which homeowners have to sell their home due to rising imputed rental values and tax burdens. This was triggered by a Federal Supreme Court ruling that overturned the previous legal basis.

    Finance Director Ernst Stocker subsequently deleted the old clause, but applied for a new transitional regulation until the imputed rental value is completely abolished. Following the referendum in September to abolish the imputed rental value, the regulation will only be in place for a few more years.

    Political controversy
    While there was broad support, the Greens, AL and EVP rejected the model. They criticized the fact that tax relief does not have to be repaid in the event of inheritance and saw this as unequal treatment compared to tenants. However, the corresponding repayment proposal was clearly defeated.

    The government council still has to decide on Stocker’s transitional regulation. Both measures, the hardship clause and the transitional regulation, only apply until the anticipated abolition of the imputed rental value in 2027 or 2028. Zurich is thus sending a clear signal for a socially responsible property policy during the transitional phase of the tax reform.

  • Mobilization of Generation-Z to the ballot box for real estate-related votes by SVIT Young Zurich

    Mobilization of Generation-Z to the ballot box for real estate-related votes by SVIT Young Zurich

    Political developments in the real estate sector are becoming ever more pronounced – initiatives such as housing protection in Geneva and Basel clearly demonstrate this. Now a similar vote is also due in Zurich in 2026. SVIT Young Zurich, under the leadership of Alban Kaufmann, would like to become active here and make its contribution in the coming election year. The aim is to raise young people’s long-term awareness of real estate policy issues, show them the consequences of political decisions – and motivate them to go to the polls. But getting young people interested in politics is no easy task. Endless monologues and complicated sentence constructions tend to put people off. The association has therefore developed various formats to reach Generation Z in a more targeted way in the important election year of 2026:

    a) “Polit Battle ” – politics live & direct
    At the “Polit Battle” live events, young politicians – supporters and opponents – face each other directly. The most important topics are discussed in quick, pointed word duels à la “Arena”, but shorter and more interactive. At the subsequent aperitif, politicians and guests can exchange views in person and form their own opinions.

    b) “Built&Rent” political game – experience politics in a playful way
    From 2026, the “Built&Rent” game will make it possible to experience the pressure real estate professionals are under – and how political decisions shape the industry. The game will be activated one month before each vote and offers rankings with daily and weekly winners. This turns political education into an interactive experience.

    c) Politcheck – election arguments in a nutshell
    With the “Politcheck” information flyer in digital and haptic format, SVIT Young Zurich aims to provide a brief overview of relevant political developments and take a position on political issues, upcoming votes and elections. All of the topics presented are political issues that have a direct or indirect impact on the real estate industry.

    We are currently providing brief and concise information on the cantonal referendum proposal “State pre-emption rights as a guarantee for more affordable housing?” with the counter-proposal from the Canton of Zurich for the referendum on November 30, 2025.

    Should the municipalities intervene even more in the real estate market than they already do? What is behind this promising demand, which seems to be the perfect solution to the current housing shortage? A salutary solution for urgently needed living space? Or rather an additional accelerant of an already overheated real estate market and a destroyer of taxpayers’ money? To get the necessary answers to these questions, we ask FDP cantonal councillor Doris Meier and then present the position of SVIT Young Zurich and SVIT Zurich on this bill.

    Further information, documents and dates can be found at:
    https://www.svit.ch/de/svit-zuerich/politik

  • The big living showdown

    The big living showdown

    The housing protection initiative aims to prevent rents from rising disproportionately after conversions or demolitions. Investors should have future rents approved with the building permit, and yields should also be capped. A majority in the Cantonal Council (including the SVP, FDP and GLP) rejects this as too much interference in property rights and warns of barriers to investment. Instead, the majority of the committee is proposing a counter-proposal that would protect tenants in particular from abusive terminations. With information and support periods of 12 months in the event of restructuring. Critics see this as a placebo that does little to protect tenants and leaves the interests of yields untouched.

    HEV start-up aid initiative
    This initiative aims to facilitate access to home ownership. The homeowners’ association is calling for the canton to guarantee up to 15 percent of the purchase price for owner-occupiers by reducing the equity from 20 to 5 percent. The government supports the proposal as it could make it easier for middle-income families to buy. However, left-wing parties are warning of rising demand and higher land prices without a sustainable increase in housing supply. A close decision is looming in the cantonal council.

    Home ownership initiative of the HEV
    This initiative demands that at least an equal number of owner-occupied homes be built alongside affordable rental apartments in state-subsidized housing projects. It has not yet found a majority, as critics do not consider the one-sided promotion of rental apartments to be in line with the constitution. A counter-proposal aimed at addressing problems with the calculation of the imputed rental value also has little chance of success.

    Housing initiative of the Greens
    The Greens are calling for the establishment of a public housing agency with start-up capital of at least CHF 500 million in order to create affordable, non-profit housing and promote non-profit developers. The majority in the cantonal council rejects this and instead proposes a framework for accelerated housing construction. The initiators want to force a referendum if the proposal is rejected.

    Outlook and political tensions
    The debate in the cantonal council opens a politically hot autumn. Another point of contention will be the SP’s right of first refusal initiative, which aims to give municipalities more scope to intervene in land purchases in order to limit speculation. Its counter-proposal has mainly economic and legal opponents.

    The positions of the stakeholders show the dilemma between protecting housing, promoting property ownership and concerns about investment incentives. The outcome of the votes will have a decisive influence on future housing policy in the canton of Zurich and is also likely to send a signal to other Swiss cantons.

  • Wooden computer mouse

    Wooden computer mouse

    Printed circuit boards are the invisible backbone of electronics. Until now, they have mostly been based on fossil plastics. Their conventional production uses glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin. A petroleum-based material that is almost impossible to recycle at the end of its life cycle and requires costly disposal. This recycling problem is becoming increasingly urgent in view of the growing quantities of electronic waste.

    Empa’s “Cellulose and Wood Materials” laboratory has therefore developed a carrier material based on wood that can be completely biodegraded. Under the leadership of Thomas Geiger, the team in the EU project HyPELignum developed a technology in which lignocellulose – a previously underutilized by-product of wood processing – is transformed into a robust, functional board.

    Closing the loop between function and cycle
    At its core, the new material consists of a mixture of cellulose fibrils and lignin. Finely tuned mechanical processes create a stable mesh that hardens in a “hornified” board. The printed circuit boards made from this material can be printed with conductor tracks and fitted with electronic components.

    Moisture resistance remains the key challenge. This is because it is precisely the material’s openness to water that makes it biodegradable at the end of its life. A conflict of objectives that the Empa team wants to resolve even better in future. In their first experiment, they have already succeeded in building a fully functional computer mouse and other devices. After use, these could be composted under suitable conditions and valuable metals and components simply recovered.

    From research to practice
    The developers at the Empa laboratory are working closely with companies such as Profactor to transform the new circuit boards into products ready for series production. The potential for industry is huge. Especially in the case of short-lived electronic items, this creates a solution that conserves resources, reduces disposal costs and minimizes the ecological footprint.

    The HyPELignum project also emphasizes sustainable overall strategies. The focus is not only on raw materials and production, but also on life cycle analyses and industrial partnerships. With demonstration devices and planned industrial scaling, the aim is to make the leap from laboratory solution to market-ready product by 2026.

  • Energie 360° and EKZ hold takeover talks

    Energie 360° and EKZ hold takeover talks

    The City of Zurich announced back in 2024 that it was looking for new partnerships for Energie 360°. After withdrawing from the municipal heat supply, the company is increasingly focusing on projects outside the city area. In order to secure its long-term future, the city conducted market research with external support and spoke to several interested parties.

    It is now clear that Zurich and EKZ are conducting exclusive negotiations regarding a possible takeover. According to the press release, the talks are intended to clarify whether the merger of the two energy companies can create added value for the canton and the city.

    Synergies for the canton’s energy future
    EKZ has extensive experience in the construction and operation of complex energy infrastructures and already supplies 100 percent renewable energy in the electricity sector. A merger with Energie 360° would enable the canton of Zurich to manage large parts of its energy supply from a single source in future.

    For Energie 360°, integration into EKZ would mean the consistent continuation of its transformation. Away from fossil gas and towards renewable energy networks, biogas and charging infrastructure for electromobility. This would see the canton of Zurich take a significant step towards net zero in a national comparison.

    Observers see this bundling as an opportunity to better coordinate regional energy production, grid infrastructure and security of supply. At the same time, the planned takeover offers the opportunity to deploy resources and expertise more efficiently in an increasingly fragmented market.

    Decision expected by the end of 2026
    Two bodies will decide whether the merger actually goes ahead. The municipal council on the city side and the Board of Directors on the EKZ side. The negotiations should be completed by the end of 2026.

    The sale would be a significant strategic step for Zurich. It would involve the disposal of an important energy company, but also the opportunity to unite behind the goal of decarbonization in the canton. If the takeover is successful, an energy player would emerge in the Zurich area that consistently relies on renewable sources for electricity, heat and mobility, thus setting the course for a climate-neutral future.

  • City of Zurich honors best construction projects 2025

    City of Zurich honors best construction projects 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Learning and support passarelle for apprentices KV-Immobilien

    Learning and support passarelle for apprentices KV-Immobilien

    Since then, a diverse range of support services has been established, which is constantly being developed and adapted to current requirements – most recently also to the new CT education reform, which has been in force since the 2023/2024 apprenticeship year. At the heart of this reform is the focus on skills rather than subjects in order to best prepare learners for a digital, networked and agile working world. The previous B and E profiles have been replaced by a flexible structure with compulsory elective areas and specialization options. The first final examinations under the new model will take place in spring 2026.

    In response, SVIT Young Zurich has developed an attractive learning and support package that is highly appreciated by apprentices, vocational trainers and our members.

    Kick-off real estate apprenticeship
    Finally out of school and into working life! For many, an apprenticeship is the first real step towards their future. But what can you expect – and what is expected of you? We’ll give you an overview. One thing is clear: you are no longer a student, but a learner. This means that you will continue to learn a lot of new things – but not just in the classroom, but directly in everyday working life. Reliability, interest and initiative are expected of you. Punctuality, thinking for yourself and taking responsibility are the basics.

    Further information: https://www.svit.ch/de/svit-zuerich/event/kick-immobilien-lehre-2026

    Learning during the apprenticeship
    Preparing for practical work and the final exams involves much more than just specialist knowledge. It is also important to us to promote your mental strength and resilience. Because what if an oral exam doesn’t go as planned? How do you stay calm, focused and confident? This includes topics such as presentation techniques, dealing with exam anxiety and strategies to combat concentration difficulties. We also address modern challenges such as the constant distraction of smartphones and tablets – because they can put a strain on the nervous system and make learning more difficult. With targeted exercises, such as supportive eye training, we promote your ability to absorb information and help you to retain knowledge in the long term.

    Further information: https://www.svit.ch/de/svit-zuerich/svit-young/lernen-waehrend-der-lehre

    QV-Campus 2026
    At the four-day QV-Campus at the Höhenhotel Emmetten (NW), apprentices in their 3rd year are optimally prepared for the company qualification procedure (the industry part of the final apprenticeship examination). The focus is on real estate and fiduciary theory, technical discussions, business situations, presentation techniques, presentation skills and dealing confidently with exam nerves. If desired, school subjects (except foreign languages) can also be covered in greater depth. All participants receive individual support until the final exam. And the results speak for themselves: QV-Campus participants have regularly achieved above-average grades in recent years.

    Further information: https://www.svit.ch/de/svit-zuerich/qv-campus-2026

  • Zurich Metropolitan Area Cooperation Program 2025-2028

    Zurich Metropolitan Area Cooperation Program 2025-2028

    The cooperation programs of the Zurich Metropolitan Area Association serve the targeted development of projects with regional added value. Three programs have been successfully implemented since the association was founded in 2009. The focus is on growth, digitalization and demographic change. The current fourth call for proposals runs under the leitmotifs “Positive climate for innovation” and “Intelligent use of scarce resources” and thus picks up on the new Vision 2040/50 and the 2027 utilization strategy.

    The program is open to projects that focus on one of these topics or projects that combine both aspects. The selective, two-stage procedure ensures that the concepts submitted are practical, scalable and can be implemented in partnership with the member cantons, cities and municipalities. The submission threshold is deliberately kept low. In stage 1, a brief outline of the idea and organization is sufficient; in stage 2, the project is developed further and in more detail.

    Advantages and special features
    The program creates an innovative forum for supra-regional exchange between science, politics, business and society. The professional networking promotes sustainable solutions and strengthens the competitiveness of the metropolitan area as a leading location for research and development. Cantons, cities and municipalities benefit even if individual projects do not affect everyone equally. Diversity and innovative approaches remain the benchmark for the structural and functional area.

    Practical implementation and strategic impact
    With each program, the Zurich Metropolitan Conference provides new impetus for change in work, mobility and the use of resources. The current focus supports projects that contribute to greater innovative strength, digital transformation and sustainable development. Regional and cross-sector solutions are intended to further strengthen the Zurich metropolitan area as an attractive place to live and do business.

  • Adding storeys and extensions made easy

    Adding storeys and extensions made easy

    The further development of existing buildings offers clear advantages. It saves resources, reduces CO2 emissions and reduces the volume of construction waste. In contrast to demolition, the appearance of the neighborhood is preserved and new rentals are often lower, which ensures affordable living space. The local building culture also benefits, as established structures and identity-forming elements are preserved, which strengthens the sense of community.

    High hurdles hamper conversions
    Outdated regulations, complex procedures and a lack of legal certainty are currently hampering numerous extension projects. Older buildings in particular do not comply with the latest regulations, so many owners shy away from the effort involved and prefer to build new ones.

    Revision of the law brings simplifications
    The new proposal from the Building Department provides for targeted simplifications. At its heart is the simplification provision, Section 220a E-PBG: it allows owners to deviate from certain regulations, for example with regard to boundary distances, façade height and the number of full storeys. The aim is to better integrate the further developed building into the existing building regulations, create more scope for conversion and at the same time offer legal certainty.

    Densification and better utilization
    It will be easier to create additional residential units, particularly in residential buildings. The regulation encourages properties to exploit their full potential in accordance with the municipal zoning regulations without losing the existing building stock. This is an important step towards more densification and smart land use in urban and rural areas.

    Further simplifications and updates
    The revision also addresses the demands of the Cantonal Council. For example, procedures for solar installations and stair lifts have been simplified. Outdated regulations on fire protection and minimum heights are to be removed. This will make it easier to convert office buildings into apartments and provide impetus for innovative construction projects.

    Opportunity for Zurich
    The planned simplifications for the conversion and extension of existing buildings will enable sustainable urban development, ecologically, socially and culturally. The revision of the law creates clarity and motivates owners to use the potential of existing buildings instead of building new ones.

  • Architecture prize honours outstanding building projects in the canton of Zurich

    Architecture prize honours outstanding building projects in the canton of Zurich

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

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

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

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

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

  • Zurich’s “city in the lake”

    Zurich’s “city in the lake”

    bosshard presented his “City in the Lake” to the public in 1961. A gigantic terrace of 700,000 square meters, enthroned 14 meters above the water level, was to serve as a pedestrian city, including traffic arteries and over 70,000 parking spaces.

    The three zones were clearly designed.

    • In the north, a cultural center with theaters, museums, cinemas and an administration building.
    • In the middle, the office and business district for up to 50,000 workplaces, flanked by a shopping and gastronomy center.
    • To the south, a hotel zone with a view of the lake and the foothills of the Alps.

    A green strip up to 100 meters wide around the new city was to transform the lake basin into a park and river landscape.

    Infrastructure from a single source
    Bosshard’s plan envisaged a rigid separation of pedestrians and traffic. Cars, streetcars and a possible underground train were to run beneath the artificial plateau. Escalators would have guided commuters from the substructure into the high-rise city. Bosshard pointed to the public purse, the inexpensive use of cantonal waters and the use of prefabricated construction elements to finance the project.

    Criticism and opposition
    The reactions were fierce. In the NZZ, an architect voiced his “energetic objection” and spoke of a “frostily monumental” foreign city that would take away Zurich’s lake and thus its essence. The press felt compelled to emphasize that the publication of the project was not an endorsement, but was intended to provide information.

    Bosshard’s vision was criticized as a show of strength, even as “utopian folly”. Ecological aspects or the legal basis for such an embankment were largely ignored in the project dossier.

    A time of bold urban ideas
    Bosshard’s plan fits in with the 1960s and 1970s, when Zurich experimented with several radical projects. in 1971, for example, Guhl, Lechner and Philipp designed the “Wohncity” above the tracks between the main railway station and Altstetten, another plan that failed due to its cost and complexity.

    In retrospect, ETH urban researcher Christian Schmid speaks of an “act of desperation”. The narrowness of Zurich’s city center left little room for expansion. The idea of moving out to sea or over railroad land was spectacular, but neither practical nor financially viable.

    Housing construction remains an ongoing problem
    Today, the debate about covering railroad tracks is being revisited. This time, the main focus is on the lack of affordable housing. Schmid remains skeptical that such projects would also incur enormous costs and ultimately result in luxury apartments. Urban expansions such as those proposed years ago by the Krokodil architects’ group for Dübendorf are more realistic. Large areas, well developed and with potential for affordable housing developments.

    The “City im See” may have failed as an urban planning utopia, but it remains a symbol of an era in which Zurich designed high-flying ideas to solve its structural problems. Then as now, the city searched for space that did not exist and found answers in the boldest visions.

  • Between innovation and reality

    Between innovation and reality

    In the middle of the Zurich conurbation, the new H1 residential tower towers above the Zwhatt site. With a height of 75 meters and 24 storeys, the building is a visible marker for the Regensdorf skyline and for hybrid construction methods between concrete and wood. Despite its striking red hue and eye-catching façade, the interior is dominated by natural and neutral materials. The architecture remains restrained, the structure classic. Three solid base storeys and a central concrete core support the building, while timber columns, timber-concrete composite ribbed ceilings, lightweight façades and solar panels ensure resource efficiency.

    The HBV structure allows for a high degree of prefabrication and a significant reduction in gray energy. Compared to conventional solid buildings, 20% of emissions are saved, a total of around 670 tons of CO₂ over a life cycle of 60 years. The horizontally positioned photovoltaic modules serve as a brisesoleil and generate around 155,000 kWh of electricity per year, which covers around 36% of the apartments’ energy requirements.

    Quality of living, community and urban density
    At the base of the H1, three-sided arcades connect the building to the neighborhood and ensure an urban quality of living. Inside, a clear, modular structure ensures compact, flexible apartments. 156 units are organized around the central core and are reached via short, bundled access routes. There is space for community halfway up the building with a two-storey meeting room, a launderette and spectacular views. The wooden elements create a pleasant indoor climate, while exposed beams and clay surfaces ensure a cozy atmosphere.

    Sustainability and the ambivalence of the high-rise principle
    H1 is a project of transition. The high proportion of wood reduces the CO₂ profile, but does not make the use of concrete superfluous. The climate-friendly construction method, local raw materials such as beech wood from the Jura or clay and the focus on renewable energy make sustainable construction a reality. Nevertheless, the high-rise building remains an ambivalent concept. The densification saves space, but the statics and fire protection still force hybrid constructions.

    In terms of urban planning, the Zwhatt site represents a new development perspective for Regensdorf. The silhouette of H1 and other towers characterizes the skyline. The quarter combines living, working and open spaces and stands for an urban development that remains flexible and adaptable.

    The H1 residential tower exemplifies change in the construction industry. It combines advanced timber hybrid technology, a high degree of prefabrication and urban integration. H1 is thus a “building of transition”, a step towards net zero, but also a reflection of the challenges and potentials facing sustainable residential construction in urban centers today.

  • Small cities are increasingly interested in the smart city

    Small cities are increasingly interested in the smart city

    The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), based in Winterthur, has published the Swiss Smart City Survey 2024. The report shows that small cities in particular are investing in smart solutions, according to a press release. The ZHAW survey also recorded an increase in the number of respondents.

    A total of 403 smart city projects were reported by the participating cities and municipalities in the survey. Specifically, these include categories such as Smart Governance, Smart Environment, Smart Mobility, Smart People, Smart Living and Smart Economy. 97 projects fall into the Smart Environment category, most of them in the field of photovoltaics. This is twice as many as in 2022.

    However, the report still shows great potential for development. The topic of smart cities is being actively addressed in 29% of the cities surveyed, while 18% are still in the initial phase. “Many cities are not yet in a defined smart city development phase – a clear sign that there is enormous development potential here,” said Vicente Carabias, Head of Sustainable Energy Systems and Smart Cities at the ZHAW, in the press release. “At the same time, the survey shows that more and more cities are embracing the topic of smart cities. The data from the Swiss Smart City Survey highlights the high market potential for science and companies, which can play an active role in the development of smart infrastructures.”

  • Small cities drive smart transformation

    Small cities drive smart transformation

    In the current survey, 403 projects from 124 cities were recorded, with digitalization and sustainability being the most important topics. Most initiatives relate to the smart environment, in particular renewable energies such as photovoltaics and resource-saving technologies. This dynamic underscores the transformation that Swiss cities are striving to achieve in order to reduce their carbon footprint and create innovative living spaces.

    Commitment and growth opportunities for small cities
    The number of participating cities has increased significantly. More and more municipalities are formulating their own smart city strategies, appointing responsible parties and working on pilot projects for digital transformation. Nevertheless, the survey shows that almost 80 percent of cities have not yet implemented fully developed processes and are only in the early stages of development. This is a strong signal of existing development potential and market opportunities for players from business and science.

    Governance, participation and infrastructure
    The key dimensions include smart governance, citizen engagement and co-creation. The increase in projects in digital citizen services and smart infrastructure, such as resource conservation or smart mobility, points to the need to expand and strengthen internal organizational competencies within city administrations.

    Market potential and next steps
    The authors of the study emphasize that the dynamics of smart city initiatives are high, but that there is still room for improvement in terms of design and organization. The market potential for companies and research is correspondingly high. Smart infrastructure and innovative projects offer numerous opportunities for cooperation and investment.

    Small cities as drivers of the smart future
    Small Swiss cities are proving to be the driving force behind the smart city transformation. With growing commitment, a clear focus on sustainability and digitalization and an increasing number of concrete projects, they are gaining in importance and creating new opportunities for a sustainable and networked urban landscape.

  • Information event for senior citizens looking for accommodation – A cooperation project between SVIT Zurich and the city of Uster for residents of the city of Uster

    Information event for senior citizens looking for accommodation – A cooperation project between SVIT Zurich and the city of Uster for residents of the city of Uster

    In einem Pilotprojekt hat sich der SVIT Zürich zusammen mit der Stadt Uster das Ziel gesetzt, im digitalen Zeitalter dieser Altersgruppe eine geeignete Unterstützung anbieten zu können. Im Zentrum steht eine enge Zusammenarbeit mit den Amtsstellen (z. B. Sozialdienste, Gesundheits- und Beratungsstellen) und dem Immobilienverband auf mehreren Ebenen:

    1. Informations- und Beratungsangebote
    Eine zentrale Anlaufstelle als Teil der «Fachstelle Alter» soll älteren Menschen unterstützen, sich über den aktuellen Wohnungsmarkt einen Überblick zu verschaffen und sich für Wohnungssuche «parat» zu machen.  Dabei gibt es einiges zu beachten, gerade, wenn wie so oft die letzte Wohnungssuche schon Jahrzehnte zurückliegt. Bei diesem Punkt kommt der SVIT Zürich ins Spiel und organisiert für Interessierte Seniorinnen und Senioren nützliche Informations- oder besser ausgedrückt «Aufklärungsveranstaltungen», welche auf die «Dos and Don’ts» der Wohnungssuche hinweisen. 

    Im «SVIT Zürich World-Cafe», werden die Besucher in 3 Gruppen an grossen Blocktischen eingeteilt. Bei Kaffee und Kuchen werden wichtige Schwerpunkte erläutert und besprochen. 

    • Ausfüllen eines Interessenformulars mit den nötigen Beilagen / Selektion der Mieter aus Sicht der Verwaltung 
    • Wie und wo suche ich nach geeigneten Wohnungen / Realitäts-Check der 

    gewünschten Wohnung (inkl. Suchprofil erstellen) 

    • Wo der Verband während der aktiven Suche unterstützen kann (Coaching) und 

    weshalb wir keine Wohnungen auf dem Präsentierteller anbieten können.  

    Die erste Veranstaltung dieser Art findet am 18. September 2025 im Gemeinderatssaal der Stadt Uster Stadt: 

    Infos unter:
    https://www.svit.ch/de/svit-zuerich/event/informationsveranstaltung-fuer-seniorinnen-und-senioren-auf-der-wohnungssuche

    2. Best Practice-Leitfaden für Senioren zum Vorgehen bei Vermietungsprozessen
    Vermietungsprozesse sind heute weitgehend standardisiert und auf Effizienz getrimmt. Grössere Liegenschaftsverwaltungen setzen stark auf Tempo und vergeben Wohnungen an den ersten Mieter, der passt. Kleinere Liegenschaftsverwaltungen und private Vermieter nehmen sich zwar manchmal mehr Zeit, aber auch sie wollen möglichst schnell vermieten. Wer seine Chancen bei der Wohnungssuche erhöhen möchte, muss sich sehr gut vorbereiten und bereit sein, schnell zu entscheiden. Die Vorbereitung lohnt sich, weil Wohnungsbewerbungen bei den meisten Verwaltungen ähnlich ablaufen.  

    In Kooperation mit der Stadt Uster (Fachstelle Alter) und dem SVIT Zürich entstand 

    Im Februar 2025 eine hilfreiche Anleitung speziell für Senioren: 

    Leitfaden unter:
    https://www.svit.ch/sites/default/files/2025-02/Wohnungssuche%20ohne%20Umwege.pdf

    3. Prävention und Langfristigkeit
    In einer geplanten Kampagne „Wohnen im Alter“ – sollen ältere Menschen ermutigt werden, rechtzeitig über einen Umzug nachzudenken, denn eine frühzeitige Planung erleichtert den Wohnsuchprozess für den Lebensabend enorm. 

  • ETH spin-off teaches the construction industry how to save money

    ETH spin-off teaches the construction industry how to save money

    The ETH spin-off is making its mark on the grounds of Innovation Park Zurich. A three-and-a-half-ton dumper truck is presented at customer demos with the specially developed hybrid drive. The construction industry is facing enormous challenges in view of the three gigatons of CO₂ emissions produced by its machines worldwide. The hybrid drive enables a reduction of 30 to 50 percent in fuel consumption and emissions. A revolution for construction companies facing increasingly strict environmental regulations.

    Efficiency and development as an ongoing task
    The pressure to innovate is high. In order to remain competitive and meet future requirements, the team is constantly working on further developments and optimizing the technology for various applications. Cooperation with construction and machinery companies ensures practical solutions, while the location in the IPZ pavilion offers ideal conditions for research and development.

    From prototype to series production
    Following intensive collaboration with partners, series production is imminent. This means that the innovative hybrid drive will soon be widely used and make a significant contribution to decarbonization and cost reduction in the construction industry. The technology combines power and flexibility with ecological responsibility. A model that will give the Swiss construction industry a new boost.

    The company impressively demonstrates how technological innovations master the balancing act between efficiency, economy and sustainability. The path to the future of construction leads via intelligent drives.

  • Modernization boosts urban mobility in Zurich

    Modernization boosts urban mobility in Zurich

    The Rigiblick funicular is currently being modernized and is due to resume operations in the autumn. In addition to the new vehicles, which have been jointly developed by Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich, Garaventa, Milani Design and CWA, new train ropes will also be in use. Fatzer AG, based in Romanshorn, manufactured and delivered the high-performance ropes. They have now also been installed, according to a statement from the BRUGG Group, to which Fatzer belongs.

    The two 32-millimetre-thick hauling ropes are each 480 meters long and weigh 1.9 tons. “With around 160 journeys per day and a travel time of just two minutes without stopping, the strain on the ropes is high. The high level of stress requires the highest material quality in order to ensure reliable operation with maximum safety,” reads the press release on the train ropes of the “symbol of urban mobility and quality of life”, which is also part of Zurich’s cultural heritage.

    The Performa rope from Fatzer has been specially developed for urban applications. The rope features plastic profiles between the strands, creating an “almost cylindrical surface structure”. This significantly reduces vibrations and noise. The company also points out the durability of the ropes.

  • New tower approved for Zurich Airport

    New tower approved for Zurich Airport

    The current tower was put into operation together with Dock A in 1985 and has reached the end of its service life after almost 40 years. The new tower is being built to the north of the existing site and will provide air traffic controllers with an optimized overview of ground and air traffic. Functionality, sustainability and workplace quality will be raised to a new level.

    Part of a major project
    The construction of the new tower is closely linked to the replacement construction of Dock A. Both projects were submitted by Flughafen Zürich AG 2023 and examined in a joint procedure. While the tower has now been approved in a partial decision, the process for the new Dock A is still ongoing. Until its completion, the tower will initially be operated as an independent building.

    Focus on sustainability
    The project is being led by architects Bjarke Ingels Group and is based on a construction method using wood as the main material. The roof of the new dock will be fully equipped with photovoltaics and is expected to cover up to two thirds of the electricity requirements. With an investment volume of around 700 million Swiss francs, the new Dock A replacement building is one of the most important infrastructure projects of the coming years.

    Objections and outlook
    Several objections to the project have been received, including from affected municipalities. According to DETEC, however, the construction itself will not lead to additional aircraft noise. On the contrary, emissions in the surrounding area could even decrease. Construction of the tower is scheduled to start in 2027 and the new Dock A is not expected to open before 2030. A third of all passengers at Zurich Airport use Dock A, so its renewal is seen as central to airport operations in the future.

    With the new tower and Dock A, Zurich Airport is focusing on a sustainable and functional infrastructure that meets the increasing demands of air traffic and environmental protection. The project combines high-tech air traffic control with modern building culture, a strong signal for the future of Swiss air traffic.

  • Lock-in effect blocks the housing market

    Lock-in effect blocks the housing market

    While existing rents remain stable or even fall over the years, asking rents are rising sharply. A study by Zürcher Kantonalbank shows that anyone who moved into an apartment in the canton of Zurich in 2008 pays an average of 3.3 percent less today. New tenants, on the other hand, have to pay over 33 percent more. This so-called “stay bonus” means that moving is financially unattractive for many.

    Lock-in effect paralyzes use of living space
    The result is a distorted use of living space. Family apartments remain in place even after the children have moved out, and rooms in shared flats are not reallocated. The lock-in effect keeps older generations in apartments that are too large, while young families can hardly find adequate living space. Large cities are particularly affected, where regulations further exacerbate the effect.

    Consequences for society and the economy
    The stagnation of the rental market has far-reaching consequences. Younger households can hardly find larger apartments to start a family, while the older generation lives in oversized living spaces. At the same time, the problem hits low-income households particularly hard. If they were to move, a significant proportion of this group would have to pay more than 40 percent of their income on rent.

    Solutions required
    This could be remedied by increased construction activity, tax incentives for moving to smaller apartments and innovative housing and financing models. At municipal level, flexible framework conditions are needed to expand the supply. It is also crucial to design regulations in such a way that they do not unintentionally reinforce the lock-in effect and thus harm the very groups that are supposed to be protected.

    The lock-in effect is a recent but increasingly dominant phenomenon in the rental market. It leads to inefficient use of living space, social imbalance and a loss of dynamism. Only with more new construction, creative market models and targeted political incentives can the blockade be broken and the housing market get moving again.

  • The profession of location promoter requires explanation

    The profession of location promoter requires explanation

    It is not yet possible to learn the profession of location promoter. However, since the mid-1980s, there have been contact points for economic and commercial matters at local city and even municipal level – formerly known as economic development. In the 1990s, the Winterthur region was known as a pioneer, not least after the decline of industry there.

    So from 1998, as the first location promoter and head of building construction for the city of Schlieren – alongside the cities of Winterthur and Zurich – I was literally out there alone in the wind. However, the real estate backpack I had acquired since 1981 and my MAS Real Estate Management, which I was also one of the first to complete, enabled me to do the balancing act in the niche segment of location promotion. The classics in the job of a location promoter include company relocations, cluster and site development, “one-stop shopping” by the administration for building permits, portfolio management and startup promotion, as well as much more.

    In Switzerland today, primarily each of the 26 cantons has a location promotion program. Unfortunately, not all of the 172 cities and municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants have a location promotion office, let alone an economic strategy. There, an internally appointed person in the administration is responsible. In most cases, this is the town clerk or, at most, the president of the town or municipality, more or less voluntarily and not specifically trained for this purpose. However, this also means that I greatly appreciate these municipal management bodies, as well as those of the town of Schlieren, where I can now look back on 28 years of service. Schlieren’s key figures show a very successful picture that is recognized by many parties. The number of legal entities in the town has increased by 100% since 1998, from 650 to 1,388. This also means an increase in jobs from around 12,000 to 21,000. The number of inhabitants has risen by 70% from 12,000 to 20,100. Here I represent the 1:1 situation (inhabitants in relation to jobs) in contrast to other well-known large Swiss cities.

    I would be delighted if, after my retirement, more real estate experts chose the profession of location promoter and also became involved in associations, ERFAS and networks. What is needed is trust in the local location promoters.