immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Construction

  • Zurich and Aargau plan mobile network

    Zurich and Aargau plan mobile network

    The Limmat Valley is developing rapidly, not least thanks to new transport projects. In order to strategically address this dynamic, the cantons of Zurich and Aargau, together with three regional planning associations, are launching a cross-cantonal planning instrument:. The Limmattal regional overall transport concept.

    The concept follows the guiding principle “The Limmat Valley is fit for the future” and aims to create a sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly balance between settlement and transport development. The planning horizon extends to the year 2050.

    Multimodal networking as a guideline
    The focus is on improving regional networking, promoting multimodal solutions and integrating logistics concepts. Neighbouring regions such as the Furttal or the city of Zurich are also included.

    The results of the concept will form the basis for future agglomeration programmes and will flow into concrete implementation in the municipalities and cantons from 2027/2028. Objectives, strategies and measures will be developed in several phases by the end of 2026.

    Structured process with regional participation
    The project will be managed by a steering group with representatives from the cantons and regional planning associations. Broad participation by the municipalities and public information events ensure transparency and acceptance.

    Project manager Sarah Hug (Canton of Zurich) and project manager Dominik Kramer (Canton of Aargau) are coordinating the participatory process. Public information events are planned on 5 November 2025 and 13 May 2026, among other dates.

    Mobility strategy with a signalling effect
    The rGVK Limmattal is a model project for intercantonal cooperation in one of Switzerland’s most economically significant development areas. It shows how regional and supra-regional interests can be united in a joint strategy for sustainable mobility.

  • New filter well secures water supply in Trubschachen

    New filter well secures water supply in Trubschachen

    Strabag ‘s specialised civil engineering department has built a stainless steel filter well for the construction of a new drinking water pipeline in Trubschachen. Employees dug the borehole with a hydraulic cable excavator weighing more than 60 tonnes and 21 metres high. The well was then drilled to a depth of 25 metres, according to a press release. The installation will secure the drinking water supply for the municipalities of Trub, Trubschachen and Langnau for the next 70 to 80 years, writes the Schlieren-based construction company.

    The new well location had become necessary due to new cantonal legislation. The required protection zones, particularly for areas close to roads, can now be complied with. From a technical point of view, the existing drinking water pipeline would have functioned for several more years.

    The Langnau-Lucerne cantonal road is only a few metres from the existing well. “In the event of an accident, oil could get into the ground. Which is a no-go in a groundwater protection zone,” it says.

    Preparations for the special construction project started in parallel with the renewal of the drinking water pipeline in the direction of Langnau, so that the new well can be seamlessly integrated.

  • New brochures promote the use of Bernese wood

    New brochures promote the use of Bernese wood

    The cantonal platform of the Bernese forestry and timber industry, Lignum Holzwirtschaft Bern, aims to promote awareness of the forest and encourage demand for local timber. To enable authorities and administrations to use forests sustainably, the association of Bernese forest owners, the Bernese Sawmill Association, the Swiss Timber Construction Section Bern and Bernese Oberland, the Master Carpenters’ Association Bern and Bernese Oberland and Holzenergie Canton Bern has published a series of brochures entitled “Forest and Wood Compass”. The practical documents were compiled with the support of the Wyss Academy for Nature, Lignum Holzwirtschaft Bern explains in a press release.

    The “Forest and Wood Compass” series is divided into an overview brochure and three topic-specific brochures. The overview brochure is entitled “Forest and Wood Compass for Bernese Regions”. The three topic-specific brochures deal with regional wood in public buildings, efficient forestry structures and financial incentives to secure certain forest services. All brochures can be downloaded at lignumbern.ch/wald-holz-kompass/.

    The mandate for Lignum Holzwirtschaft Bern is managed by Volkswirtschaft Berner Oberland.

  • New recommendations for better protection of high-quality floors

    New recommendations for better protection of high-quality floors

    Durabilitas has worked with partners on a multi-year project to develop recommendations for better consideration of soils in spatial planning. They are aimed at actors at the three levels of government – federal, cantonal and municipal – according to a press release from the Foundation for Sustainable Development. They are based on the application of the Soil Quality Index(SoilQI), which has already been used in countries such as Germany, Austria and Belgium for several years.

    For the recommendations now presented, Durabilitas and its partners have analysed the application of the SoilQI in these countries. On the other hand, the application of the SoilQI in Swiss pilot projects was analysed. The project was supplemented by the evaluation of a national support group made up of experts from various disciplines.

    The SoilQI can be used to record and map the quality of soils. It thus offers “a simple planning aid, for example to direct construction activities to locations with lower soil quality wherever possible and to preserve high-quality soils”, according to the press release.

  • Solar facade combines energy generation with architecture

    Solar facade combines energy generation with architecture

    Megasol Energie has developed the photovoltaic solution for the Bern 131 project, according to a press release . The 1605 customised modules shimmer blue thanks to the coloured rear glass, which is aligned with the sun. The front glass is transparent. Megasol developed the modules in collaboration with the Bern-based architecture firm Atelier 5, which designed the building.

    Megasol also supplied 468 standardised M450 modules for the roof area. The entire system has an output of 504 kilowatt peak. This will generate around 341,238 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. This corresponds to 88 per cent self-sufficiency for the building.

    Bern 131 at Stauffacherstrasse 131 was built by Atelier 5 as a hybrid of steel and wood. The wood comes 98 per cent from the canton of Bern. The building is SNBS Gold-certified.

    Florian Lünstedt, architect and partner at Atelier 5, praises the collaboration with Megasol. “The façade is not only an important architectural element that characterises the building, but also a functional component for energy generation,” he is quoted as saying in the press release. “The joint development of the PV modules with Megasol has made it possible to combine both aspects at a high level.”

  • Owner participation “Ziegelbrückstrasse” in Glarus North

    Owner participation “Ziegelbrückstrasse” in Glarus North

    The municipality of Glarus Nord would like to motivate developers to carry out participatory processes for more complex construction projects. Its “Participation and communication guidelines for planning processes” outline how the needs of the population and future users can be anticipated at an early stage for various planning situations. To set a good example, the municipality initiated a participatory process for the “Ziegelbrückstrasse” development area between Ziegelbrücke railroad station, the Jennyareal and the village center of Niederurnen: between October 2024 and February 2025, it involved the affected owners in the development of a mission statement, which served as the basis for the development of an outline plan for the area.

    Shaping the framework conditions for development
    The mission statement was intended to define the structural dimensions and the mix of uses. As the area is one of the densification and upgrading areas that characterize the village, qualitative key points of a development that does justice to the character and history of the area were also up for discussion. The municipality also saw the public sector as having a duty and therefore set out its expectations regarding the design and upgrading of the cantonal road that runs through the area. This provided the municipality with a broad-based basis for discussions with the canton, which is responsible for the renovation of the road.

    The jointly developed model served the municipality as the basis for a binding framework plan. The framework plan in turn defines the guidelines for how buildings may be constructed along Ziegelbrückstrasse in future under the new owner-binding land-use plan. The owners involved helped to shape how and what they can build on their properties in the future by participating in the master plan.

    A streamlined participation process
    The owners in the area were invited to take part in two evening events with the municipality. The first evening was for information and participation, the second for the presentation of the results. Over 56 owners of 127 plots took the opportunity to participate in the events themselves or with a representative.

    In the first workshop, they were given an insight into the planned planning instrument and were consulted on various options for future development possibilities. By prioritizing the options, they were able to influence the decision on the desired model. In the second workshop, the municipality presented the framework plan developed on the basis of the desired variant.

    A worthwhile effort for the municipality
    Participatory processes are complex and cost time, money and political capital. For the municipality, the time-consuming process was worthwhile because it increases the chances of owners becoming active: By being informed about more construction options at an early stage, they can adjust their investment planning and align any existing intentions with the municipality’s development plans.

    The discussion about the vision helps to orient owners towards a common vision of the future of the densification and development area and to convey to them that issues such as the addressing of buildings to the street, the granularity of the development, the design of the base storey or the materialization are not just private matters, but also have an effect on the image of the district and thus influence the attractiveness and value of the location for everyone.

    The participatory process offered the municipality the opportunity to draw attention to its building advice and increase the likelihood that landowners with investment intentions will discuss and coordinate their plans with the municipality at an early stage, before they have drawn up a preliminary or construction project that can hardly be adapted. In the best-case scenario, the process encourages some owners to think bigger and enter into cooperation with other landowners or jointly tackle issues such as the provision of parking spaces in construction projects.

    The municipality was also able to use the events to coordinate upgrades on public land with the needs and ideas of the owners and to test the acceptance of measures such as greened medians on the road or a speed reduction on certain road sections.

    More planning security for landowners
    Participatory processes also cost the participants time. In the case of Ziegelbrückstrasse, the effort was worthwhile for the property owners simply because they were able to influence decisions on issues that are binding for the property owners by participating in the framework plan that is binding for the authorities: the fundamental question of the design of the density and mix of uses possible with the new land use planning. The framework plan also offers owners more planning security, as it strengthens equal treatment in the approval process.

    As part of the process, the owners gained a better understanding of what the municipality expects from structural developments and were able to gain inspiration as to what contributions they can make to neighborhood upgrading in addition to structural developments – for example with the design of gardens and street front zones or smaller renovation projects. The opportunity to find out about their neighbors’ plans at the event ultimately gives owners more certainty that they are not alone in their investments.

  • Federal government waives new financial incentives for building refurbishment

    Federal government waives new financial incentives for building refurbishment

    Energy-efficient building renovations do not need to be promoted through further financial incentives in addition to the existing financing options and funding programmes. This is the conclusion of the report on the postulate “Financing options for energy-efficient building renovations” adopted by the Federal Council on 6 June. In a press release, the Federal Council explains that it shows that energy-efficient building renovations do not primarily fail due to a lack of financial resources.

    Instead, the report recommends placing greater emphasis on information and advice, the quality of data on the condition of buildings, the sustainable structuring of mortgages and measures to combat the shortage of skilled labour in order to promote building renovations. In terms of information and advice, the Confederation and cantons are recognised as offering a good range of services. Transparency regarding the energy status of buildings should be improved by the CO2 Act, which has been in force since 2025. In addition, renovation behaviour could be influenced in future by the Climate and Innovation Act, the revised CO2 Act, further developments in cantonal legislation and greater transparency in mortgage lending.

  • Takeover strengthens market position for building installations

    Takeover strengthens market position for building installations

    The Debrunner Koenig Group is taking over Simfloc AG. The acquisition of the Frauenkappelen-based company, which specialises in fire protection, flocculation and insulation, should help the wholesale group for construction, industry and commerce to become Switzerland’s first full-service provider for building installations, writes Debrunner Koenig in a press release on the takeover. No details are given about the purchase price.

    “The Debrunner Koenig Group strives for innovation, which ensures continuous further development in prefabrication,” Simon Engler, Managing Director of Simfloc AG, is quoted as saying in the press release. “The takeover means new opportunities for us on the market.” Engler will continue to manage Simfloc AG under the umbrella of the Debrunner Koenig Group. The takeover will not change anything for customers and business partners, according to the press release. The company name and corporate identity will also remain unchanged.

  • Digital concrete analyses for higher quality and sustainability

    Digital concrete analyses for higher quality and sustainability

    Sika has made a strategic investment of an undisclosed amount in the Canadian company Giatec Scientific, headquartered in Ottawa. In a press release, it describes the Zug-based speciality chemicals company as a “significant milestone in its overarching digital strategy”.

    Giatec develops sensors, software solutions and data analysis tools that improve the quality, durability and sustainability of concrete, from production to transport and processing. Sika anticipates that Giatec’s Artificial Intelligence-based precise analysis and optimisation of concrete mixes, together with Sika’s admixture technologies, will lead to “significant” cost and CO2 savings.

    Pouria Ghods, CEO and co-founder of Giatec, wants to “redefine the future of AI-powered concrete construction” through this strategic partnership with Sika. He sees the global presence of the new partner as a great opportunity “to establish our intelligent technologies worldwide”.

    Like Ghods, Sika’s Head of Construction, Ivo Schädler, wants to help shape the future of the concrete industry through digital transformation “working closely with Giatec and its network of strategic global partners such as Heidelberg Materials. By utilising digital innovation, we provide the construction industry with data-driven insights that improve sustainability and performance and enable the next level of modern construction.”

  • How the tenants’ association is sabotaging housing construction

    How the tenants’ association is sabotaging housing construction

    At first glance, the tenants’ association’s initiative, for which the collection of signatures began on June 3, 2025, sounds like a good thing: lower rents, more protection for tenants, more say. But if you don’t allow yourself to be dazzled by fine-sounding titles, you’ll realize that this initiative combats symptoms – and cements the causes.

    Of course, rising asking rents are a real burden, especially in urban centers. But the impression that this is a conspiracy on the part of landlords falls short of the mark. The figures are clear: according to the Federal Office for Housing, there is an annual shortage of up to 10,000 apartments – with a simultaneous increase in households of around 50,000 units. The fact that asking rents are rising is not surprising – it is the result of growing excess demand.

    And this is precisely the problem with the initiative. It wants to correct pricing administratively instead of eliminating the structural bottlenecks on the housing market. Capping yields may seem popular in the short term, but in the long term it deprives residential construction of important investment incentives. Private investors – including pension funds and insurance companies – are currently responsible for a large proportion of new construction activity. Curtailing their profitability scares off capital and risks a further shortage.

    The myth of the yield-hungry investor is a false one. More than half of rental apartments in Switzerland belong to pension funds, insurance companies or pension schemes – in other words, ultimately to the population itself. Anyone who cuts their returns is jeopardizing our retirement provision. The housing market is not a playground for socially romantic experiments, but a complex system that has to reconcile supply and demand. Anyone who undermines this mechanism is not solving any problems – they are exacerbating them.

    The right of first refusal for non-profit housing is also tricky. It effectively means expropriation with a bureaucratic detour – and a further step towards a state-controlled housing market. I warn against this: such an intervention may be ideologically motivated, but in practical terms it will mainly result in delays and inefficiency. Non-profit housing construction is justified, but it is no substitute for the market-driven volume that we urgently need.

    Instead, we need realistic solutions. SVIT Switzerland has formulated 20 specific demands in its housing agenda: faster and coordinated approval procedures, a reduction in objections, promotion of redensification and space-efficient housing. Tenancy law itself must also become more differentiated: It protects existing tenants too much and not enough those who are urgently looking for an apartment. This is neither fair nor efficient.

    In short: the housing shortage will not be solved by more regulation, but by more apartments. Anyone who hinders new construction, whether out of ideological conviction or a false sense of justice, ultimately only widens the gap between supply and demand – and thus harms the very people they claim to be protecting.

  • Building culture in focus, NRP 81 begins

    Building culture in focus, NRP 81 begins

    Am 13. und 14. Mai 2025 traf sich die NFP-81-Community erstmals persönlich in Thun. Rund 80 Vertreterinnen und Vertreter aus 13 Forschungsteams präsentierten ihre Projekte in kurzen Vorträgen und gewährten dabei Einblick in die beeindruckende thematische Breite des Programms. Ergänzt wird diese akademische Vielfalt durch die 45 Praxispartnerinnen und -partner, die mit ihrem Praxiswissen die Forschungsarbeiten bereichern. Insgesamt sind über 130 Personen direkt am Programm beteiligt. Ein klares Zeichen für die starke Verankerung des NFP 81 in Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft.

    Impulse aus der Praxis: Stadt Thun als Gastgeberin
    Der erste Veranstaltungstag endete mit zwei aufschlussreichen Vorträgen von Dr. Raphael Lanz, Stadtpräsident von Thun und Florian Kühne, Stadtarchitekt von Thun. Beide betonten die entscheidende Rolle eines offenen Dialogs in der Baukultur und die Bedeutung interdisziplinärer Zusammenarbeit. Diese Perspektiven lieferten wichtige Impulse für die Arbeit in den Forschungsprojekten, die das Ziel haben, ökologische und soziale Fragen in der Baukultur stärker zu verknüpfen.

    Austausch über gemeinsame Herausforderungen
    Der zweite Veranstaltungstag diente dazu, die gemeinsamen Herausforderungen und Schnittmengen der vielfältigen Forschungsvorhaben zu identifizieren. Dr. Oliver Martin vom Bundesamt für Kultur und Prof. Ivana Katurić, Co-Autorin eines Handbuchs für das New European Bauhaus, gaben den Auftakt für einen intensiven Austausch. In gemischten Breakout-Sessions diskutierten die Teilnehmenden engagiert darüber, wie sich unterschiedliche Perspektiven und Kompetenzen bündeln lassen, um innovative und nachhaltige Lösungen für den gebauten Raum zu entwickeln.

    Gemeinsame Vision und positives Fazit
    Zum Abschluss des Treffens zeigte sich Prof. Dr. Paola Viganò, Präsidentin der Leitungsgruppe, erfreut über den intensiven Austausch und die Aufbruchstimmung: «Ich freue mich zu sehen, dass hier eine Gruppe entsteht, die ein gemeinsames Ziel teilt. Wir alle möchten mit diesem Programm den Diskurs über den ökologischen und sozialen Wandel des gebauten Raums voranbringen.» Dieser Satz bringt das gemeinsame Selbstverständnis der Teilnehmenden auf den Punkt: Das NFP 81 ist keine Aneinanderreihung isolierter Projekte, sondern eine Gemeinschaft mit einer gemeinsamen Mission.

    Transparenz und Partizipation
    In den kommenden Tagen werden auf der Webseite des NFP 81 die Porträts der einzelnen Projekte aufgeschaltet. Neben prägnanten Beschreibungen der Forschungsvorhaben werden dort auch die Praxispartner vorgestellt, die im Programm eine tragende Rolle einnehmen. Dieser transparente Einblick soll nicht nur den Austausch innerhalb der Community fördern, sondern auch eine breitere Öffentlichkeit ansprechen und zum Mitdenken und Mitwirken einladen.

  • Investment plans weaken in 2025, record high in 2026

    Investment plans weaken in 2025, record high in 2026

    According to the latest KOF Investment Survey, Swiss companies are planning to increase their gross fixed capital formation by 2.9% in nominal terms in 2025 compared to the previous year. This means that the expected growth is not only below the historical average, but also below the forecasts of the last survey in autumn 2024. Construction investment in particular, which has been the main driver of Swiss investment activity to date, is expected to increase by 4.5%, but is showing a noticeable slowdown compared to expectations from the previous year. Equipment investment is expected to grow by 2.2% and research expenditure by 2.5%.

    In the services sector, optimism has dampened noticeably. Instead of the previously forecast growth of 4.7 percent, companies are only expecting an increase of 3.1 percent. In the construction industry, fixed asset investments are even forecast to fall by 1.1%, a significant correction compared to the previously expected stagnation. In manufacturing, on the other hand, the outlook remains largely stable, with a forecast increase of 1.4%.

    Tariff announcement weighs on investment security
    A key reason for the subdued expectations is the US tariff announcement from April 2025, which envisages a tariff rate of 31% for Swiss imports into the USA. With the help of a quasi-experimental analysis, the KOF was able to show that the announcement had a noticeable effect on investment decisions. Companies that completed their questionnaire after April 2 reported an increase in reduced investment plans. Before the announcement, around 30 percent of companies were planning to reduce their investment in equipment. After the announcement, this proportion rose to 35%, while the proportion of companies with unchanged plans fell from 40% to 36%.

    Similar patterns can be seen in construction investment, while research expenditure appears to have remained largely unaffected. Companies that were already planning expansion investments stuck to their plans. In contrast, many companies that had not previously planned any changes scaled back their plans, a clear indication of the increased uncertainty.

    Significant increase in investment uncertainty
    The certainty of investment realization also deteriorated following the customs announcement. The proportion of companies that rate their investment plans as more uncertain rose from 12% to 22%. At the same time, the proportion of those who did not notice any change in security fell from around two thirds to 56%. The proportion with an improved security assessment remained constant at around 21%.

    Focus on rationalization and climate investments
    The changed environment has influenced companies’ investment motives. Expansion investments, traditionally risky, are increasingly viewed with caution. Instead, the idea of rationalization is gaining in importance. The role of environmental and climate protection investments is also growing. While 60% of companies took corresponding measures last year, 69% intend to invest in climate protection and adaptation to extreme weather conditions over the next three years. This is despite the fact that almost a third of companies state that they are not currently directly affected by climate change. At the same time, the proportion of companies that see the transition to more climate-friendly standards as an opportunity has fallen from 42% to 39%. The proportion of those who see it as a risk, on the other hand, has risen to 28%.

    Optimistic forecasts for 2026
    The picture for 2026 is completely different. Never before since the KOF surveys began have so many companies planned to increase their investments. 28% of the companies surveyed are planning to invest more in equipment, while the figure for construction investment is as high as 29%. At the same time, the proportion of companies expecting a decline has fallen significantly to just 14%. Companies from the manufacturing and service sectors are particularly optimistic.

    Opportunities and risks at a glance
    The KOF analysis underlines the high adaptability of Swiss companies. While geopolitical risks such as US customs policy are leading to investment cuts and uncertainty in the short term, many companies are focusing on growth and climate investments in the long term.

  • Monument becomes a home with history

    Monument becomes a home with history

    It only took nine months to turn the listed Gütsch farmhouse in Lauerz SZ into a modern detached house. Strüby now reports on this in a press release. The company was commissioned to carry out the extensive conversion and renovation work. Strüby was able to contribute its strength and experience in dealing with listed buildings in project development, architecture, engineering and implementation.

    The early, close, constructive and solution-oriented collaboration with the cantonal monument preservation authority and its head Monika Twerenbold proved its worth, “so that the result was extremely satisfactory for everyone involved,” Kilian Boog, Head of the Conversion division at Strüby Unternehmungen, is quoted as saying.

    A lot has been done on the outside and inside, with the late medieval block building from 1492/93 “largely retaining its original character”. In combination with modern elements, an architectural “jewel” has been created that is “full of history and stories and fascinates with its symbiosis of old and new”.

    The wooden cladding, roof and windows were renewed. The outer shell was given an energy-efficient refurbishment, while the heating technology inside was switched to an energy-efficient heat pump and photovoltaics. When planning the rooms, emphasis was placed on highlighting existing “handcrafted details, interesting signs of use, religious symbols to protect against evil spirits and decorative elements”. The floor plan and room heights remained unchanged.

  • Construction activity remains stable

    Construction activity remains stable

    Construction activity realised a small year-on-year increase of 0.4 percent to CHF 4.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025, the Swiss Federation of Master Builders(SBV) reported in a press release. It estimates construction activity to be stable despite the international trade conflicts. For the year as a whole, the association expects construction activity to grow by 1.1 per cent year-on-year.

    The SBC experts observed different developments in the individual sectors of the construction industry in the quarter under review. Commercial construction, for example, was 7 per cent weaker than in the first quarter of 2024. By contrast, construction activity in public building construction increased by 23 per cent at the same time. In civil engineering, a decline in private construction activity was largely offset by growth of 2.8 per cent in the much stronger public civil engineering sector. The bottom line is that construction activity in civil engineering fell by around 2 per cent.

    In the press release, the SBC emphasises the “surprisingly” positive development in residential construction. At CHF 1.7 billion, turnover here was 2.4 per cent higher than in the same quarter of the previous year. The SBC experts consider the 11 per cent year-on-year growth in new orders observed at the same time to be “particularly pleasing”. They attribute this to the increased number of building applications in the previous year, which is now “gradually being reflected in the order books”.

  • Design guidelines for historic residential quarter

    Design guidelines for historic residential quarter

    Negotiations are underway for the design and further development of the Winterthur terraced single-family housing estate Eigenheimquartier for 120 owner-occupiers. Urban planners OSRI from Lucerne, the Eigenheimquartier Winterthur association and the cantonal monument preservation authority are involved in the process. The results should lead to greater legal certainty and faster building permits for the historic properties, according to a press release from OSRI.

    The housing estate known as the “self-help colony” dates back to the period after the First World War. It was built as a counter-reaction to the great housing shortage and is one of the most important small housing estates in the canton of Zurich with a historically significant residential character, according to OSRI.

    The appearance is characterized by a “generally simple design language”. In order to maintain uniformity, the current negotiations are subject to a design guideline, which was drawn up on behalf of the cantonal monument preservation authority and with the participation of the landowners. This is intended to set out criteria that must apply when redesigning the existing 90 detached and 28 semi-detached houses. Specifically, the following questions will be addressed: Should the rows of houses once again have a uniform color scheme? What shape can skylights have? How much can the ridge height increase after the roof has been insulated?

    OSRI is responsible for deadlines, documentation and communication in the process. In the fall, it is planned to let the residents have their say. Their results will be presented at an information and dialog event and put up for debate.

  • Protect property more effectively against squatters

    Protect property more effectively against squatters

    On Monday, the Council of States adopted the Federal Council’s proposal to amend the Civil Code by a large majority. Owners should now be able to reclaim their property themselves within a “reasonable period” after becoming aware of an occupation. Previously, the condition “immediately” applied. This change gives owners more flexibility and room for maneuver in the event of unlawful occupation.

    Rapid eviction even in the case of unknown squatters
    The second key amendment to the law is also intended to enable homeowners to obtain an eviction more quickly, especially if the number or identity of the squatters is unclear. This should prevent unlawful occupations from continuing in the long term and owners from having to bear high follow-up costs.

    Controversial voices from the Council of States
    However, the bill was not uncontroversial. Carlo Sommaruga, SP member of the Council of States from Geneva, criticized the tightening of the law as superfluous, as many squats are regulated by interim use agreements anyway. According to Sommaruga, rising rents and the housing shortage are much more relevant in this context.

    Further process in parliament
    Although there is still a small difference of opinion between the two chambers, the way has basically been paved for a stronger position for owners in the case of squatting. The bill now returns to the National Council for finalization.

  • Insight into building permits and renovation dynamics

    Insight into building permits and renovation dynamics

    With the white paper “Retrofitting the Future”, the CRML at HEC Lausanne, together with E4S, is presenting a sound basis for assessing progress in the building sector. The analysis of over 45,000 building permits issued in 2024 provides a precise picture of how the Swiss real estate sector is progressing towards climate neutrality and where it is still encountering obstacles.

    Lots of potential, little energy efficiency
    The study shows that significant trends are emerging in the renovation of buildings. However, only a small proportion of renovations are directly aimed at improving energy efficiency. Although the transition to low-emission buildings has begun, it is not yet sufficient to achieve the ambitious climate targets.

    Financial challenge for real estate funds
    The report also highlights the role of real estate investment vehicles (REIVs). In order to achieve the climate targets by 2050, they would have to mobilize an average of 13 percent of their net assets, a total of CHF 28.3 billion, for energy-efficient renovations. Some market players will have to invest far more than this average, as the authors emphasize.

    Data-based perspective for the future
    “By combining current data and detailed project typologies, we create a bridge from theoretical analysis to a concrete basis for action,” explains Dr. Nathan Delacrétaz, co-author of the white paper. Together with Professors Eric Jondeau and Fabio Alessandrini, he is thus providing a decisive impetus for the urgently needed real estate turnaround in Switzerland.

  • Master plan for the Jenny site

    Master plan for the Jenny site

    The approximately 30-hectare Jenny site of Fritz Caspar Jenny AG is deeply rooted in the industrial history of the Glarus region. Where textile production has taken place since 1834, a multi-layered site with new prospects is being created today. The proximity to Ziegelbrücke railroad station, the size of the site and the existing infrastructure make the area a key location for economic and urban development in the canton.

    Planning with vision and participation
    A strategic master plan was developed as part of a multi-stage process, based on comprehensive test planning with four interdisciplinary teams. The resulting findings form the basis for a long-term development that is aligned with regional spatial planning, economic potential and social diversity. The winning design by Blättler Dafflon Architekten with Tony Fretton Architects and Studio Vulkan impressed with its strong combination of nature, building culture and open spaces.

    Diverse use as a location strategy
    The site already combines a variety of uses. From the Carlsberg Supply Company to creative work and residential forms such as Loft Z25 and the Glarus cantonal vocational school. The master plan builds on this diversity and expands it to include new educational, service and residential facilities. A hotel project is also being examined. The aim is to permanently establish and sustainably revitalize the Jenny site as a business, residential and educational location.

    Building culture as an identity-forming element
    Respectful treatment of the architectural heritage is central to the development. The site is part of the inventory of sites worthy of protection in Switzerland. Existing buildings of architectural and historical significance are to be preserved and integrated in a targeted manner. The listed riding stable, for example, is intended to enrich the new site concept as a defining element and contribute to the identity of the location.

    Focus on the legal framework
    The implementation of the master plan requires adapted land use planning. The project is currently awaiting the legal validity of land use planning II of the municipality of Glarus Nord. The first steps towards rezoning have been taken, but key legal requirements are still outstanding. Once this process has been completed, the development potential of the Jenny site can be fully exploited. A decisive step for the future of the site.

  • sfb course in building automation HF increases efficiency in companies

    sfb course in building automation HF increases efficiency in companies

    Students on the Building Automation HF programme at sfb – Höhere Fachschule für Technologie und Management develop innovative projects for practical application, almost all of which are implemented, according to the press release. This benefits the Swiss economy, for example in the context of the Energy Strategy 2050 or other efficiency improvements. According to the sfb, the programme, which focuses on energy efficiency and building informatics, provides knowledge on how to operate the trades in a complex building as energy-efficiently as possible. 90 per cent of the final theses have a practical relevance, and it is not uncommon for students to make a career leap as a result. This is demonstrated, for example, by alumni Fabian Haist, who has completed further training to become a qualified building automation engineer HF and was available to answer questions for a series of sfb interviews.

    Based on his experience as an electrical planner, Fabian Haist prepared for his next career step with the sfb further training programme. “It played a key role in helping me to reach my current position, as a lot of the content was a perfect fit for my job profile,” he is quoted as saying. As an energy engineer at the Office for Environment and Energy of the Canton of Basel-Stadt (AUE), he is now responsible for implementing the cantonal energy law.

    In his diploma thesis, he planned an energy-related operational optimisation in a Basel school building and further developed the enforcement practice. According to Fabian Haist, the analysis has shown that even simple energy optimisations can lead to considerable savings: Energy savings of 15 per cent and cost savings of 17 per cent had been achieved in the Basel school building. The measures he has defined should now simplify the verification of operational optimisation.

    According to the sfb, the further education programme in building automation takes six semesters to complete, provided that the student has completed relevant vocational training. In addition to building automation, the module content includes data security, digital construction, renewable energies and fire protection. Skills in leadership, communication and teamwork are also taught. Details are available at information events in person and online as well as from a further education counselling service. The next start date is 13 August 2025.

  • Cooperation strengthens digital precision in infrastructure construction

    Cooperation strengthens digital precision in infrastructure construction

    Amberg Technologies AG from Regensdorf, part of the Amberg Group, is joining forces with Topcon Positioning Systemsfrom Livermore in the US state of California. The aim of the cooperation is “to enable interoperability between Topcon’s sensor solutions and Amberg Technologies’ software and hardware platforms for rail and tunnel applications”, the two international partner companies write in a joint press release. The background to this is the endeavor of Amberg and Topcon to be able to offer joint customers “fully integrated solutions”.

    Amberg Technologies specializes in measurement solutions for the construction of roads, railways, subway railroads and other infrastructure. Founded in 1981, the Regensdorf-based subsidiary of the Amberg Group also offers measurement solutions for monitoring such infrastructure. Topcon Positioning Systems, which belongs to the Tokyo-based Topcon Corporation, develops, produces and distributes precision measurement and workflow solutions for the construction, geodata and agricultural sectors.

  • Swissbau 2026 rethinks the construction industry

    Swissbau 2026 rethinks the construction industry

    With a clear focus on content and new formats, Swissbau Lab 2026 is sending out a strong signal. The transformation of the construction and real estate industry will no longer just be discussed, but brought to life. The four key topics “Smart technologies”, “Digitalization in the planning and construction process”, “Circular economy” and “Climate change” structure the programme. Current challenges meet real solutions, which are jointly designed by partners from business, science and start-ups.

    The event starts with a clear appeal to the industry. Tobias Hofmeier and Fabian Cortesi emphasize the role of Swissbau Labs as a networking platform for thinking and implementing the most pressing issues of the present. In 2026, the innovation workshop will not only be larger in terms of space, but also more in-depth in terms of content. The newly created workshop area in particular will create space for direct experience, practical applications and new technologies. This will be hands-on, interactive and directly on site. An additional trade fair day on Saturday will also focus more on interior design and contact with end customers.

    Dialogue instead of individual opinions
    Partners present current projects and pioneering solutions on the Main Stage. In a pointed, interdisciplinary manner and in exchange with experts. The contributions show how technological and structural innovation can work together if they are conceived in a networked way and implemented across disciplinary boundaries. Christoph Schaer from suissetec emphasizes the importance of synergies through digitalization. Markus Weber from Bauen digital Schweiz calls for a common language in the construction data space. Margarete Olender from the FHNW sees not only ecological, but above all economic potential in the circular economy. Sibylle Wälty from Resilientsy advocates robust local infrastructures as a response to climate change.

    The daily live demonstrations in the workshop area make Swissbau Lab 2026 a trade fair of action. Innovations are not only presented, but demonstrated in real time. Technologies, materials and processes can be tried out, evaluated and discussed. Another highlight is the Speakers Corner, where projects, workflows and digital solutions are presented in pitch format and critically evaluated in the subsequent talk.

    A place where new standards are created
    In 2026, Swissbau Lab will once again be a place where the industry outgrows itself, with new approaches, genuine cooperation and the will to change. The challenge is no longer whether digitalization will come, but how it will become the new normal. Amidst a plethora of digital solutions, the question of how people, technology and value creation can interact optimally remains central.

    For the Swiss construction and real estate industry, Swissbau Lab 2026 offers both orientation and exchange. Anyone who wants to actively shape change will find ideas, partners and inspiration here.

  • High-tech timber construction meets craftsmanship

    High-tech timber construction meets craftsmanship

    For centuries, wood was regarded as a traditional craft material. Today, however, it is driving an ecological and technological revolution in the construction sector. Automation, artificial intelligence and digital planning are transforming the timber construction industry. The mix of proven carpentry skills and modern technology makes it possible to implement projects faster, more economically and more sustainably.

    Hybrid systems
    Hybrid timber construction makes targeted use of the respective advantages of timber and concrete. Load-bearing structures made of glulam are combined with reinforced concrete layers. Such composite ceilings enable large spans, reduce the weight and improve the physical properties of the building. Prefabrication increases efficiency on the construction site. Examples such as the Timber Peak in Mainz demonstrate the economic and urban development potential of this technology.

    The potential of transparent wood
    Researchers are working on a material that replaces glass: transparent wood. By removing the lignin and filling the cell structure with polymer resin, a material is created that lets light through, is robust and offers excellent thermal insulation. Applications range from windows and light-flooded façades to building-integrated solar panels. Ideal for energy-efficient architecture with high design quality.

    3D printing with wood
    Wood filaments enable the additive production of smaller objects with the feel and look of real wood. Although this technology is not yet suitable for structural timber construction, new areas of business are opening up in the fields of interior design, model making and individual components. Large-format printing with wood composites in combination with robotics and generative design is already under development.

    Wood foam the next generation of insulation
    Wood foam is a completely bio-based insulating material made from waste wood. Manufactured without synthetic binders, it offers good insulation values, is dimensionally stable and can be recycled. The first industrial applications are about to enter the market. Wood foam is a promising alternative to traditional foams, especially for projects with a focus on sustainability.

    Augmented reality on the construction site
    AR technologies bring digital construction plans directly to the construction site. Using tablets or AR glasses, fitters can view component positions and pipe systems with millimetre precision. This speeds up assembly processes, avoids errors and improves communication between the planning office and the execution team. Initial pilot projects show clear time and cost benefits.

    Artificial intelligence as a planning assistant
    From automated floor plan development to quality assurance on timber surfaces. AI is increasingly being used throughout the entire construction process. Particularly exciting are systems for material optimization that minimize waste and maximize the use of residual materials. Ageing simulations and adaptive machine control systems are also becoming a reality.

    Robotics is revolutionizing manufacturing
    Robotic arms that mill, screw and assemble are no longer a dream of the future. Today, collaborative robots work side by side with skilled workers. They take on heavy or monotonous tasks and increase precision. Research projects in Zurich, Biberach and Austria show that robots can be used economically in timber construction. The combination of AI, sensor technology and robotics will enable virtually autonomous production in the future.

    Timber construction is becoming an investment in the future
    The timber construction of tomorrow stands for efficiency, sustainability and design diversity. For investors and project developers, it offers opportunities to realize properties economically and future-proof. Especially where ESG criteria, construction time and location quality are decisive for market success. Intelligent timber construction is more than just a trend, it is a strategic advantage for Switzerland as a business location.

  • No delay to the new city quarter in Winterthur despite official requirements

    No delay to the new city quarter in Winterthur despite official requirements

    Cham Swiss Properties AG assumes that there will be “no significant delay” to the Rocket & Tigerli construction project in the centre of Winterthur’s new Lokstadt residential district. As the property developer explains in a press release, the “sometimes significant conditions” imposed by the city of Winterthur as part of the building permit process have led to an in-depth review of the plans. However, the property company is taking the official conditions as an opportunity to “improve the project once again”. After all, Rocket & Tigerli should “fully fulfil its urban significance” with the adjustments.

    This project consists of the 100 metre high Rocket tower and the three adjacent base buildings called Tigerli. This ensemble will be built in the centre of the new Lokstadt residential district in Winterthur. According to the information provided, the conditions now imposed by the city for this project primarily relate to the extent of public use of the top floor and access to the areas on the ground floor.

    CEO Thomas Aebischer describes the formal legal appeal against the building permit as “a formality that comes with the process. For us, however, the focus is clearly on constructive dialogue with the Office for Urban Development and the Office for Building Permits.” This will also clarify whether a new building application is necessary.

    Cham Swiss Properties AG was only created in April 2025 from the merger of Ina Invest AG and Cham Group AG.

  • Spatial concept Switzerland without substance

    Spatial concept Switzerland without substance

    The revision of the Swiss Spatial Concept was intended to provide a strategic compass for spatial development up to 2050. However, the document presented in December 2024 does not adequately address key issues such as densification, infrastructure and conflicts of use. Yet the demand for intelligently utilised space, resilient infrastructure and sustainable solutions for growing cities and regions is more urgent than ever before.

    Densification remains unresolved
    The depiction of advanced inner-city development is at odds with reality. Replacement new builds, a key means of densified construction, are still fraught with uncertainties and hurdles. There is a lack of a pragmatic implementation concept that creates clear rules, facilitates investment and accelerates site development. This is an omission with consequences for housing construction and the competitiveness of urban areas.

    Transport is blocked instead of facilitated
    A further deficit can be seen in the transport infrastructure. The spatial concept neglects the need for efficient transport routes and promotes a conflict between road and rail. However, sustainable location development requires networked mobility strategies that fulfil both economic and social requirements.

    Without political backing, everything remains theory
    In addition to its substantive weaknesses, the concept lacks clear political legitimisation. Without broad-based governance structures, the paper will remain ineffective. The Swiss Federation of Master Builders has therefore submitted amendments and rejects the draft in its current form.

    Conclusion for the property industry
    If you want to develop locations and help shape Switzerland as an attractive place to live and do business, you need solid framework conditions and a realistic planning policy. The current spatial concept offers neither. It is time for a practice-orientated model that creates planning security, facilitates investment and strengthens the attractiveness of locations in the long term.

  • Business opportunities in the Uri valley floor

    Business opportunities in the Uri valley floor

    Werkmatt Uri is one of the last large land reserves in the Uri valley floor. The first industrial uses with a direct railway connection were already established here during the First World War. The listed grain stores designed by architects Eduard Züblin and Robert Maillart in 1912/13 are particularly characteristic. These buildings will be preserved as landmarks and converted into an exhibition centre and art warehouse. The canton is investing in infrastructure to further develop the area between the new Altdorf cantonal railway station and the future Altdorf South motorway junction.

    Optimum location and economic impetus
    Uri is strategically located on the most important European north-south axis with the Gotthard Base Tunnel and the A2 motorway. The immediate proximity to the Altdorf intercity railway station and a modern bus concept promote the accessibility of Werkmatt. The improved accessibility provides impetus for economic and residential projects. With “Vena”, “Cubo” and “Strickermatte”, private investors have realised modern residential developments within walking distance.

    Development with vision
    Kässbohrer Schweiz AG has already recognised the added value of Werkmatt and relocated its headquarters to Altdorf in 2019. The new service building has created 30 qualified jobs in the areas of administration, sales, service, training, final assembly and production of special vehicles, mainly snow groomers. Werkmatt AG is also developing an innovative utilisation concept for building plots 9 and 13. The plans include a multifunctional centre with a business hotel with 80 rooms, co-working spaces, commercial and cultural spaces, restaurants and fitness and recreation areas.

    Targeted planning for sustainable growth
    As the owner, the canton of Uri is striving for a win-win situation with the future owners, users and investors in the area. The plots are to be sold and built on gradually over the next few years. The canton is developing the Werkmatt Uri site in a coordinated manner so that sustainable economic uses are created in the interests of the region as a whole. To this end, it is drawing up guidelines – including those relating to workplace density. The neighbourhood design plan serves as a planning instrument for investors and companies wishing to build on the site, which is binding on the owner and defines the parcel of land. It sets guidelines regarding utilisation, design and infrastructure.

    Success through co-operation
    Werkmatt Uri is an example of coordinated and sustainable site development. Companies benefit from a committed administration, short decision-making processes and needs-orientated solutions. The region expects the project to provide long-term economic impetus and create more than 1,000 jobs.
    Werkmatt Uri is therefore much more than just an industrial area, it is an economic driver and an attractive location for forward-looking companies.

  • LG site becomes an urban neighbourhood

    LG site becomes an urban neighbourhood

    The transformation of the LG site aims to create a lively, open district characterised by architectural quality and urban flair. The project is based on a development plan that ensures that urban development and architectural standards as well as social and ecological aspects are incorporated into the planning. In a study process, the team Salewski Nater Kretz, pool Architekten, Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur and mrs partner were selected as the winners, whose concept forms the basis for the neighbourhood development.

    Purchase of land by the city of Zug
    In order to influence the urban use and price development on the LG site in the long term, the city of Zug is planning to purchase a central plot of land on Theilerplatz. The cost of the plot amounts to CHF 65 million. This transaction will soon be dealt with by the Grand Municipal Council. This acquisition will enable the city of Zug to influence the design of the neighbourhood and ensure that affordable living space is created in the heart of Zug in the near future, as demanded by the people of Zug in June 2023 when they approved the 2000-apartment initiative.

    Remodelling work on the LG site
    While the long-term development plans for the upgrading of the LG site are in the political planning process, two existing buildings on the UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG site are currently being renovated. These are Gartenstadt 2a and the brick building at Zählerweg 3-9, both of which are adjacent to the Shedhalle with the “Freiruum”. This renovation is being carried out by property developer and total contractor Losinger Marazzi AG outside of the ordinary development plan procedure on the LGAreal and is being implemented in stages.

    Occupation by 2027
    The building at Gartenstadt 2a should be completed by mid-2026 and provide space for new commercial tenants. The 60 or so flats at Zählerweg 3-9, on the other hand, are expected to be ready for occupation in early 2027. If everything goes according to plan, the “Freiruum” will move into the ground floor of the 200-metre-long building at this time. Once the LG-Areal development plan comes into force, the Shedhalle can be renovated in a further stage in order to offer the “Freiruum” its long-term premises from 2029.
    New urban neighbourhood
    By 2032, the once “forbidden city” will become an open and mixed neighbourhood with an industrial character and urban flair. Around 1,200 flats and 2,300 jobs will one day be on offer. Theilerplatz, the heart of the new urban quarter, will be transformed into a central meeting place for neighbourhood residents and the city’s population with inviting places to spend time and green open spaces.

  • New construction technology stores CO2 in buildings

    New construction technology stores CO2 in buildings

    Holcim and ELEMENTAL are presenting a new method for binding carbon in buildings at the Architecture Biennale in Venice, according to a press release. This new biochar technology will be presented there from 10 May to 23 November 2025 as part of the Time Space Existence exhibition. It is being organised by the European Cultural Centre.

    On display will be full-size, minimalist prefabricated parts of a prototype for so-called incremental housing construction. The structures on display were designed by ELEMENTAL and are based on two decades of research. They consist of prefabricated concrete frames with sanitary infrastructure that can be used to build homes for low-income people in economically disadvantaged areas.

    These prefabricated elements were built by Holcim. They consist of 100 per cent recycled aggregates and biochar. Biochar binds CO2 permanently, which would otherwise be released by organic materials at the end of their life cycle. As Holcim calculates, one kilogramme of biochar prevents the release of up to three kilogrammes of CO2. This biochar is added to Holcim’s low-CO2 cement, mortar and concrete mixes. This further reduces their CO2 footprint without compromising their performance, as Holcim emphasises.

    “Holcim’s new decarbonisation technology allows us to cope with the scale and speed of demand fuelled by the housing crisis without harming the environment,” ELEMENTAL founder Alejandro Aravena is quoted as saying. Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic adds: “Through our partnership with Alejandro Aravena and the ELEMENTAL team, we have shown how Holcim’s new carbon sink technology can shape the future of construction.”

  • Construction of new soil treatment plant for more sustainable concrete

    Construction of new soil treatment plant for more sustainable concrete

    STRABAG has broken ground for the construction of a wet-mechanical soil processing plant in Bürglen, according to a press release. The new plant will enable the extraction of recycled concrete from soil material and construction waste. STRABAG is also investing in a new building for its subsidiary Beton AG at the site.

    According to the company, the plant works like a “washing machine for stones”. The raw material from soils and building rubble is crushed with a crusher and then washed. In the next step, the clean stone is separated from metal, plastic, glass or wood and screened.

    The processed stones are then mixed with cement and water to produce new concrete for building houses and bridges as well as for road construction. The aim is to reduce the consumption of raw materials and promote a sustainable circular economy. “This protects the environment because we don’t have to extract as much new primary gravel from the earth. It also produces less waste,” they say.

    Installation of the plant technology is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with commissioning scheduled for autumn 2026. Production is set to begin in 2027.

  • Development plans are being revised and expanded in Hünenberg

    Development plans are being revised and expanded in Hünenberg

    OSRI AG from Lucerne is supporting the Zug municipality of Hünenberg in the implementation of two development plans. According to a press release, the urban planning and spatial development company is to assist the municipality with the transfer of existing development plans, to finalise the planning basis and to coordinate with cantonal authorities. The aim is to create a consistent, legally compliant basis.

    Parallel to this work, OSRI is to draw up a development plan for the Langrüti conservation area. This will integrate the building structure, the open space planning and the urban planning connection.

    With this joint project, Hünenberg aims to drive forward sustainable community development in which the existing buildings are harmonised with future developments.

  • Mirror pyramid opens up new perspectives for art and architecture

    Mirror pyramid opens up new perspectives for art and architecture

    Nüssli Schweiz AG from Hüttwilen has been commissioned by the town of Monheim am Rhein to build an extension to the Mack Pyramid, according to a press release. The pyramid was designed in 1990 by artist Heinrich Mack and architect Horst Schmidges.

    Nüssli has been awarded the construction contract as general contractor by Art Hub Immobilienverwaltungsgesellschaft der Stadt Monheim. The Thurgau event construction company will realise the architectural design H Eins by students Ruth Martin and Malte Grobenstieg, whose design won a competition organised by the Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft.

    In the new building, another mirror-inverted pyramid will be placed on top of the existing Mack building. Both the two newly created floors and the renovated old pyramid will offer spacious exhibition rooms for contemporary art. Storage and exhibition space for collections will also be created.

    The topping-out ceremony for the building is scheduled for 8 March 2026, Heinrich Mack’s 95th birthday. The first exhibitions are then scheduled to begin in autumn 2026 and full operation in June 2027.

    “We are proud that the city of Monheim am Rhein is once again relying on our extensive expertise and we are very much looking forward to successfully implementing this special project together with our partners,” said Andy Böckli, Group CEO of Nüssli, in the press release. The company has already realised the construction of an eight-court sports hall in Monheim from 2023 to 2025. This sports hall, currently the largest in Europe, was inaugurated on 31 March 2025.