The event was moderated by Monika Schärer, who confidently guided the guests through the afternoon. After a brief welcome, Arun Banovi, owner of immo!nvest/immoTable, and Christoph Lang, managing director of FRZ Flughafenregion Zürich, were briefly asked about the economic region and the connection with immo!nvest.
In addition, Fabian Streiff from the Zurich Business Development Agency gave the first presentation and presented the region in more detail. From this it emerged that the canton of Zurich is a globally significant hub for artificial intelligence (AI). He also introduced us to the innovation hubs in the Zurich airport region, including the Digital Health Center (Bülach), The Circle (Kloten) and the Zurich Innovation Park (Dübenorf).
As the second speaker, Hans Egloff, President of HEV Switzerland, brought us closer to the topic of digitization in the real estate industry. Using various examples, he explained the opportunities and risks of digitization. For example, the AHV number serves as a personal identifier in the electronic land register and this entails a large group of authorized users and thus a large potential for misuse.
Before the break, Tindaro Milone, Head of Large Plants, presented the EKZ and explained what is currently happening in the energy sector. For example, the scarcity of resources, climate change, politics and customer needs. He then presented the future of energy, it is mainly about decarbonization, digitization and decentralization. Of course, sustainability is also a topic that is very topical and will continue to occupy you in the future. He completed his presentation on the subject of electricity storage.
After the first part of the program there was a break that was used for the first talks. There were also cool drinks, refreshing fruits and delicious cakes.
This was followed by Dadvan Yousuf, who introduced us to his platform “Dohrnii”, where everyone can easily learn about cryptocurrencies in a playful way. The presentation also included the Dohrnii Markplace, the DHN Token and the Dohrnii DAO. Finally, he made the connection and opportunities between cryptocurrencies and the real estate industry.
Then Christoph Axmann, Chartered Surveyor MRICS at Wüest Partner, came on stage. With overviews of the population and employment development, he showed the demand in the Glattal-Furttal region. Then he showed which offer can be used to cover inquiries. Below that are investments, quantities, supply in relation to inventory and prices. Finally, he showed the development potential in the airport region.
The last speaker was René Götz from the business development department of the city of Bülach. He introduced the business location Bülach, showed the positioning, spoke about the goals and available development areas. The key sectors of the region, the space requirements of companies and the Digital Health Center Bülach were also included in the presentation.
The crowning glory was the exciting panel discussion with Doris Meier (Mayor of Bassersdorf), Christoph Lang (Managing Director of the FRZ Zurich Airport Region), Fabian Streiff (Local Promotion Canton of Zurich) and Heinz Eberhard (Eberhard companies).
During the aperitif with delicious appetizers and ice cream, there was a lot of networking. The atmosphere was very good and relaxed. Especially when the draw for the competition was due. You could win a trip to the Top of Europe – Jungfrau Joch with overnight stay and dinner for 2 people. This great prize was sponsored by eSMart, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. Monika Schärer made it exciting and presented the award to the delighted winner Markus Nussbaum.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all guests and speakers for the exciting afternoon. A big thank you also goes to the Eventalm for the great and flexible organization, the friendly service and the delicious treats. But we don’t want to forget our partners either, without you such an event would not have been possible! Thanks to EKZ, eternit, eSMART, Seitzmeir, Sunrise, SVIT Zurich, Rigips, PropTechMarket, Woonig and FRZ.
We hope to see some of you in Lausanne on October 6th and in Basel on November 24th. Until then, we wish you a nice summer!
The format is not new: Open House Worldwide, initiated in London in 1992 and now present in over 40 cities, has already delighted thousands of visitors in Switzerland. The “Open House Zurich” and “Open House Basel” events (the latter took place for the third time in mid-May and counted 21,000 building visits) have been held annually since 2016 and 2018 respectively.
The aim of “Open Doors Engadin” is to raise awareness of the architectural heritage in the Bergell and Engadin, to bring lay people and experts as well as guests and locals into an exchange, to promote dialogue and for all parties to participate in the public to enable discussion. “Open Doors Engadin” thus contributes to anchoring knowledge about architecture and its importance for the development of our living spaces in the public and enables the population to get to know and appreciate Baukultur objects in their local townscape.
With the increasing degree of digitization, the chances of the construction industry anchoring their solutions in the plans of the architects and thus being advertised as a lead product more often increase. In addition, information about availability and delivery times can be added more easily. However, according to BIM expert Matthias Uhl, the degree of digitization in the construction industry is still lagging behind other sectors, depending on the size of the company. “BIM represents one of the greatest opportunities of the last decades. From the design to the operation of the building, processes and steps can be mapped more efficiently, cheaply and transparently. But building material manufacturers now have to digitally prepare and provide their data for this,” states Uhl, who has developed a BIM solution for manufacturers with BIM & More Orchestra. He gives three reasons why manufacturers now have to prepare their product portfolio digitally and provide planners and architects with BIM data.
Firstly, the construction and real estate industries are already digital The degree of digitization of the large construction and real estate companies in Germany has reached a significant level in the past two years. The big players in the industry such as Drees & Sommer, Goldbeck or ZECH together make up a large proportion of the total planning volume. They have now become so digitized that they are increasingly dependent on digital products. “Out of necessity, they fall back on the products that are available in the leading planning programs with the appropriate level of detail,” explains Uhl. Building material manufacturers must realize that they only exist in the digital cosmos if they are digitally visible. Especially in view of the delivery and material bottlenecks, digital visibility is more important than ever for planners to check prices and availability beyond technical specifications.
Second: All future trends have a digital component Construction methods and trends are increasingly developing out of digitalization. Uhl: “Whether modular construction, sustainability or prefabrication: all relevant ideas have a digital component. Without digitization in planning and implementation, it doesn’t work at all.” This also suggests that manufacturers now have to deliver their data digitally if they want to participate in the megatrends or want to shape them. With the amount of data, the possible combinations increase for planners and offices, with which not only new structural solutions can be found. In addition, alternatives become visible in the event of other unavailabilities. “Let’s take a look at the sustainability megatrend using the example of the Building Circularity Passport in the coalition agreement,” says Uhl, giving another example from climate protection. With the Building Circularity Passport, the federal government has anchored the topic of circular economy as a mandatory element for the future in the coalition agreement. Only access to transparent product information allows consideration of recyclability. The circular economy does not work without information on the material composition, manufacturing method, service life, repairability and recycling options of the products. “Product information forms the basis for a transition to a circular economy,” says Uhl. There are no laws yet, but they will come soon. The first municipalities in Germany want to introduce the Building Circularity Passport for their new buildings, regardless of the legislation. Any new school, kindergarten or office building will require products whose recyclability has been assessed, calculated and certified.
Third: the complexity of the planning processes is increasing and with it the need for data Another reason for the provision of BIM data: The requirements for planning processes and thus for planners in terms of verification and calculations are becoming more and more complex. Planners and architects are therefore increasingly open to support from industry. “While today evidence of circular economy plays an increasingly important role, it used to be physical building requirements such as energy consumption, for example in the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV), in passive house calculations or energy-plus house concepts. These topics require a new level of data volume and information quality on the part of the planner,” explains Uhl. This need would continue to grow. This circumstance also requires the industry to make data available digitally now. “Product information from the industry has never been more popular than it is today. It has never been easier for manufacturers to gain acceptance from planners,” sums up the BIM data expert.
The federal government has presented a reference work for new buildings and buildings to be renovated that shows the effect of building materials on the heat in urban and densely populated areas. It was created by the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland on behalf of the Federal Office for Housing ( BWO ).
According to a media release by the BWO, the catalog compares materials for outdoor use such as floor coverings and facades and explains their effect on the outside temperature. It also takes into account other properties of the materials, such as how they reflect sunlight or how much water floor coverings allow to seep away.
The BWO calls on planners, developers and house owners to consult this material catalog when choosing suitable materials. In addition, the Office invites the scientific community to further develop and research the topic. Because according to the latest climate scenarios, the average temperatures in Switzerland will be 2.5 to 4.5 degrees higher by 2060 than in the period from 1981 to 2010. This means that the buildings that are being built or renovated today will be the microclimate of tomorrow shape.
Zurich Airport has chosen the Raumfachwerk project as the winner of its competition for the construction of the new airport terminal Dock A with tower and dock root. It prevailed against ten competitors and is intended to replace the existing and aging Dock A.
From 2030, according to a statement from Zurich Airport, “probably the largest airport dock to date made primarily of wood” will be built next to the existing Dock A while operations continue. The investments are estimated at around CHF 700 million.
The planning team for this project is led by the renowned architect Bjarke Ingels. In addition to his Copenhagen and New York-based architects’ office BIG , the largest architecture and engineering company in the USA, HOK , is also involved, as is the Zurich architects’ office 10:8 . For example, it was responsible for the conversion of Zurich Oerlikon station. The London engineering and consulting company Buro Happold , which is experienced in airport construction, is also part of this team, as is the engineering office Pirmin Jung from Rain, which specializes in timber construction.
According to Bjarke Ingels, the team tried to meet the complex global challenge of CO2 reduction with the simplest possible solution, a space structure made of solid wood: “A simple but expressive design that is rooted in tradition and committed to innovation and the cultural and natural elements of Swiss architecture.”
On behalf of the co-ownership, SPGI Zurich AG has rented two additional areas in the Baden connection . The Konnex building complex in the center of Baden is currently being completely renovated. According to themedia release , a “city in a city” offer will be available there by mid-2023. A total of around 35,000 square meters of space will be rented for this purpose.
According to the press release, the new tenants are Casino Davos AG and SkySale. Casino Davos has already moved in as an interim tenant and will move into its new 495 square meter space once the refurbishment is complete. SkySale Schweiz GmbH, better known under its apple box brand, is also a new tenant. It will move into around 814 square meters of space in early summer 2023.
The interest in the innovative multi-tenant concept of the Konnex is great and negotiations are currently taking place for many other areas. The city-in-city concept envisages a range of services and amenities, including restaurants, convenience stores, fitness, childcare and co-working.
SPGI Zurich AG, based in Zollikon, is a subsidiary of the Intercity Group , an independent real estate service provider with group companies in Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, Basel, St.Gallen, Olten SO and Zug. Since 1993, SPGI Zurich AG has been an alliance partner of Cushman & Wakefield , a leading global provider of real estate services with headquarters in Chicago and 53,000 employees in 60 countries worldwide.
The visualizations presented by the planning teams Van de Wetering Atelier für Stadtbau and Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur show “an idyll in the middle of the big city”, says a report in the “Tages-Anzeiger” on the planned redesign of the area between the main station and Central. Both concepts rely on green promenades, spacious squares and little traffic.
Pedestrian traffic has top priority in the Van de Wetering Atelier urban planning concept. “Pedestrians the size of the Street Parade stream through the Hauptbahnhof and Central area every day,” Han van de Wetering is quoted in the article. He therefore wanted to “clean up and create spacious, green spaces”.
In the concept of Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur, great importance is attached to close public transport connections and access to services. To this end, a new public transport stop is to be set up at Europaplatz and car traffic is to be concentrated on two main axes.
According to the report, both teams expected a “reduction in motorized private transport in the city center” in the long term. Above all, the civil engineering office recognized that both visions would avoid shifting traffic to the districts or to other urban axes and that the detailed development of the properties and the logistics for goods and trade would be retained. In a next step, the concepts are to be appraised by internal and external experts.
Holcim and the Norman Foster Foundation enter into a partnership. The aim is to develop a concept for the construction of 1000 emergency shelters and a medical facility in one day. According to a press release from Holcim, it is intended to offer the growing number of displaced persons dignified and resilient accommodation.
“More than 80 million people worldwide are currently being forced to flee their homes,” Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch is quoted as saying. “Emergency shelters can be more than just a roof over one’s head and should offer people the dignity and security of a home.”
A one-week workshop in Madrid, which will take place until June 10, will kick things off. Holcim will focus on innovations such as low-carbon concrete, lightweight prefabricated support structures and green cements for soil stabilization in the planned construction of 1,000 affordable, demountable and reusable shelters and medical facilities.
This collaboration follows Holcim’s goal of contributing a total of 500 million Swiss francs to creating positive social impact between 2021 and 2030. To this end, the company leads programs for affordable housing and infrastructure, as well as community initiatives for education, health and skills.
Yukon’s project management and consulting services focus on the implementation of collaborative project delivery models and lean management approaches in challenging construction projects. The company is currently supporting most of the projects in Germany that are carried out using the Integrated Project Management (IPA) model with multi-party contracts. Customers include well-known companies from industry and the real estate sector as well as public building owner organizations.
Yukon has also successfully completed its first orders in Switzerland. With the new branch, Yukon now offers customers in Switzerland the entire service portfolio in lean project management.
The new branch in Rotkreuz is represented by Thomas Hänggi. He brings over 20 years of experience in product and process development and project management in construction and other industries. We are pleased to have gained a proven expert in the field of integrated project management and lean management in construction for our commitment in Switzerland.
Implenia has been voted one of the best and most innovative construction companies in Germany at the German Construction Prize 2022 , the Opfikon-based construction and real estate company said in a press release . The company prevailed over 170 competitors in the category for companies with more than 500 employees and took second place behind Zech Bau . The podium was completed by Wolff & Müller .
“We are very proud to be among the top three in the German Construction Prize 2022 and to be one of the best major construction and real estate service providers in Germany,” Matthias Jacob, Country President Germany at Implenia, said in the statement. “This confirms our claim to set ourselves apart from the competition with our skills in the management of large, complex real estate and infrastructure projects and a clear focus on sustainability.”
The winners of the construction prize were determined by a jury in an extensive three-stage process. This year’s competition took place for the first time under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building , according to the statement.
The award ceremony took place on May 31 at the digitalBAU 2022 trade fair in Cologne. A young talent prize for innovative digital solutions in the construction industry was also awarded at the trade fair, Implenia reports. He was won from Implenia by a young specialist in Building Information Modeling (BIM).
In his motion of September 26, 2019, the then National Councilor Christoph Eymann (LDP/BS) asked the Federal Council to “submit an implementation concept for energy-efficient Minergie-P measures to reduce the 80 percent energy losses in the building sector and also the use of roof and facade surfaces for solar energy production”. The National Council approved the initiative in June last year. At its meeting on May 31, the Council of States also approved the motion, the parliamentary services inform in a statement .
However, because the Council of States has made an addition to the text, the motion will first go back to the National Council, is explained further in the communication. Specifically, the cantons should be involved in the development of the concept. This was recommended by the State Council Commission for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy ( Urek-S ) due to major cantonal differences in the existing building program.
The Federal Council supports Eymann’s motion. “In view of the increased energy prices, for example because of the Ukraine war, the concern is not only important in terms of climate policy, but also economically,” quoted the Parliamentary Services Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga. “The population can be relieved in this way.”
The train and bus connections in southern central Switzerland are bundled in the new cantonal train station in Altdorf. New train stops and additional connections significantly increase the potential for skilled workers. Knowledge-based service providers on the north-south axis benefit from direct access to the labor markets of the Greater Zurich Area and the greater Milan area and encounter technologies in the sectors of precision technology, alpine technology, traffic and safety technology and environmental technologies. With foresight, the canton of Uri has secured development areas on the Werkmatt Uri, which it is handing over exclusively for high-quality jobs at attractive conditions. With the new building of the Urner Kantonalbank directly on the edge of the platform of the new cantonal railway station, a working environment with offices ready for occupancy is offered. The German IT company Essendi IT recently opened its new Swiss headquarters at Bahnhofplatz.
The canton of Uri is also a fantastic living and leisure area with its lake landscape (water sports and sailing), the mountains and rivers (outdoor, climbing, hiking, Resort Andermatt), an authentic, unaffected area of experience with the primeval history and tradition of Switzerland . This creates inspiration for new business ideas.
The interim report on the promotion of the city of Dietikon covers the period from November 2021 to April 2022. According to the press release , it is intended to provide an overview of the activities carried out in the reporting period. As particular highlights of this work, the communication highlights the progress made in the Cleantech Hub Dietikon project, which started last autumn 2021, and in the Smart City Dietikon project.
According to the report , the mayor and location promoter visited 14 companies in the area of economic development and offered them help with various matters. Demand for commercial space remains high. There are regularly more rental requests than offers. We are looking for logistics areas and workshops with truck access and high ceilings. The number of start-ups and liquidations is said to be relatively constant.
According to the report, there are also bottlenecks in the supply of suitable commercial premises at the Cleantech Hub Dietikon. But the project is making progress. A core team has been working intensively on the structure since October. The Cleantech Hub Dietikon association was founded on February 15. There are currently several inquiries from start-ups who would like to rent space in the Cleantech Hub.
Regarding the progress of the Smart City Dietikon project, it is said that the implementation of the first sub-projects has been delayed. An e-mobility charging station at Zelgliplatz, an e-bike charging station at Velohaus and public WiFi at Kirchplatz are already in operation.
There are other reports on the “Mitenand für Dietike” ideas competition, the NetzwerkStadt for an attractive center and on city marketing and on fresh markets and seasonal markets such as the spring market.
The Canton of Uri and the municipality of Altdorf are opening up new business opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors in the Werkmatt Uri Land. Industrial, commercial and service companies will find flexible options here. More than 1,000 value-added jobs are to be created here in the future.
Sustainable economic development As the owner, the Canton of Uri is striving for a win-win situation with future investors, owners and users in the area. The public sector therefore invested a double-digit million amount in the area between the future cantonal railway station and the new Altdorf Süd half-way junction. The plots of land can be purchased or acquired with building rights.
The first plots have already been sold and the first development stage has been completed. In the next few years, further building plots are to be sold step by step and built on. The canton is developing the Werkmatt Uri area in a coordinated manner so that sustainable economic uses are created in the overall regional interest. The district design plan serves investors and companies willing to build as an owner-binding, plot-specific planning instrument. It sets guidelines in terms of use, design, infrastructure and, in particular, job density.
Noticeable increasing interest Interest in the Werkmatt Uri has increased again with the opening of the cantonal railway station in December 2021. The two listed buildings, the “Sackmagazin” by the architect Robert Maillart and the “Silomagazin” by the architect Eduard Züblin, have already been sold. Exciting collections of art objects can now be found where the federal government used to stack grain sacks for emergencies. Kässbohrer Schweiz AG, a manufacturer of off-road vehicles, is the first company to buy a plot of land and build on it. Other exciting projects are being planned – as the following articles in this magazine illustrate.
«With this residential and commercial building, we focused on a sustainable concept. Ecology, economy and social issues are in harmony. With “Cubo”, the focus is on the social and functional mix of the building. This is achieved with diverse and communal forms of use. With these future-oriented approaches, incentives are created for the establishment of new places of work and life in the region,” explains René Chappuis, management of the responsible CAS Group. The approach is convincing. The apartments and office space were rented out within a very short time. The opportunity to meet in the building in everyday life is particularly popular with commuters and newcomers.
Staircase as a meeting zone The cubic building shell encloses two commercial floors, four residential floors and an attic floor. A total of 36 high-quality rental units with 2.5 to 4.5 rooms have been realized. “Encounter, exchange and the opportunity for joint meetings characterize the room concept. The building surprises with a very generous access zone. The atrium, which is lit by daylight, also serves as a meeting place to promote social exchange between the residents,” explains Helen Chappuis, Management and Head of Architecture. To promote social communication, the laundry room is also located on the ground floor and designed as a washable area.
Green electricity from the roof During the planning, a high priority was given to sustainability. The building has a modern wooden facade and is heated with a groundwater heat pump, which is fed via the photovoltaic system installed on the flat roof. Charging stations for electric cars can easily be made available in the garage. The PV system with an output of 36 kilowatts produces around 34,000 kilowatt hours of green electricity per year. This means that around six tons of CO2 emissions can be avoided per year, which corresponds to around 42,000 kilometers driven by car. As part of an association for self-consumption (ZEV), the solar power is consumed on site as far as possible. In summer, excess solar power flows back into the grid, in winter additional energy is drawn from the public grid. Thanks to this innovative concept, the tenants receive solar power from their own roof, which costs even less than mains power.
«During the journey from Göschenen to Andermatt you can see and feel the power of these rough and massive rocks. It’s a sight I’ll never forget,” says Samih Sawiris, Egyptian visionary and investor, on his first trip to Andermatt. During his visit in 2005, he was supposed to support the Uri government as an advisor in making Andermatt more attractive again after the withdrawal of the Swiss army. But he quickly decided to develop a tourism project for Andermatt himself.
High level of construction activity in recent years This first visit to Andermatt is now 17 years ago. Andermatt is now in the middle of developing into a prime alpine destination. In the Andermatt Reuss district of the village, 15 apartment buildings were in operation at the beginning of the year, three under construction and several in the planning stage. In addition to the apartment buildings, there are two hotels: The Chedi Andermatt in the village center opened in 2013 and the Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen in 2018. The Gotthard Residences, apartments with hotel service, are connected to the Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen. In accordance with the sustainability principle of the Andermatt Swiss Alps, Andermatt Reuss is car-free, all houses are built to low-energy standards and the electricity comes from renewable sources.
How it all started The vision for the tourist destination was presented to the population of the Ursern Valley at the end of 2005. In March 2007, the municipality of Andermatt approved with 96% yes votes. As a result, the Swiss army sold a majority of the areas used for military purposes. The Andermatt Reuss part of the village is now being built on this ground. International architectural competitions were announced for the apartment buildings and the design of the master plan.
As a unique project of this scope and because of its national importance, the Federal Council exempted it from the Lex Koller in 2007, which also approved the district design plan.
In addition to real estate and the hotel industry, the tourist offer in the Ursern Valley is also being expanded. At the same time, Andermatt Swiss Alps AG took over the ski area in order to expand and modernize it. Over the course of three years, lifts were renewed or newly created and a continuous network of 120 km of slopes up to Sedrun was realised. Together with Disentis there are even 180 kilometers of pistes.
Year-round destination Andermatt New offers are also being created for the summer months. The Andermatt Swiss Alps Golf Course opened in 2015. This was awarded the globally recognized GEO certification. The 18-hole golf course was awarded Swisstainable Level III, leading by Switzerland Tourism. The cultural offer in Andermatt was supplemented in mid-2019 by the highest concert hall in the Alps. The Andermatt concert hall was designed by Studio Seilern Architects under the direction of Christina Seilern. A further 20,000 m2 of the infrastructure base is currently being created in order to build the next houses and hotels. A total of 42 apartment buildings, 6 four- and five-star hotels and several villas are planned.
Best location directly on the European north-south axis The most direct connection between Europe’s south and north has always been through Uri, but no later than the construction of the legendary Devil’s Bridge in 1230. Since the opening of the Gotthard railway tunnel in 1882, fast transport of people and goods has also been guaranteed by rail. And in 2016, a new work of the century went into operation with the Gotthard base tunnel: since then, Uri has been connected to the south by the longest railway tunnel in the world (57 km).
With the commissioning of the cantonal train station in Altdorf in 2021, the south and north moved even closer to Uri: Lugano can now be easily reached in 50 minutes, Milan in two hours and Zurich in one hour with direct connections.
The central location of the Uri site with advantageous connections at a glance.
Optimal cost environment Uri not only impresses with its advantageous location, but also with an attractive cost environment. On the one hand, the Gotthard canton combines several financial advantages for the benefit of the resident population: the tax burden, health insurance premiums and housing costs are relatively low. The proportion of properties with at least four rooms that can be afforded with a household income of CHF 134,000 is 31 percent on average in Switzerland in 2021. In Uri, this value is 40 to 50 percent. This underlines the attractive real estate prices in Uri. At the same time, the tax deduction options for families are well above the Swiss average. In this way, the people of Uri can freely dispose of around 50 percent of every franc they earn in Uri. In terms of disposable income and the financial attractiveness of living, the canton of Uri is among the clear leaders in Switzerland.
In the same way, companies also benefit from relatively inexpensive land and real estate prices. But Uri also outperforms many cantons in corporate tax competition. Because the Gotthard canton has had a flat rate tax for years – for both natural and legal persons. The low corporate taxes are particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized companies. The profit tax is around 12.6 percent and the capital tax is 0.001 percent (cantonal and municipal taxes in the municipality of Altdorf). Both in the Swiss and in the international comparison, Uri thus occupies an absolute top position!
Fast and reliable realization of business ideas Decision-makers and reliable partners in authorities, business and society can be reached quickly in Uri. After all, a small canton also means short distances. The small size also means tailor-made solutions, so that business ideas can be implemented pragmatically. In addition, Uri can boast of committed and effective employees who are characterized by loyalty and a high degree of identification with the employer.
Uniquely simple combination of work and leisure Kayaking before starting work? Cross-country skiing during the lunch break? Short hike in the evening with the family? Embedded in an attractive mountain and lake landscape, the canton of Uri with its local recreation areas makes this unique combination of work and leisure possible. In Uri there is energy and quality of life – discover this added value at work, after work and on days off.
Good things are so close: a unique combination of free time and work in the canton of Uri. (Image: Angel Sanchez)
Numerous investments in a small space A lot is currently being built in the canton of Uri. Hardly any other place invests so much in such a small space. This results in significant impulses that contribute to the noticeable spirit of optimism in the canton of Uri. The development of the Uri housing market is exemplary for this. In the last 10 years it has grown by almost 3,000 new apartments – that means a remarkable increase of 16 percent.
The resident population of Uri, which has stagnated in recent decades, has also been growing significantly again for several years. All of this underscores the attractive framework conditions, but is also thanks to the well-known investments in the Uri location.
Promotion to the tourist champions league Tourism development in Andermatt in particular has contributed to this growth. Due to the partial withdrawal of the military, the mountain community was faced with major challenges. Egyptian investor Samih Sawiris brought the turning point. Since 2009 he has invested more than CHF 1.3 billion together with fellow investors, thereby catapulting Andermatt into the tourism champions league. CHF 130 million went into the modernization and expansion of the winter and summer sports facilities. Further investments were made in an ecologically operated 18-hole golf course and in a multifunctional concert hall for brilliant music experiences as well as conferences and exhibitions. With Andermatt Reuss, a completely new part of the village was created with hotels, apartment buildings, restaurants and businesses and its own village square, the Piazza Gottardo.
With more than 1000 employees, Andermatt Swiss Alps AG, which operates the tourist resort, is now the largest employer in Uri. Andermatt is an up-and-coming and attractive tourist destination. Further investments are already planned: on the one hand, the new village part of Andermatt Reuss will be expanded in stages by another 18,000 m2. On the other hand, Vail Ski Resorts will take over the majority of the mountain railway infrastructure in Andermatt and plans further investments of over CHF 100 million.
Newly created part of the Andermatt Reuss village with a view of the «Piazza Gottardo». (Image: Andermatt Swiss Alps)
More mobility and attractiveness in the Uri valley floor Despite the impressive development in the mountain village of Andermatt and its importance for Uri as a business location: around 80 percent of the population of Uri live in the valley floor, where most of the service, industrial and commercial companies are concentrated. This area has undergone substantial changes in recent years. With the development focus of the Urner valley floor around the cantonal train station in Altdorf, Uri is tackling a project for generations: Here, sustainable uses are created in the overall regional interest and the corresponding economic, settlement and transport infrastructures are carefully coordinated.
An important milestone was reached in December 2021 with the commissioning of the new cantonal railway station in Altdorf. Intercity trains now stop in Altdorf, which connects the station to the Gotthard base line. The regional and national bus concept is also geared towards the new hub. Impetus for economic and settlement projects should arise from better accessibility. The first effects are already visible: in the immediate vicinity of the train station, modern residential developments have already been realized with “Vena” and “Cubo”. Others, such as the “Strickermatt” development in the immediate vicinity of the cantonal railway station, are in the works. The Cantonal Bank of Uri is also actively involved in the development of the new Uri transport hub. With its newly erected service building at Bahnhofplatz 1, it is committed to the overall economic development of the canton and the bank itself. State-of-the-art office space has been created there in a prime location. The UKB itself claims a third as its new headquarters, and a further 3100 m2 are rented out. Exciting new companies from Germany and abroad have already settled here.
Werkmatt Uri – space for business ideas The Werkmatt Uri in Altdorf is the central piece of the puzzle for the focus of development. It is the largest contiguous land reserve in Uri. The canton of Uri, as the owner, invested millions in the area between the new canton train station and the future half-junction to the motorway. On around 120,000 m2, the area offers business opportunities for future-oriented industrial, commercial and service companies. More than 1,000 jobs are to be created on the site in the future. The aim is to develop the area in a coordinated manner so that sustainable economic uses can arise. The public sector as the provider is striving for a win-win situation with investors and the future owners and users of the area.
What the Werkmatt could look like in the future, including the Autobahn half connection.
Further promising developments are pending The canton of Uri has already implemented various generation projects, as described above. Other important development projects are pending. A new traffic hub in Göschenen is being planned. In addition to the station for trains and buses and a multi-storey car park, a cable car connection from Göschenen station to the Andermatt ski area is being planned.
In addition, there is the west-east bypass in the Urner valley floor, which will relieve the settlement areas of road traffic and thus upgrade them. In Altdorf, a new half-junction to the motorway is being built, which will open up the Urner valley floor even better. The federal government is already working on the construction of the second Gotthard road tunnel. Finally, new bike paths are being created, which should make Uri even more attractive for non-motorised traffic. In addition, investments in education and research are becoming even more important. The first approaches are already there: on the one hand with the Institute for Alpine Cultures, which is dedicated to the special features of the Alpine region – from prehistoric evidence to specific traditions to the challenges of the present. On the other hand with the Logistikum Schweiz in Altdorf, a research and innovation center for logistics and supply chain management.
Promotion of the Uri location – your effective partner Many exciting developments are underway in the canton of Uri. Location promotion is working on using this momentum in an economically sustainable manner and converting it into jobs and added value for the entire canton. How does the Uri location promotion work?
On the one hand, we make the advantages of the Gotthard canton and the exciting developments visible. Location communication and marketing takes place via the web, print, trade fair appearances and via the personal network. In particular, membership in the Greater Zurich Area is intended to ensure that the Uri location and its advantages are even better perceived. Those interested in settling, as well as existing companies and start-ups, are supported by the location promotion in consultations or during site visits or the search for building land. It is also the information and contact point of the administration for the economy of Uri. In addition, she establishes contact with the key people in business, education, innovation promotion and authorities.
Wide range of tools The Uri location promotion can fall back on a wide range of instruments to support companies. They are custom-defined for each individual case. Innovative start-ups, for example, benefit from this in the form of start-up aid. Another option is to support cross-company initiatives with the New Regional Policy (NRP), a funding instrument for rural and mountain areas. As a start-up aid or pioneer, she can help entrepreneurial initiatives to achieve a breakthrough.
With the Uri location promotion, you can count on quick, competent and binding reactions to your concerns.
Welcome to the living and business location Uri. Grab the bull by the horns with us!
The transformation of the Sulzer area, initiated more than 20 years ago, has turned the former “forbidden industrial city” into a lively district “with many new residents, workers and numerous uses for customers”, writes the Winterthur city administration in a statement . This transformation is now almost complete, it says there. The work in the last sub-area Lockstadt should also be completed in the next few years.
The new district is now to be given uniform signage. It is based on “a simple signage concept appropriate to the area” and is intended to “ensure good orientation for visitors and customers,” explains the city administration. Street signs and house numbers are rust red, taken from the color palette of the former industrial area. The signposts in and through the area are also designed in rust red.
The area-specific signage should not only simplify orientation, but also “maintain and strengthen the identity of this special part of the city”, according to the statement. The concept and corresponding adjustments to the ordinance on street naming and the guidelines for building labeling in the area have already been approved by the city council.
The Zug-based building materials company Holcim has bought the Cajun Ready Mix Concrete company in the US state of Louisiana. According to a press release , Holcim intends to expand its ready-mixed concrete division by taking over the associated eight plants for ready-mixed concrete, 108 employees and 51 mixing vehicles.
Accordingly, the manufacturer of ready-mixed concrete is the largest company in its sector in the greater Baton Rouge area. “With this acquisition, we are expanding our presence in the dynamic Baton Rouge market and reaffirming our focus on growth in North America,” Toufic Tabbara, head of Holcim’s North America region, said in the press release. Cajun’s industry connections and technical skills make him an ideal fit for Holcim’s business.
Holcim does not disclose anything about the purchase price in its press release. Founded in 2014, Cajun provides concrete and customer service for residential, commercial and industrial partners.
Herr Camenzind, wie hat sich die Urner Standortentwicklung und Wirtschaftsförderung in den vergangenen Jahren verändert? Als ich 2012 ins Amt gekommen bin, haben wir die Ansiedlungsstrategie angepasst und sind eine Zusammenarbeit mit der Greater Zurich Area eingegangen. Das war ein wichtiger Schritt. Dann kam die Tourismusentwicklung in Andermatt dazu. Solche Entwicklungen sind wichtige Standortfaktoren und Verkaufsargumente. Man redet heute im Kanton Uri weniger über die Stausituation vor dem Gotthardtunnel sondern mehr über Andermatt. Die Entwicklung im Urner Talboden ist indes anders gelagert. Hier haben wir es in den letzten sechs, sieben Jahre vor allem mit Quartierentwicklungen zu tun gehabt. Wir als Kanton Uri besitzen im Urner Talboden auch Land, welches wir entwickeln möchten und das für Gewerbe und Industrie zum Verkauf steht. Ein weiterer wichtiger Standortfaktor ist der neue Kantonsbahnhof, an dem seit dem letzten Dezember internationale Züge halten. Bei uns ist in letzter Zeit sehr viel passiert. Diese Entwicklungen nehmen wir dankbar im Standortmarketing auf, damit wir spannende Geschichten erzählen können.
Was sind die Vor- und Nachteile der neuen Destination Andermatt und des Kantons generell? Der Vorteil von Andermatt ist ganz klar: Wir sind als Kanton Uri positiv im Gespräch. Wir können unser Image verbessern und etwas für die Ausstrahlung des ganzen Kantons tun. Alleine in Andermatt sind 1000 Arbeitsplätze neu geschaffen worden. Und das nicht etwa durch Umlagerungen oder Umstrukturierungen. Es sind Arbeitsplätze, die wir in der Art und Vielzahl bislang nicht hatten. Das ist sicher sehr positiv. Und es hilft uns wiederum auch auf anderen Gebieten, wo wir vielleicht noch schwächer aufgestellt sind. Dieser Effekt strahlt mittlerweile in die umliegenden Gemeinden aus. All das wirkt sich positiv aus – bis hinunter in den Urner Talboden um Altdorf. Die Nachteile sind gestiegene Immobilienpreise – vor allem in Andermatt. Das ist teils schwierig für die lokale Bevölkerung. Ich bin aber überzeugt, dass Andermatt und seine Bevölkerung unter dem Strich von der Tourismusentwicklung profitieren.
Wie sieht die Situation im Kantonshauptort Altdorf aus? Hier in Altdorf sind wir gut unterwegs – insbesondere dank dem neuen Verkehrsknotenpunkt in Altdorf. Dadurch ist der Kanton noch besser erschlossen. Wir haben hier gute Entwicklungen, etwa mit der Dätwyler in Schattdorf, welche unter anderem Kaffee-Kapseln für Nespresso herstellt. Die Perspektiven des Kantons Uri sind wesentlich besser als noch vor 20 Jahren. Vorher haben wir nur von Arbeitsplatzabbau der RUAG, SBB und beim Militär geredet. Das ist nicht mehr das Thema. Heute suchen die Firmen hier händeringend nach Arbeitskräften.
Wie sehen Angebot und Nachfrage auf dem Urner Immobilienmarkt aus? In Altdorf und im Urner Talboden ist in den letzten zehn Jahren so viel gebaut worden wie noch nie. Die Befürchtungen, es gebe aufgrund der Neubauten irgendwann hohe Leerstände, haben sich glücklicherweise nicht bewahrheitet. Wir haben keine hohe Leerwohnungsziffer. Es sind in den vergangenen zehn Jahren etwa 3000 Wohnungen im Kanton neu gebaut worden. Das ist für Urner Verhältnisse viel. Die Preise sind hingegen stabil geblieben und nicht unter Druck geraten. Das hat vielleicht auch damit zu tun, dass wir im Verhältnis wenig Wohnfläche pro Einwohner hatten. Bis vor zehn Jahren waren wir noch bei etwa knapp 40 Quadratmeter pro Person. Im Schweizer Schnitt sind wir mittlerweile bei 50 Quadratmeter pro Person. Da haben wir jetzt ein wenig aufgeholt. In den letzten fünf, sechs Jahren ist darüber hinaus auch ein Bevölkerungswachstum im Kanton Uri festzustellen. Dies absorbiert die Wohnungen, die gebaut werden. Der Markt funktioniert.
Wie geht es dem Gewerbestandort Uri? Eine der stärksten Branchen im Kanton Uri war schon immer die Baubranche. Das hat mit den grossen Infrastrukturprojekten zu tun: Kraftwerke, Bahngeleise, Autobahn, Tunnelbau. Das sind alles Baumeisteraufgaben. Da wird etwas gebaut, später stehen dann Sanierungen in regelmässigen Abständen an. Nehmen wir beispielsweise die Autobahn: Die Gotthardautobahn wird – mit der notwendigen Sanierung – jetzt quasi zum dritten Mal gebaut. In diesem Bereich tut sich also immer etwas. Dann ist Dätwyler mit seinen etwa 900 Angestellten in Uri ein sehr wichtiger Akteur. Die Metallverarbeitung war bei uns schon immer stark. Wir haben sehr viele mechanische Metallverarbeitungsbetriebe mit grossem Knowhow.
Wir kommen auf den Neubau der Urner Kantonalbank zu sprechen: Welche Impulse gehen davon aus? Auf den entstandenen Büroflächen konnten bereits spannende Firmen eingemietet oder angesiedelt werden, unter anderem das norwegische Software-Unternehmen Crayon. Das ist eine internationale Firma, die auch weiterwächst und erst vor wenigen Jahren in den Kanton Uri gekommen ist. Das hilft uns und dem Standort. Auch ziehen solche Erfolgsgeschichten immer weitere Ansiedlungen an. Das hat Ausstrahlung über den Standort Altdorf hinaus. Zusätzlich entstehen noch weitere Bauwerke rund um den Kantonsbahnhof wie Wohnungen und Geschäfts- und Gewerbeflächen. Es ist wichtig, dass wir am verkehrsreichsten Punkt von Uri eine weitsichtige und ausgewogene Entwicklung haben, und der Neubau der Urner Kantonalbank ist hierfür ein guter Start.
Alles in allem finden auf kleinstem Raum im Kanton Uri gerade sehr viele Investitionen statt. Die positive Aufbruchstimmung und Dynamik gilt es jetzt, gewinnbringend zugunsten des Kantons Uri zu verwenden.
According to a message on Facebook, the Dietiker construction company Walo Bertschinger is introducing the digital ordering and delivery process with Q Site for all 13 business areas of asphalt road construction. From planning the paving process and coordinating the ordering of mix with the asphalt plant to controlling the paving process, Walo employees will use the Q Site software in the future.
The software application Q Site has been developed by Q Point in Langenthal BE. There are several fields of application. Q Asphalt says on Q Point’s special website that the system offers support both in the office and on the construction site with the construction site app over the entire cycle of a construction project. From planning to execution to the final documentation, it provides helpful key figures to build easier, faster and more successfully.
Project planning is given as an example. According to Q Point, the system automatically delivers a ready-to-use installation and logistics concept including a complete employee and equipment deployment plan as well as a calculation of the trucks required.
According to the Facebook message, Walo Bertschinger assumes that even more efficient work processes can be achieved with this “upgrade”.
The Zug-based building materials company Holcim is selling its 63.11 percent stake in the Indian company Ambuja Cement and ACC to the Indian Adani Group . According to a media release , the two contracting parties have agreed on this. For Holcim, the sale means cash proceeds of 6.4 billion Swiss francs. The company is investing a large part of this in the expansion of its Solutions & Products division.
The Indian building materials brand Ambuja Cement , in turn, owns a 50.05 percent stake and a direct stake of 4.48 percent in the Indian building materials company ACC . Together they have 31 cement plants and 78 ready-mixed concrete plants with 10,700 employees across India. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of this year, subject to local authority approvals.
“With the Adani Group we have found the perfect new owner to initiate the next growth phase of our Indian business for our employees and stakeholders in a fast and efficient transaction,” Jan Jenisch, CEO at Holcim, is quoted as saying in the press release. Holcim entered the Indian market in 2005.
With its CHF 5 billion investment in the Solutions & Products business area as a “new growth engine”, Holcim aims to become the world’s leading provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions. “The construction sector has never been as attractive as it is today. There are many ways to build better and more with less to improve living standards for everyone in a sustainable way.”
With interest rates rising again, the “rule of thumb, now almost set in stone”, according to which owning is financially cheaper than renting, “has started to falter”, writes Raiffeisen Switzerland in a statement on the current issue of its quarterly study “ Real Estate Switzerland ”. However, there are still financing solutions that make home ownership more financially attractive than renting, the statement continues. In addition, the demand for one’s own four walls is also being driven by “various non-financial” aspects.
However, the demand for residential property, which continues to rise, is “meeting on a supply that has now completely dried up,” explains Martin Neff in the press release. “Hardly any new properties are being built and existing owners only sell their houses and apartments in exceptional cases,” says the chief economist at Raiffeisen Switzerland.
The analysts at Raiffeisen Switzerland have also noticed a shortage of supply on the market for rental apartments. Due to high vacancy rates, the construction of new apartments has already been curtailed in the past, writes Raiffeisen Switzerland. In addition, demand has increased due to demographic aging and a “trend towards individualization”. In 2021, the number of newly founded households exceeded the number of newly built apartments for the first time since 2009.
“Housing production will not be able to keep up with demand in the future either,” predicts Neff. “So the housing oversupply that prevailed until recently could soon become a housing shortage.”
Beijing, Singapore, Paris, Horgen – with immediate effect, an Innovation Hub is also open to customers, partners and interested trade visitors in Switzerland. A visit is worthwhile for anyone who would like to get a first-hand impression of the future-oriented products and solutions from the tech group Schneider Electric and Feller AG. The exhibits and audiovisual media convey everything worth knowing about modern living and working environments, which are right on the pulse of the times. Visitors have the opportunity to discover innovations at their own pace and to be inspired by the pioneering technologies.
One company, two brands: the best of both worlds
The Innovation Hub maps the entire spectrum of the energy and automation specialist Schneider Electric and its subsidiary, Feller AG. The innovations and technological developments at all levels, in the full breadth and depth of the portfolio, are presented on 500 square meters. In addition to intelligent products and solutions for industrial automation, the energy networks of the future, building automation and the connected home as a networked, digitized home also play a large role. Other topics such as energy efficiency in residential construction and e-mobility round off the diverse world of experience.
Innovation and technology impulses: A place of experience and knowledge transfer
Theoretical knowledge of modern digital technology is only one side of the coin. Nothing beats experiencing the advantages of future living and working environments under real conditions. “With our new Innovation Hub, a comprehensive world of experience has emerged. Here not only networked automation solutions are presented in an attractive environment, but also the networking of knowledge is promoted,” explains Tanja Vainio, Country President Schneider Electric Switzerland. The interdisciplinary competence center offers the ideal environment to hold training sessions or expert forums in the future.
Violence breaks all rules. The administrative court of the canton of Schwyz recently ruled that the demolition of properties requires a permit. The municipality of Illgau approved the demolition, but appeals were still possible, which would have been raised by Homeland Security. The Planning and Building Act of the Canton of Schwyz stipulates that anyone who erects, changes or converts buildings and facilities without a building permit or in deviation from a building permit is punished with a fine of up to CHF 50,000 in accordance with the provisions of the Justice Act and the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure . In the case of greed, the penal authorities are not bound by the maximum amount of the fine. “We therefore thought long and hard about whether to file a criminal complaint or not,” says Isabelle Schwander, President of Schwyz Homeland Security. However, the Schwyz and Swiss Heimatschutz came to the conclusion that conducting criminal proceedings is the task of the law enforcement authorities and not of Heimatschutz. This is also because the suspicion at hand is to be investigated ex officio.
In several discussions, the Schwyzer and the Swiss Heimatschutz tried to make the builder understand the immeasurable value of this building. Possible structural solutions were also shown with specialists and it was offered to provide support with regard to financing. Unfortunately all without success. For the future, Heimatschutz will try, together with experts and owners of Schwyz wooden houses, to show that renovations are always possible and that this does not have to fail because of finances. Naturally, Homeland Security is also of the opinion that being placed under protection should not lead to financial damage. Finally, it must also become better known that listed and high-quality refurbished properties experience a massive increase in value and are also easy to rent. The Schwyzer and the Swiss Heimatschutz are convinced that it is possible for all those affected to find a good solution.
Mr. Wappner, wood is one of the oldest building materials in Central Europe. We all know stilt houses or medieval half-timbered houses. Nowadays, however, wooden buildings are rare. Since when has wood been forgotten, especially in the urban context of construction, and why?
It is correct: the building material wood was used much more frequently for the construction of buildings in the past. This is mainly due to the fact that wood has always been available in sufficient quantities in our Central European regions – also because the climatic conditions in Germany and many other European countries favor rapid regrowth. Due to the enormous effort in building in the past centuries, craftsmen over many generations have developed excellent knowledge and skills to deal with this material in an increasingly creative, skilful and efficient way. We still benefit from that today.
Especially in the urban context, however, wood fell into oblivion in the course of industrialization from the middle of the 19th century or received industrially manufactured competition as a building material. Machine-made building materials such as brick or concrete were increasingly preferred. Because they could be produced cheaper, faster and in large quantities. In addition, many of our cities used to be built entirely of wood and have burned down several times in their history. Wood was therefore anchored in people’s minds as a source of danger. Structural fire protection in connection with dense inner-city development has always been an issue in urban planning. In contrast, in the industrial age, more fire-resistant building materials provided better safety evidence and thus more trust among people. This is one of the reasons why industrial building materials have increasingly replaced wood, especially in European urban planning.
How do you explain the current boom in timber construction?
The timber construction boom was clearly triggered by the growing ecological awareness in society. Wood is so attractive as a building material because we work with a renewable, resource-saving and circular raw material. With wood we can store CO 2 in buildings and thus counteract the energy-intensive production of other building materials and their use with a sustainable and environmentally friendly statement. The CO 2 balance of wood is unbeatably good compared to other building materials. But wood is not infinitely available, so we have to use the resources wisely.
The current boom is also made possible by extensive research in recent years – especially in regions such as Vorarlberg, Graubünden or South Tyrol, but also in the Black Forest and the Allgäu. Today we have a great deal of knowledge about the material, which is paired with the centuries-old handed-down craftsmanship experience. There are now excellent opportunities to optimally test the load-bearing capacity and fire resistance of wood in long-term tests.
Digitization plays another major role. CNC technology and other technical revolutions were a real quantum leap here. Thanks to the technically based use of machines, wood can now be processed and pre-produced down to the millimeter. This then happens directly in a workshop, where the components can be prefabricated in the dry and some can already be assembled. This high degree of prefabrication of modular wooden elements saves a lot of time and money.
As a result of all these developments, wood as a building material has become very exciting again in recent years – and trust in the material has grown enormously. In addition, wood also has many other advantages that people appreciate: it smells good, looks familiar and feels pleasant.
The current study on the use of land in Swiss cities is astonishing, writes the Swiss Association of Cities in a statement on the ” Statistics of Swiss Cities 2022 ” drawn up jointly with the Federal Statistical Office . According to the analysts’ surveys, in 2018 settlement areas accounted for just 23.5 percent or 95,000 hectares of the total area of the 170 Swiss cities surveyed. Most of the urban soil, specifically 32.3 percent, was covered with forest at the end of the study period from 1985 to 2018. At 30.9 percent, the proportion of agricultural land in 2018 was also significantly larger than the settlement area.
In the six largest cities in Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Winterthur and Zurich), the proportion of settlement area in 2018, at 54.2 percent, was significantly higher than in the overall calculation, the statement explains further. Forest and agricultural land accounted for 29.6 and 14.3 percent, respectively.
The analysts observed growth in the reporting period, above all in residential areas. Between 1985 and 2018 it increased by almost 10,000 hectares to 35,000 hectares. The areas used for traffic and built up with recreational and green areas also grew in the reporting period. In contrast, the area used by industry in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants fell by 26 percent between 1985 and 2018.
A group of researchers from the Circular Engineering for Architecture Labs ( CEA ) at ETH have built a dome from construction waste. The aim of the project led by assistant professor Catherine De Wolf in the Department of Civil, Environment and Geomatics was to show the advantages of the circular economy and digitization for the construction industry, according to a press release .
In doing so, the scientists should go through the entire reuse cycle of building materials – from the dismantling work to the design of a new building and its construction. Before the demolition of a car warehouse in Geneva, they collected usable old components under the guidance of demolition specialists.
They stored and installed the parts on the Hönggerberg campus with the help of a self-programmed algorithm. This independently calculated the optimal geometry and dimensions of the wood supply in order to use it as efficiently as possible. “The aim was to design the computer program in such a way that it does not cut the largest bars into small pieces and leaves as few residues as possible,” doctoral student Matthew Gordon is quoted as saying in the press release.
The participants also saved information on each component, which was marked with a QR code, in a database. The idea of the prototype: Architects could find out “when which materials from demolition objects will be available and plan them in new buildings”.
Because in the project it turned out that the procurement of used components is one of the biggest challenges. “Ideally, the companies would be informed about demolition or dismantling as soon as possible, so that they can start looking for buyers for the materials right away,” De Wolf is quoted as saying in the press release. In fact, this often happens at short notice.
National and international exhibitors show their products, services, innovations and trends on the topic of flooring in a practical way. In this way, trade visitors can find information and inspiration personally on site and ultimately the right partners for future projects. An attractive supporting program with the BodenFORUM completes the trade fair. In the BodenFORUM, industry experts impart the latest specialist knowledge for architecture, interior design and craftsmanship. Keynote speakers will shed light on the latest focus topics in the industry and exhibitors will present their most exciting solutions to match.
Important industry meeting point “For known reasons, we had to wait a long time to be able to hold the trade fair. We can finally make this meeting place possible for the flooring industry again," stresses exhibition manager Ursula Gerber. She is particularly pleased about this, because there is a great need for an industry meeting place where people can exchange ideas personally. Ursula Gerber explains: "Due to the effects of the pandemic, personal contact has only been possible to a limited extent in the past two years. This showed how important this is for successful construction projects and business initiations.»
supplemented by digital channels The Suisse Floor has been further developed since the last event in order to position it in the digital age. "We're focusing even more on the exhibitors and their skills," says the trade fair manager. And not only on the Suisse Floor itself, but also before and after on the new digital channels. "Our exhibitors gain attention from the target audience, reach new customers and more visitors at their stand," she explains. Visitors can already find new and exciting products or solutions on the trade fair website, which will then be presented on the Suisse Floor.
With the new building in Gloriarank (GLC), ETH Zurich is creating a modern development and laboratory building at the interface between health sciences and technology in the university district of Zurich Zentrum. Together with partners, ETH Zurich would like to set a milestone in medical technology research and application. Research groups will meet in the new building and work more closely together on research projects with industry, the University of Zurich, the University Hospital Zurich and other university hospitals. ETH Zurich is also making an architectural statement with the new building. The attractive connection of the structure to the existing ETZ building creates a central courtyard, the heart of which is the listed Scherrer lecture hall. The inner courtyard created in this way becomes the center around which the main entrances and public facilities are grouped.
When it comes to architecture, “Everything is Roger” here. He speaks of "Maison de Verre", but in this case he does not mean the famous 1930s glass house in Paris – the Zurich architect Roger Boltshauser. Rather, with the GLC research building, he created a sensational building that, with its glass facade made of glass block elements assembled in a cassette-like manner and the ventilation wings staggered in depth, creates a sublime heaviness that does justice to its representative character. Since the use of glass blocks as a façade material in contemporary industrial and university buildings has a long tradition, the architect redesigned the material for this project in terms of design, technology and energy. It not only meets today's enormously high demands on energy and sustainability. Rather, through the combination of reduction and robustness of the elements used, the design corresponds to the basic urban planning attitude of the quarter.
Thinking together means thinking ahead. 3,866 m² of steel facade, 22,550 m² of floor space, 1,875 mm high casement windows with a projection of 2,800 mm, the strictest environmental and fire protection standards and much more: the new GLC building was a challenge in every respect, which was mastered thanks to the open and constructive exchange of ideas between the companies involved was mastered. A good example of this are the particularly heavy cleaning blades. Due to its complex geometry, Aepli Metallbau – in cooperation with Jansen AG – subjected it to an endurance test beforehand. A prototype was specially built for this purpose. Exactly 1250 problem-free openings and closings later, it was clear: everything works perfectly!
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