immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Construction

  • Renovation of the Pérolles Bridge near Fribourg underway

    Renovation of the Pérolles Bridge near Fribourg underway

    Walo Bertschinger AG is involved in the ongoing renovation of the Pérolles Bridge between Fribourg and Marly FR. The 550 metre long and up to 70 metre high road bridge over the Saane is being repaired following damage to the road surface. Walo Bertschinger’s team is currently taking on a range of the work involved, as the fourth-generation construction company from Dietikon explains in a post on Facebook.

    Specifically, Walo is replacing the carriageway joints and renewing around 10,000 square metres of asphalt. The Walo team is also repairing damaged concrete and providing the bridge with modern waterproofing. The Pérolles Bridge will remain open to cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians throughout the construction work.

  • New ways to combat stock shortages

    New ways to combat stock shortages

    With a vacancy rate of around one percent for apartments, free space in the Swiss real estate market is extremely scarce. Away from the housing market, however, other problems arise with storage space. Storage spaces of less than 100 square meters in particular are often vacant because the effort involved in viewings, fixed price negotiations and physical contracts is disproportionate to the return. Neither owners nor administrators find the time-consuming letting process worthwhile, as fees and monthly rents are low and resources would be better spent on high-margin properties.

    Digital innovation for the management of small storage spaces
    Since the beginning of 2025, the Swiss start-up storabble has been using fully automated processes to solve this problem. The company offers outsourcing solutions for renting out vacant storage space and takes care of all administrative tasks. This includes tenant search, identification, verification, contract processing, key management and debt collection. Even risks such as debt collection claims or damage are outsourced, reducing the burden on owners and administrators.

    Automated processes for greater efficiency
    The business model is based on specially developed software and a digital marketplace where around 12,000 people across Switzerland can find potential rental properties every month. Full automation reduces costs and effort and also makes it possible to rent out low-value space profitably. Owners of well-known portfolios are already processing vacancies with the company.

    Economic relevance and outlook
    The rental income missed due to vacant warehouse space corresponds to around 0.02 percent of the total portfolio value on the Swiss real estate market each year. In view of a market value of CHF 6 trillion, this results in economically relevant potential for digitally efficient solutions. The outsourcing model opens up new economic benefits for very small spaces and is an example of digitalization and increased efficiency in the real estate sector. At the same time, the smart management creates relief in the sector and can serve as a blueprint for other special properties.

  • Tried and tested building materials reinterpreted

    Tried and tested building materials reinterpreted

    Sustainable building materials such as clay, wood and straw have a positive climate footprint. As they grow, they absorb CO₂ and store it in the long term. Around fifty million tons of excavated material containing clay are produced in Switzerland every year, a potential that is only used to a limited extent as most of it is landfilled. If this soil could be used as a building material, the material cycle could be closed directly. Saving resources, less transportation and lower disposal costs are the result. Wood is equally sustainable. Swiss forests provide a fast-growing, robust building material that now accounts for up to seventeen percent of load-bearing structures in new buildings, particularly in urban housing construction and additions.

    Prefabrication and hybrid construction
    The modern rediscovery of traditional materials is based on high-tech production methods. Prefabricated modules, the targeted use of robots and the addition of natural additives allow faster and more efficient processes. Nowadays, clay can be poured into formwork as liquid clay like concrete or used as rammed earth with reinforcements for multi-storey buildings. Combining clay and wood in hybrid wall or façade elements creates sustainable and climate-friendly structures. Researchers are working on optimizing materials to make clay and straw even more efficient. For example, through natural additives such as trass lime or innovative reinforcements.

    Challenges and development prospects
    The market penetration of clay and straw throughout Switzerland is still low, mainly due to a lack of industrial development, insufficient standardization and high start-up costs. Wood, on the other hand, is already widely accepted, although the forestry industry is struggling with climate change. Softwoods are coming under pressure, hardwoods are gaining in importance, but need new processing technologies. At the same time, environmental standards must be ensured and biodiversity preserved in the forests so that CO₂ storage is maintained. Research projects are investigating how wood can be made more resistant to environmental influences using biological substances such as shellac or plant-based tanning agents.

    Circular economy, health and acceptance
    Innovative building materials offer not only ecological but also health benefits. Natural materials improve the indoor climate, reduce allergy risks and avoid pollutants. Production is often low-energy and the components can be recycled at the end of their life. Web platforms such as the “Atlas of Regenerative Materials” network companies and projects in order to increase acceptance of and confidence in bio-based buildings.

    Innovation as a driver
    The combination of traditional expertise, modern research and digital prefabrication creates new opportunities for sustainable construction. Only by combining natural materials, recyclable structures and ecological responsibility can the construction industry make a positive contribution to climate protection. The opportunities for this have never been better and the building material of the future lies in the soil, in the forest and in the fields of Switzerland.

  • How the SIA is setting new standards in procurement

    How the SIA is setting new standards in procurement

    Project alliances are gaining in importance and are not only being piloted by major clients such as SBB and FEDRO, but are also on the agenda throughout the industry. The new Federal Act on Public Procurement (BöB) provides more scope for quality assessment in tenders. The purely price-driven competition is slowly fading into the background. Nevertheless, the administrative burden remains high and dumping offers are still an issue that is not yet optimally controlled.

    Market observation and contract award monitoring
    Another milestone is the expansion of market observation and contract award monitoring through cooperation with Bauenschweiz. The SIA observatories for competitions and tenders collect both quantitative and qualitative data. At municipal level in particular, the specially developed online tool “Planning procurement” facilitates the implementation of the new requirements and provides planning security.

    Potential for the entire sector
    Pilot projects and the pro-allianz.ch association highlight the industry’s desire for partnership-based and project-centred forms of organization. The SIA actively promotes the exchange of knowledge and supports new alliances with the aim of placing collaborative work and project success above traditional competitive models.

    Competition regulations updated
    The SIA 142 and SIA 143 regulations for competitions and study commissions have been extensively revised and introduced in August. Aspects such as copyright, remuneration procedures, fairness and transparency are now given greater weight. The revision was developed together with public clients and increases acceptance on both sides.

    Focus on sustainability criteria and remuneration
    In addition to ecological aspects, items such as economic, macroeconomic, social and cultural sustainability are given greater weight in the procurement processes. The content, definition and implementation of sustainability is being continuously developed in working groups and with event formats such as “post-fossil competitions”. Another priority topic is the appropriate remuneration of planning services. Digital platforms and new fee regulations are intended to strengthen fairness and transparency so that planning offices are remunerated in line with the market and in a transparent manner in future.

  • Federal Council simplifies construction procedures

    Federal Council simplifies construction procedures

    To date, many construction projects and urban developments have been delayed due to the rigid direct application of the Federal Inventory of Sites worthy of Protection (ISOS). In Zurich in particular, thousands of apartments are blocked, as the example of Brunaupark shows. The Federal Council wants to simplify and speed up the processing and approval of residential projects with a new regulation. In future, the ISOS requirements will only apply directly in cases where the townscape is actually affected. This will significantly reduce the number of complex procedures and numerous projects can be realized more quickly.

    In future, cantons and municipalities will be given more leeway and clear boundaries as to when direct application of ISOS is really necessary. The conservation objectives of the inventory will be formulated more openly, which will enable inward settlement development while still protecting building culture.

    Solar installations are easier to approve
    The new measures also make it easier to install solar installations on new buildings. In future, an ISOS review will only be required for existing buildings. The federal government is thus taking account of the requirements of the energy transition and strengthening planning and legal certainty for future-oriented construction projects.

    Consensus at the round table
    The reform was developed at a broad-based round table with representatives from the federal government, cantons, cities, municipalities, business and civil society. The regulatory adjustments are to be made by fall 2026. At the same time, the processes for applying the ISOS inventory will be improved so that conflicts can be identified and resolved at an early stage.

    Prominent critics and supporters from politics and heritage protection welcome the new regulations. It is a sensible compromise between protection and development. Direct application remains possible for important monuments, but will no longer prevent important innovation projects in future.

    New momentum for residential construction
    The new rules give cantons and municipalities the necessary flexibility to combine resource protection and building culture. Residential construction projects such as Brunaupark could be approved and realized much more quickly in future. The Federal Office of Culture, Department of the Environment and Department of Economic Affairs have been tasked with implementing the new principles in order to address the increased demand for housing and the challenges of the energy transition in a holistic manner.

  • Adding storeys and extensions made easy

    Adding storeys and extensions made easy

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • PFAS in construction waste

    PFAS in construction waste

    Around 7.4 million tons of mineral construction waste are produced in Switzerland every year, with demolition, refurbishment and new construction continuing to increase the quantities. It is not only asbestos and PCBs that are problematic, but also PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances). These chemicals are considered carcinogenic and accumulate in the human body.

    A study by the University of Bern found up to seven PFAS substances in 20 samples of demolition material, some in concentrations of up to 5 micrograms per kilogram. Although the quantities are considered low, the research team recommends further investigations. Landfills are usually not sealed, PFAS can be washed out and thus enter the groundwater, where they pollute the food chain and drinking water.

    Measurements and new standards
    The Swiss Building Materials Association Circular Switzerland and the Federal Office for the Environment are working together with cantons and independent laboratories to determine PFAS contamination in gravel works, concrete plants and existing buildings. The investigation is nearing completion. The findings are to be incorporated into a practical guide for dealing with PFAS. The federal government is planning limit values for PFAS in contaminated sites and waste by 2026, which construction companies will have to comply with in future.

    In civil engineering, the Federal Roads Office has recommended avoiding PFAS-containing substances for the time being. Due to the lack of legislation, Astra is not yet able to enforce any bans, but is working on checklists for PFAS-free construction products.

    Health risk and circular economy
    The Federal Office of Public Health is monitoring the PFAS problem in indoor spaces and warns of its persistence. PFAS bind to materials for a long time and become problematic when abraded and inhaled, but have so far been less relevant in the living environment, as the main source remains food. According to the authorities, the risk of exposure from building rubble and landfill sites is greater. This is because rainwater washes PFAS into the groundwater and thus into the food chain. Although leachate is technically purified, the risk of uncontrolled contamination remains.

    The Building Materials Association emphasizes that the recyclability of demolition material is endangered by the new limit values. At the same time, the industry wants to keep the chemicals out of the cycle. Professional removal and disposal are possible, but it is calling for clear and practicable guidelines from the federal government.

    PFAS in Swiss soil
    A recent Swiss study shows that PFAS can now be detected in all topsoils, even in remote forest and mountain areas. Point sources such as fire extinguishing training grounds and electroplating plants increase local pollution. Agricultural soils in particular contain high PFAS levels, often caused by sewage sludge used as fertilizer. The large number of applications makes it difficult to trace the origin.

    Political debate on PFAS
    Following the detection of PFAS in meat from the canton of St. Gallen and the first bans, parliament has also taken up the issue. The authorities and the industry are working together on a mix of measures to protect the population and the environment. Environment Minister Albert Rösti confirms the seriousness of the situation. The government wants to respond with limit values, guidelines and tighter controls.

  • Wood takes centre stage: 1500 guests at event in Worb

    Wood takes centre stage: 1500 guests at event in Worb

    OLWO, which claims to be the central production and trading service provider in the Swiss timber industry, welcomed around 1,500 guests to its sawmill in Worb on 12 and 13 September 2025. The company transformed the area with marquee and wrestling ground into a meeting place for families, experts and people interested in wood, according to a press release. Young wrestlers among those interested in wood were also delighted to receive a surprise visit from former wrestling king Christian Stucki.

    The Days of Swiss Wood 2025, during which the event took place, were organised by the umbrella organisation Lignum Holzwirtschaft Schweiz and its affiliated companies from the forestry and wood industry. The aim of the events was to promote Swiss wood and a sustainable construction industry that focusses on regional resources and sustainable value creation.

    OLWO, a fourth-generation family business, has a proprietary sawmill and planing mill and a comprehensive range of wood-based materials for craftsmen, architects and builders. At the company headquarters in Worb, customers are offered solution-orientated sales advice from around 30 wood specialists in addition to regional woods and materials.

  • Mobile research factory optimises concrete construction for Hyperloop test facility

    Mobile research factory optimises concrete construction for Hyperloop test facility

    The EuroTube Foundation celebrated the opening of its innovative research facility for sustainable infrastructure on the grounds of the Innovation Park Zurich(IPZ) on 16 September, the foundation announced in a press release. The Smart Mobile Factory produces concrete components for the DemoTube hyperloop test facility being built at the IPZ. The innovative factory was developed by the EuroTube Foundation in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.

    The new factory deserves to be called intelligent, as its construction control is linked to a digital twin via sensor data, writes EuroTube. In this way, material flows, processes and CO2 emissions can be continuously optimised during construction. The factory, which is set up in a few standard containers, can also be moved and flexibly set up along infrastructure projects.

    At the IPZ, the Smart Mobile Factory will not only produce components for DemoTube, but will also be available to other researchers and start-ups who want to develop and test their own technologies directly on an active construction site. To this end, the EuroTube Foundation has launched the Real Laboratory for Infrastructure Construction educational programme. “As a research partner of the Innovation Park Zurich, we are proud to support projects, start-ups and companies in the development of new products for the transition to sustainable mobility infrastructures,” said Antoine Juge, Managing Director of the EuroTube Foundation, in the press release.

  • Lighter and stronger: new generation of network arch bridges

    Lighter and stronger: new generation of network arch bridges

    A new border bridge has been spanning the Oder near Küstrin since last year. It is held in place by a network arch with a span of 130 metres and 88 carbon girders. According to a recently published Empa press release, these carbon tensioning cables were developed by Carbo-Link, an Empa spin-off from Fehraltorf. The carbon carriers are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).

    This innovative material not only enables flexible processing, but also saves a large amount of carbon dioxide that would be released by conventional steel constructions. The use of carbon fibre beams significantly reduces the dead weight compared to conventional flat steel hangers. Around 500 tonnes of steel and 1350 tonnes of reinforced concrete were saved in the construction.

    A major advantage of the new suspension cables is their high tensile strength and lower fatigue than steel. Most of the fatigue tests were carried out by a team from Empa’s Structural Engineering department and confirmed the necessary fatigue strength of the new CFRP material. “We have thus created the basis for a new generation of filigree network arch bridges with carbon hangers as load-bearing elements,” Giovanni Terrasi, Head of Empa’s Mechanical Systems Engineering department, is quoted as saying in the press release.

    Visually, the new materials offer design freedom, as the Oder bridge shows. Carbon girders have already been used in other bridge constructions, but the special feature of the Oder bridge is that it is being used for the first time for heavy goods railway transport. Trains can pass over it at a speed of 120 kilometres per hour. The bridge has been honoured with both the German Bridge Construction Award and the British Bridges International Award.

  • Investment in modern workplaces and training

    Investment in modern workplaces and training

    The Ferrum Group has inaugurated its new ferruBase extension at its Schafisheim site, according to a press release. With the new building, the mechanical engineering company has realised a vertical production structure that creates space for 240 new office workstations, fully equipped production rooms and a future-oriented training workshop on around 14,000 square metres of floor space. More than 1,000 guests attended the opening and were able to gain an insight into the new building during expert tours.

    According to the press release, the new building seamlessly combines modern production processes with ergonomic office design and a training workshop. During the guided tours, employees, family members and guests were able to gain an initial insight into the architecture, construction method and new machinery. Catering was also provided at the opening ceremony and a varied entertainment programme was offered.

    For Ferrum, the new building is an investment in the future viability of the company and is intended to secure jobs in Aargau in the long term. At the same time, it also demonstrates how tradition and modern technology can be successfully combined.

  • Six Innovation Awards for construction and tool solutions

    Six Innovation Awards for construction and tool solutions

    Hilti has received six awards for recently launched products at the Pro Tool Innovation Awards(PTIA) 2025 in the USA, according to a press release. The internationally active manufacturer and supplier in the construction and tool sector is headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, and is active in over 120 countries. Hilti took part in the annual PTIA competition through its North American headquarters in Plano, Texas. In total, more than 400 product solutions from over one hundred manufacturers were submitted, according to the report. A jury of experts assessed the degree of innovation, performance and safety and ergonomic aspects, among other things. “We are delighted with the high level of innovation this year,” said Clint DeBoer, General Manager of the PTIA, in the press release.

    Hilti was honoured for products in various categories. The new DD 150-U-22 diamond core drill came out on top in the concrete and masonry core drill category. It works cordlessly and is equipped with an oscillating function that makes it easy to remove a core from the drill bit. The VC 5 construction hoover, the PR 400-22 rotating laser, the DSH 700-X petrol grinder, the new KCCM Kwik Cast Connect anchor system and a filter system for vacuum cleaners (VC-CB 20/40/150-X) also came out on top in other categories.

    At the Swiss innovation conference Open-i in November, the CEO of the Hilti Group, Jahangir Doongaji, talks about how research and development (R&D) is prioritised and embedded in his company. “At Hilti, we drive innovation in a targeted manner so that our customers can build more productively, safely and sustainably,” said Doongaji in the run-up to the conference. In Hilti’s R&D and test centres, experts are working on solutions for selected areas such as occupational safety, productivity and technology integration.

    Open-i sees itself as a Swiss innovation community and dialogue platform for business and science. It brings together academic and business experts and aims to pave the way for collaborations that will secure Switzerland’s leading role as an innovative and successful market. Open-i is organised by NZZConnect, a branch of the NZZ based in Bern. The conference will take place on 27 November and tickets are available now.

  • New concrete reduces CO2 emissions in the construction industry

    New concrete reduces CO2 emissions in the construction industry

    Omya is a new partner in NEST, the modular research and innovation building of Empa and Eawag in Dübendorf. In the Beyond.Zero unit, which has been based there since the beginning of 2024, they want to test a cement-reduced concrete that they developed in a joint research project, according to a statement from Empa.

    Omya contributed its expertise as a globally active specialist in industrial materials. “The fact that we can now jointly develop sustainable building materials and test them directly in NEST under real conditions accelerates the transfer of innovations into climate-friendly construction methods,” said Empa Director Tanja Zimmermann.

    This innovative building material replaces up to 70 per cent of its clinker content with natural minerals. As Empa explains, this significantly reduces its CO2 footprint. “For a new type of concrete to be widely accepted, it needs to be tested in practice,” Empa researcher Mateusz Wyrzyklowski from Empa’s Concrete and Asphalt department is quoted as saying. “By using it in the NEST Beyond.Zero unit, we can comprehensively validate our cement-reduced concrete: from processing to durability.”

    The aim is a building material “that not only fulfils the ecological requirements, but also impresses in terms of workability, mechanical properties, volume stability and durability,” says Empa. The Beyond.Zero unit goes beyond the net zero target in construction. It pursues the vision that buildings can serve as carbon sinks in the future – in other words, they will have a negative CO2 balance on balance. The construction sector currently accounts for around 28 per cent of CO2 emissions in Switzerland.

  • Pioneering civil engineering

    Pioneering civil engineering

    With a total length of 266 metres, the bridge replaces an outdated structure from 1926 that no longer met the requirements of modern rail traffic. The central component is a gleaming white network arch with a span of 130 metres, which spans the border river Oder without supports. Instead of classic flat steel cables, 88 carbon tension members made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic are used. These hangers were largely developed, tested and assessed at the Empa Institute in Dübendorf. They replace the steel segments weighing several tonnes and thus significantly reduce the overall weight of the supporting structure. An advantage for material efficiency and design freedom.

    Economic and sustainable benefits
    The innovative bridge technology made it possible to save around 600 tonnes of steel and 1,350 tonnes of reinforced concrete. A project-specific scaffolding solution was used in the construction process to ensure efficient assembly and welding of the bridge segments. Thanks to the high fatigue, tensile and corrosion resistance of the carbon fibre cables, both the maintenance effort and the service life of the bridge are positively influenced. A sustainability study shows that the use of carbon causes around 20 per cent less CO₂ emissions than a conventional steel structure.

    International appeal and future potential
    The railway bridge can be used by freight and passenger trains at speeds of up to 120 km/h and fulfils the highest safety standards. Extensive tests by Empa confirmed the fatigue strength of the material under real loads. The bridge has received several awards, including the Bridges International Award and the German Bridge Construction Prize. It is regarded as a pioneer for the use of high-performance composite materials in infrastructure construction.

    New aesthetics and symbolic significance
    The striking, elegant arch creates an architectural accent in the border region and emphasises the connection between the countries. The network arch bridge with carbon hangers symbolises both technical innovation and ecological responsibility. In future, it could serve as a standard for comparable major projects in European rail transport.

  • Swiss housing market continues to tighten

    Swiss housing market continues to tighten

    Die aktuelle Situation erinnert an die Jahre 2014 bis 2016, als eine längere Phase massiver Angebotsknappheit herrschte. Heute ist klar, dass kein kurzfristiger Ausgleich zu erwarten ist. Der Wohnungsbau bleibt auch in den kommenden Jahren hinter dem Wachstum der Haushalte zurück. Damit gehört die Schweiz erneut zu den europäischen Ländern, in denen sich die Wohnraumfrage zu einem zentralen Standortthema entwickelt.

    Belastung für Haushalte mit tiefer Kaufkraft
    Besonders stark trifft es Haushalte im unteren Einkommenssegment und des unteren Mittelstands. Während bestehende Mietverträge für rund 80 Prozent dieser Haushalte noch erschwinglich sind, zeigt sich auf dem aktuellen Markt ein deutlich anderes Bild. Nur gut 40 Prozent der neu angebotenen Wohnungen liegen in einem preislichen Rahmen, den diese Gruppen tragen können. In Regionen wie St. Moritz sowie in den urbanen Zentren und Agglomerationen fehlen passende Angebote nahezu vollständig.

    Wohnkosten steigen spürbar
    Ein Szenario aus dem Monitor verdeutlicht die Problematik. Würden alle Haushalte mit tiefer bis mittlerer Kaufkraft umziehen, stiege die durchschnittliche Wohnkostenbelastung von 29,1 auf 35,7 Prozent des Einkommens. Damit würde Wohnen für breite Teile der Bevölkerung klar zu einer finanziellen Überlastung. Bereits jetzt ist der Anteil der Mieterhaushalte, die ihre Wohnkosten nicht mehr im Budget halten können, von 2,6 auf 2,8 Prozent gestiegen. Noch moderat, aber mit klarer Tendenz nach oben.

    Fehlanreize auf der Angebotsseite
    Der Druck auf den Markt wird zusätzlich durch Investitionsmuster verschärft. Viele Investoren setzen auf Ersatzneubauten oder umfassende Sanierungen. Das stützt zwar die Bauwirtschaft, trägt aber kaum zur dringend nötigen Erweiterung des Bestands bei. Neue, bezahlbare Wohnungen kommen damit kaum auf den Markt. Entsprechend öffnet sich die Schere weiter zwischen günstigen Bestandes-Mieten und hohen Angebotsmieten, was die Verknappung zementiert.

    Bedeutung für Politik und Wirtschaft
    Die neue Analyse des BWO rückt die Frage der Wohnkosten im Verhältnis zum Einkommen in den Vordergrund. Für die kommenden Jahre bleibt absehbar, ohne strukturelle Ausweitung des Wohnungsangebots wird die Kluft zwischen Nachfrage und Angebot weiter wachsen. Für Wirtschaft, Gesellschaft und Immobilienbranche gehören damit innovative Wohn- und Baukonzepte ebenso zu den Schlüsselthemen wie regulatorische Anreize, um bezahlbaren Wohnraum effektiv zu sichern.

  • The Swiss champions 2025 at SwissSkills

    The Swiss champions 2025 at SwissSkills

    From 17 to 21 September, the BERNEXPO site was transformed into the centre of Swiss building technology. 62 participants from all parts of the country took on challenging competition tasks under realistic conditions. The young professionals competed against each other in the disciplines of heating installer, sanitary installer, plumber, ventilation system installer and in the three specialisations of building technology planning.

    The new Swiss champions are

    • Timo Bruggmann, heating fitter (Rorschach SG)
    • Oliver Ihringer, plumber (Winterthur ZH)
    • Tino Zimmermann, tinsmith (Oberbalm BE)
    • Armin Gaiser, ventilation system fitter (Erstfeld UR)
    • Camille Svitek, Building Services Planner Plumbing (Limpach BE)
    • Kilian Gendroz, Building Services Planner, Heating (Cuarny VD)
    • Mirco Burri, Building Services Planner Ventilation (St. Gallen SG)

    Innovation and practical orientation take centre stage
    The 35th Swiss Building Services Engineering Championships once again presented practical challenges. The young professionals had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of a large audience and under time pressure on an area of almost 1900 square metres. Technical ability, creativity and teamwork were equally in focus. Skills that are becoming increasingly important in an increasingly digitalised and sustainable construction industry.

    Building technology experience inspires the public
    In addition to the competition, SwissSkills 2025 offered a broad supporting programme in Hall 19. Interactive zones such as the “Try-a-Skill” area invited visitors to experience technology for themselves and discover professions with their own hands. The careers fair stand, special Foxtrails and experience stations encouraged dialogue between young people, trainers and industry representatives. The direct dialogue and the opportunity to master challenges together make building technology a modern field of innovation.

    Significance for promoting young talent and the industry
    The successful Swiss championships impressively illustrate how attractive and future-oriented building technology is for motivated apprentices. With their skills and professional pride, the award-winning young talents look beyond the horizon and build a bridge to a sustainable and vibrant industry. For companies, educational institutions and the public, SwissSkills is an important impetus for further establishing building technology as a key area of the Swiss construction and energy transition.

  • Between vision and reality

    Between vision and reality

    Neom and “The Line” in particular were designed to diversify the country’s economy and create a global icon of modern urban development. The city as a 170-kilometre-long, linear megastructure without cars, powered entirely by renewable energy and urban superlatives, promised innovation and worldwide attention. However, it was announced at the end of 2024 that “The Line” would only be realised in a 2.4-kilometre section instead of the originally planned dimensions. Progress to date has been limited to access, infrastructure, initial zones and individual demonstration facilities. Little of the planned construction volume is visible in the desert.

    Financial and structural challenges
    The Saudi oil price is currently no longer sufficient to cover budget requirements and realise megaprojects on the scale originally planned. In the first half of 2025, the Kingdom recorded a budget deficit of around 25 billion US dollars. At the same time, foreign direct investment is stagnating, which is focussing responsibility all the more on the public investment fund PIF, whose reserves and profits have shrunk significantly in recent years. Cost explosions and operational gaps in project management have also cast doubt on the overall project. Internal studies now estimate the total cost of “The Line” at up to USD 8.8 trillion, many times more than ever before assumed.

    Division and redistribution
    The construction freeze not only meant that thousands of jobs were relocated or cancelled, but also that key sub-projects were assigned to new structures. The “Trojena” area, planned as a winter resort and location for the 2029 Asian Winter Games, was placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport. The industrial project “Oxagon” is now assigned to the state oil company Aramco. The luxury island “Sindalah” has been under the control of the tourism conglomerate Red Sea Global since 2024. The remaining active sub-projects will reduce Neom’s total share in the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to just six per cent. The massive staff cuts and the consolidation of strategies emphasise the serious changes.

    Consequences for Saudi Arabia’s future strategy
    The redimensioning of the flagship project is jeopardising central pillars of Vision 2030. Neither the planned symbolic leap into a hypermodern society nor economic independence from oil are secured for the foreseeable future. Major events such as the 2029 Asian Winter Games or the 2034 FIFA World Cup are being jeopardised. With its change of course, the country’s leadership is also demonstrating a greater awareness of economic limits and realities. This is a turning point that permanently relativises the claim to global leadership roles in urban planning and innovative state development.

  • Investment strengthens business location with 60 new jobs

    Investment strengthens business location with 60 new jobs

    Emmen-based SME Technik AG has broken ground on the construction of a new company building. With the construction of the new production facilities, the CNC manufacturing specialist aims to strengthen its location in the canton of Lucerne, according to a press release. With an investment of 7 million Swiss francs, a three-storey work and production building is being constructed. It will also create 60 new jobs.

    The building, with 1,200 square metres of production space and 1,100 square metres of office space, is primarily intended to optimise the CNC production of small parts or series for the aviation and railway industries. In a first step, two new CNC machines will be installed. The move is scheduled for spring 2026.

    The building, planned and realised by Cerutti Partner Architekten AG from Rothenburg, is designed for sustainability and energy efficiency. A solar system on the roof and air-to-water heat pumps were installed to ensure resource-conserving operation.

    “With the new building, SME Technik is creating modern workplaces that are attractive for both existing and future employees,” said Jan Kottucz, investor, owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SME Technik AG, in the press release. “At the same time, we can manufacture CNC parts for our customers with the highest precision and to Swiss quality standards in the modern production halls with new systems.” Ramona Gut-Rogger, Mayor of Emmen, sees the new investment by SME Technik as a “strong signal for the future of our business location.”

  • From the field: Why pole position counts in the region

    From the field: Why pole position counts in the region

    “I was hesitant at first,” says Rita Jeggli, real estate agent from Central Switzerland and owner of Perfect Living AG. “But after I booked Regional Highlight, I very quickly realized what a difference it makes that our properties are now placed at the top in our region and that visibility is improved as a result. Especially if the property is in a location that is not necessarily searched for at first glance. The inquiries came in noticeably faster, which of course makes me particularly happy!”

    Photo: Rita Jeggli

    The principle is simple but effective: properties advertised with Regional Highlight appear at the top of the search results on ImmoScout24 and Homegate for the duration of the campaign. “In the past, I often had to put my customers off if an advertisement didn’t generate the desired response,” reports Jeggli. “Today, the situation is different.” The exclusivity is particularly attractive, she adds. There are only three places available per district. Anyone who secures one of these benefits from a premium positioning that can make all the difference, particularly due to the intense competitive pressure. “The fact that there are only three spaces per district makes the product particularly attractive for us,” says Jeggli. “It makesPerfect Living AG more visible”.

    The offer is flexible: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months are available to choose from. This allows real estate agents to decide whether they want to position a property prominently in the long term or achieve a particularly high level of attention in the short term. “We really appreciate this flexibility,” says Jeggli. “Sometimes a property only needs a brief boost, sometimes we want to keep a prestigious property in the spotlight for longer.”

    Regional Highlight is part of SMG Real Estate’s Listing Performance portfolio and complements the Top Listing and Premium Top Listing products. While the latter offers nationwide reach and flexibility, Regional Highlight aims to have a lasting impact on the local market. In a real estate market characterized by strong competition and the recurring challenge of winning hard-fought mandates, Regional Highlight offers a decisive advantage: the right people become aware of an offer at the right time. For real estate agents like Jeggli, this means one thing above all: satisfied customers, faster deals and sustainable growth for their own company.

    Interested? You can find more information on how to advertise your properties from pole position here.

    Hit list without regional highlight
    Hit list with regional highlight
  • Tradition meets innovation in façade renovation in Davos

    Tradition meets innovation in façade renovation in Davos

    The Hotel Schatzalp in Davos, which opened in 1900 as a luxury sanatorium, has been given a new façade with the support of architecture researchers from ETH Zurich. The building was constructed using digital aids. According to a statement from ETH, the contract for implementation was awarded to local timber construction company Künzli Davos AG and Instructive Construction AG(Incon.ai), which specialises in augmented reality technology. Incon.ai is a spin-off of the ETH and is based at Technopark Zurich.

    The designs for the reinterpretation were developed by a team led by Silke Langenberg, Professor of Construction Heritage and Monument Preservation at ETH Zurich, and architecture professors Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler at the ETH Department of Architecture. The task for the architectural researchers was to preserve the appearance and integrate digital technologies into traditional craftsmanship and operational processes. “Based on the design logic of the old building, we reinterpreted the balustrades,” Fabio Gramazio is quoted as saying.

    Matthias Kohler sees this as a “fundamental change in the way we build”. The digital model replaces the double metre in traditional construction methods. The digital model created using augmented reality simplifies planning for tradespeople and allows people to use their dexterity and intuition. As Kohler emphasises, people retain control over the process.

    The wooden balustrades on the building had become outdated and no longer met today’s safety standards, he explains. In addition, the typical appearance of the Schatzalp with the loggias attached to the south façade had been impaired by numerous changes.

  • Growth continues with office opening in Cologne

    Growth continues with office opening in Cologne

    VELLOWS is further expanding its network. Founded in 2023, the consulting firm for projects and organisational development in the construction and real estate industry has been operating a new location in Cologne since 1 September 2025, according to a press release. According to the statement, VELLOWS is continuing its growth trajectory with the opening of the new office. The company is based in Hergiswil and also operates from an address in Zurich, Basel and Berlin.

    “Cologne is a central location for us, both in terms of our customer structure and our service portfolio,” explains the new location manager Stephan Hintzen. The industrial engineer specialising in civil engineering has more than ten years of experience in project management, client representation and property consultancy.

    VELLOWS founder Prof Jürgen M. Volm speaks of an experienced and well-connected colleague: “As a partner and managing director, he will play a central role in further expanding our market presence in Germany.”

  • Success for Suissetec in the EKS case

    Success for Suissetec in the EKS case

    For years, Suissetec has been committed to a “level playing field” between traditional consulting, planning and installation companies and energy service providers, which are increasingly active in the building technology market. In this specific case, EKS used customer data from the basic supply, i.e. from the monopoly sector, to advertise solar systems, an offer in the free market. This unlawful competitive advantage violates the Electricity Supply Act.

    Following a criminal complaint filed by Suissetec in 2017, two former EKS employees were finally convicted on March 31, 2025. Comparable proceedings against Repower and Groupe e also ended in guilty verdicts.

    Consistent separation of market areas
    The ruling makes it clear that the monopoly area of basic energy supply must remain strictly separated from the commercial activities of energy service providers, for example in building technology or solar installations. Companies are obliged to take organizational and technical precautions to ensure that there is no mixing.

    Although only employees and not the company itself were prosecuted in this specific case, the court emphasized that companies can also be liable to prosecution if they breach their duty of care.

    Signal effect for the industry
    For Suissetec, the third ruling in this case is a milestone. Director Christoph Schaer emphasizes: “The EKS case is now closed for us. At the same time, we expect this ruling to form the basis for competitive but fair competition between all market participants.”

    In this way, the association not only wants to prevent abuses, but also raise awareness among energy service providers, as important members of Suissetec, of the importance of clean dividing lines. The aim is constructive cooperation in the market that enables fair competition with clear rules.

  • Review: Swissbau Community Event at uptownBasel

    Review: Swissbau Community Event at uptownBasel

    “Enkelfähig” is the order of the day. Hans-Jörg Fankhauser, host of the Swissbau Community Event at uptownBasel, emphasized: “It’s not about what we do today, but what we can achieve tomorrow.” The term “enkelfähig” stands for his responsible site development, in which digital technologies and sustainable strategies are used to enable long-term change and create an environment worth living in for future generations. When it comes to collaboration, he relies on “new work” with strong partners.

    Quantum technology & AI: a new chapter in innovation
    AI has already changed reality. Hans-Jörg Fankhauser (uptownBasel) emphasized the disruptive opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The technologies open up almost limitless possibilities for innovations in architecture, energy planning and building technology.

    Re-use of building materials: trust as a success factor
    Kevin Rahner (Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure AG) shed light on the challenges of reusing building materials. The central question: “On-site” or recycling? Without clear standardization, reuse will not prevail. Genuine innovation requires trust and structured processes.

    Intelligent energy supply for sustainable buildings
    Sascha Wyss (Primeo Netz AG) explained that a stable transmission grid only works if production and consumption are in balance. Modern buildings require intelligent networking, redundancy and flexibility in order to ensure a sustainable energy supply.

    Experience practice & networking
    After the presentations, participants were able to experience the uptownBasel building Pioneer and the uptownBasel substation live. A subsequent networking aperitif provided the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas with experts from the sector.

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    Further information
    swissbau.ch

  • NEST tests CO₂-reduced building materials

    NEST tests CO₂-reduced building materials

    The “Beyond.Zero” project brings together leading industry and research partners to test innovations in the construction industry under real-life conditions. The focus is on the development of new material technologies with significantly lower emissions and high innovation potential for the construction industry.

    A central element is the cement-reduced concrete developed by Empa and Omya. By replacing up to 70 percent of the clinker content with natural minerals, CO₂ emissions can be significantly reduced without compromising mechanical properties or durability.

    Practical test for new concrete technology
    The building material is being comprehensively validated in a real construction context for the first time in the NEST unit. From processing and volume stability to durability in operation. “Only by testing it in real buildings can we show that the new type of concrete is not only ecologically convincing, but can also withstand the demands of practical use,” explains Empa researcher Mateusz Wyrzykowski. This creates a basis for translating sustainable concretes into marketable solutions more quickly.

    Industry meets research
    As the world’s leading producer of industrial minerals, Omya is contributing its expertise and production capacities to the project. “The fact that we can test sustainable building materials directly in NEST under real conditions accelerates the transfer of innovations into climate-friendly construction methods,” emphasizes Empa Director Tanja Zimmermann.

    In addition to the cement-reduced concrete, further CO₂-reduced and CO₂-negative material solutions are to be developed and tested in the “Beyond.Zero” project. The aim is a construction system that significantly reduces the ecological footprint over the entire life cycle, from production to operation and dismantling.

    Signal for the construction industry
    With this project, Empa and its partners are creating a practical platform that will provide groundbreaking impetus for the transformation of the construction sector. In view of the high proportion of emissions from cement and concrete production worldwide, the project could become a milestone towards climate-neutral construction.

  • Fair, ecological procurement with Toolbox Sustainability

    Fair, ecological procurement with Toolbox Sustainability

    The development of the toolbox was triggered by the revision of the Federal Act on Public Procurement. The focus is no longer solely on costs, but increasingly on issues of sustainability, fair working conditions and resource and climate protection. As a result, the procurement procedure is shifting from a pure price competition to a quality competition. A paradigm shift with opportunities, but also challenges.

    The key question here is how sustainability criteria can be integrated into procurement processes in an objective, transparent and practicable manner

    Contents and functions of the toolbox
    The sustainability toolbox provides answers to precisely this question. It is web-based, trilingual and structured in such a way that it provides awarding authorities with concrete tools.

    • Catalogue of eleven award criteria covering topics such as materials management, climate targets and fair working conditions
    • Text modules, forms and evaluation tables for direct use in tenders
    • Legal and practical explanations for the safe application of the criteria
    • Practical examples that provide guidance in the tendering process

    More clarity and commitment
    The tool creates a common understanding between contracting authorities and subcontractors by formulating criteria in a measurable and verifiable way. This also makes participation in tenders more attractive for SMEs, as the framework conditions are clearer and fairer.

    The overarching goal is to further develop tendering practice in Switzerland in such a way that quality, sustainability and innovation are honoured. Instead of simply competing for the lowest price, as is the case today.

    Significance for the sector
    The sustainability toolbox makes it possible to standardise how sustainable criteria can be incorporated into construction projects. This not only strengthens the awarding authorities, but also creates trust among clients and companies. The project shows that sustainability is not an add-on, but an integral part of a sustainable construction industry.

  • Statics gap in timber construction is closed

    Statics gap in timber construction is closed

    Researchers from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology(Empa), the Bern University of Applied Sciences and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH) have carried out a comprehensive series of tests in collaboration with the Federal Office for the Environment(FOEN). According to a press release, the aim of these investigations was to close a structural analysis gap in timber construction. Multiple tests and mathematical models were used to gain insights into the horizontal load of timber frame constructions.

    “We are investigating the horizontal bracing of buildings with timber frame walls that contain window openings,” said Nadja Manser, project manager at Empa, in the press release. “Neither in Switzerland nor in other European countries is there currently a regulation on how much horizontal load a timber frame wall can bear if it contains a window opening.”

    In order to obtain this data, the researchers carried out numerous experiments in Empa’s construction hall with two-storey and single-storey walls, each containing two window openings. The horizontal beams were subjected to a load of over 100 kilonewtons.

    The next step is to use the large amount of data obtained to create a computer model that is easy for structural engineers to calculate and that can be used to realise structural calculations for timber frame buildings. Throughout the project, the researchers are working with industry partners such as Swiss Timber Engineers, Holzbau Schweiz and Ancotech AG. One of the aims is to eliminate the need for expensive and labour-intensive steel anchors and the concrete cores that were previously required.

  • Furniture made from shuttering boards as an educational project

    Furniture made from shuttering boards as an educational project

    Industrial designer Björn Ischi has fully equipped the remodelled Building 1 at the Sursee campus with recycled furniture. Together with Designform GmbH, Ischi has equipped the seminar and training centre, which is specifically dedicated to the training of construction site cadres, with sustainable seating landscapes and study tables. The furniture was made from shuttering boards and other old materials to meet the needs of the students.

    Ischi points out in a press release that the circular furniture is economically competitive with products at standard market prices. Sustainability is therefore not a compromise, but a win-win situation.

    The project at the Sursee campus was initiated back in 2022. Ischi began cataloguing existing material on campus in 2024. On this basis, the industrial designer created the circular furniture. The project was technically coordinated by furniture manufacturer Girsberger from Thunstetten BE.

    Ischi emphasises the good cooperation with the management of the seminar and education centre. “Where others throw away the old, Campus Sursee has shown the courage to rethink,” says Ischi. Short distances and clever ideas have beaten long journeys and the production of new furniture. “The future is created when we value the old and reinterpret it.”

  • Biochar concrete opens up prospects for a climate-neutral construction industry

    Biochar concrete opens up prospects for a climate-neutral construction industry

    Four construction companies from Switzerland have joined forces to found KLARK AG, based in Landquart GR, on 25 August 2025: Ulrich Imboden AG from Visp VS, Logbau AG from Maienfeld GR, Novakies AG from Rapperswil BE and Toggenburger AG from Winterthur. Their common goal is to make KLARK concrete, which is CO2-neutral thanks to the addition of biochar, available throughout the country.

    In a press release, they describe the founding of KLARK AG as a milestone for the Swiss construction industry: “It shows that ecological responsibility, economic thinking and cooperative structures can go hand in hand – even and especially in an industry that has long been considered sluggish.” KLARK stands for a move towards a building materials market “that not only measures climate effects, but actively changes them”. This is “industry innovation instead of individual battles”.

    The KLARK climate clay is mixed with as much biochar from untreated waste wood from regional forestry until a CO2-neutral product is created. According to the information provided, it has the same properties as traditional concrete, which causes CO2 emissions of up to 250 kilograms per cubic metre.

    The CO2 reduction performance has been verified with a verified life cycle assessment in accordance with the accounting rules of the Coordination Conference of Building and Property Bodies of Public Building Owners(KBOB). The life cycle assessment results are published on the KBOB list. KLARK concrete can be produced with 50, 75 or 100 per cent sink rate and is fully recyclable.

    Eberhard Bau AG from Kloten ZH, Aarebeton Aarau AG and Arnold & Co. AG Sand- und Kieswerke from Flüelen UR are already on board as licence holders for the production of KLARK concrete. “This creates a central competence centre for CO2-saving construction with concrete, supported by regional pioneers with a national reach,” the press release states.

  • Building project combines art, architecture and cultural development

    Building project combines art, architecture and cultural development

    Nüssli Schweiz AG from Hüttwilen has broken ground on the expansion of the Mack Pyramid in Monheim am Rhein, according to a press release. The Thurgau-based event construction company was awarded the general contract in spring 2025. Following the construction of an eight-court sports hall, this is the second contract from Monheim for Nüssli.

    The construction is an architectural and artistic challenge. A second mirrored pyramid will be placed on top of the existing Mack pyramid. Additional exhibition and storage rooms are to be created in the new double structure. The existing space will also be renovated and modernised.

    The deep foundations are due to be completed by the end of October 2025 and the shell of the stairwells by the end of the year. The supporting structure consists of a steel construction with stairwells made of reinforced concrete. Where possible, prefabricated components from the Nüssli armoury will be used.

    The topping-out ceremony is scheduled to take place in March 2026, just in time for the 95th birthday of German artist Heinz Mack. Full completion of the building is planned for summer 2027.

    “We are proud to be realising the vision of the city of Monheim am Rhein together with our partners,” said Udo Baader, Head of Project Management Special Projects at Nüssli, in the press release. “The extension of the Mack Pyramid is not only an architectural highlight, but also a cultural impulse for the entire region.”

  • Windows as power stations

    Windows as power stations

    One solution relies on special films that direct visible light specifically to the edge of the glass pane. There, PV strips, often made of high-performance material such as GaAs, absorb the light and convert it into electricity. Solar cells are only needed at the edge, which saves material and resources. The view is retained and the window remains transparent.

    Using cholesteric liquid crystals, a research team at Nanjing University has developed a prototype that achieves an optical efficiency of over 18% and delivers stable values under real conditions. For a typical window with a height of two meters, there is a strong concentration of light at the edge zone. The coating can be produced industrially and is suitable for large façades.

    Transparent tandem cells
    The EU project CitySolar presents another innovation. Two combined PV layers (halide perovskite at the top, organic at the bottom) extract energy from different light spectra while allowing visible light to pass through. This means that the room brightness and view remain unchanged, the window “looks like a window” but produces electricity.

    With an efficiency of 12.3% and 30% transparency, a new record has been set for transparent PV modules. The structure is suitable for office and residential buildings as well as high-rise buildings with large glass fronts.

    Future and potential
    Researchers and industry partners are working on even higher efficiencies and better production methods. Challenges exist in balancing transparency and efficiency and in integrating them into existing construction processes. However, projects such as those from ZEISS or the international CitySolar consortium clearly show how great the market potential is.

    Transparent solar cells and intelligent glass surfaces are paving the way for buildings that partially cover their own electricity requirements. Windows as power plants are within reach and will play a decisive role in shaping the energy transition in urban areas.