immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Planning / Development

  • New factory site combines energy and network expertise

    New factory site combines energy and network expertise

    CKW AG plans to relocate business divisions from the Reussbühl district of Lucerne to Reussinsel in Emmen, where it will also establish the company’s new headquarters, according to a press release. The Axpo subsidiary intends to use this move to consolidate its activities.

    At the heart of the project, known as EnergiePark Emmen, is the construction of a new building for the Networks and Building Technology divisions. CKW’s network base, which will be built there, will be responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of the electricity grid in the greater Lucerne area. The new building will provide modern workplaces for employees. After several years of planning, the Compact project by Penzel Valier AG from Zurich and Maurus Schifferli Landscape Architects from Bern was awarded the contract to build the new company headquarters.

    Reuss Island is the historical birthplace of CKW, where the first power plant supplied electricity to the region in 1894. “With the planned relocation of our headquarters to Emmen, we are building on these roots and committing ourselves to Emmen as a location in the long term,” said Martin Schwab, CEO of CKW, in the press release. The relocation of the business divisions and headquarters to Emmen will mean that 1,000 employees will work on Reuss Island in future, instead of the previous 600.

    In the coming years, a development plan based on the draft project will be drawn up by the municipality of Emmen. “Together with the municipalities of Emmen and Ebikon, we want to further develop the Reuss island in the interests of all parties involved,” Schwab continued. According to the current status, construction projects could be approved and implemented from 2030, according to the press release.

  • New logistics centre to be built in Hunzenschwil

    New logistics centre to be built in Hunzenschwil

    ERNE AG Bauunternehmung from Laufenburg is constructing a modern logistics centre for Lagerhäuser Aarau AG in Hunzenschwil, according to a press release. The new industrial building comprises a high-bay warehouse and office space. The 130-metre-long and 100-metre-wide building has a total volume of 364,043 cubic metres.

    The schedule for the shell construction is clearly defined: completion is scheduled for 9 December 2026. Halfway through the construction period, the building must already have reached its full height in the high-bay warehouse area. In order to meet these requirements, ERNE is relying on digital construction processes and a virtual overall model (Virtual Design and Construction), which maps all construction stages in detail. This enables construction processes to be planned precisely, trades to be optimally coordinated and interfaces and potential conflicts to be identified at an early stage.

    Around 50 employees and four Wolff WK 7534 cranes are in operation every day on the large construction site. For the concreting work, around 31,000 cubic metres of concrete are produced and processed on site with the aid of a mobile concrete plant, including water drainage. Once the foundation work has been completed, the walls and ceilings of the centre will follow. Once the floor slab has been completed, one of the 120 ceiling stages, each covering an area of 300 to 350 square metres, will be concreted every other day on average. The structural connection between the new building and the existing building will complete the shell construction work.

    Once completed, the extension will not only meet the growing demand for flexible storage and logistics solutions, but will also set new standards in automation, energy efficiency and sustainable construction, according to the announcement.

  • Building services engineering group expands in Engadin

    Building services engineering group expands in Engadin

    The Burkhalter Group has acquired Caotec SA, based in Brusio, which specialises in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and sanitation technology (HVAC). The acquisition of Caotec SA will enable the Burkhalter Group to provide HVAC services in the Upper and Lower Engadine and Valposchiavo regions in future.

    According to a statement, the acquisition is also part of the Burkhalter Group’s targeted acquisition strategy, which already saw it acquire Gattiker Elektro GmbH in Uster, Canton of Zurich, and Mathieu Ingenieure AG in Visp, Canton of Valais, in 2025.

    The newly acquired Caotec AG employs 17 people and most recently generated annual sales of around CHF 4.9 million. The company will continue to operate as an independent group company of Burkhalter Holding AG under the current management of Dario Cao. The name Caotec SA will be retained and all employees will be taken on.

    The Burkhalter Group is a full-service provider of cross-trade building technology, particularly in the areas of heating and cooling, ventilation and air conditioning, sanitation and electrical engineering. The group is headquartered in Zurich.

  • Architect takes over operational management of the company

    Architect takes over operational management of the company

    fsp Architekten AG has appointed Raman Misinovic as its new Chief Operating Officer. Together with CEO and owner Christoph Kaech and Selim Manjusak, Chief Digital Officer and Chief People Officer, he will be responsible for the strategic and operational development of the company, according to a press release. Misinovic previously spent several years as a project and team leader at fsp and later worked as an independent architect.

    “Raman has known us for many years,” the press release states. “His architectural experience, entrepreneurial vision and understanding of integrated processes shape his work. In recent years, he has further honed these perspectives and is now bringing them to bear in his new role at fsp.”

    Raman Misinovic completed his bachelor’s degree in architecture at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in 2012. He then continued his education at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and Stanford University, receiving his master’s degree in virtual design and construction and digital building from the FHNW in 2016.

    Misinovic worked as a project and team leader at fsp between 2013 and 2021. He later worked as an owner and independent architect at RAUMKO GmbH and IMMOMIS GmbH. He now wants to contribute his in-depth knowledge of architecture, organisation and processes to the management of fsp Architects. “Together with Christoph Kaech and Selim Manjusak, we are shaping the further development of fsp – networked, entrepreneurial and with a clear commitment to quality and cooperation,” he explains in a statement.

  • Decarbonisation will rely on heat pumps in the future

    Decarbonisation will rely on heat pumps in the future

    The National Sports Centre in Magglingen will not be heated with heat from deep underground in future. According to a statement, the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (BBL) is discontinuing the project. The subsoil proved to be too complex. Deep drilling would therefore incur higher costs than forecast.

    The FBL launched the geothermal project in 2018. Studies had identified potential for hot water at a depth of 1,500 to 2,000 metres in 2023. The intention was to exploit this potential as early as 2029.

    However, the BBL is sticking to its intention to decarbonise the sports centre’s heat supply. To this end, it plans to use geothermal energy closer to the surface and heat pumps. These are to replace natural gas and wood pellets as the main heat suppliers. However, this is not likely to be possible until 2031 at the earliest, according to the press release.

  • Spatial planning is taught in a practical manner in the classroom.

    Spatial planning is taught in a practical manner in the classroom.

    Planning officials from Baden Regio initiated a spatial planning project with students from the Wettingen Cantonal School in autumn 2025. According to a recent announcement, the planners designed three lesson blocks in the specialised subject of humanities and social sciences. Working methods and planning tools were presented, and opportunities for public participation were explained.

    In practical projects, students analysed their immediate school environment and then developed proposals for the design of the western part of the monastery peninsula. In further lessons, the young people worked with their teachers to explore different housing concepts, housing needs and their influence on urban development. The focus was on social components.

    “The practical perspective and in-depth expertise of the speakers from Baden Regio opened up valuable new perspectives for both the pupils and the teachers,” said Oliver Schneider, a teacher at the Kantonsschule Wettingen, in the press release. “The lively interplay between theoretical principles and their direct application to a concrete example made the topic of spatial planning tangible and easy to understand. This aroused curiosity, promoted networked thinking and encouraged the students to look beyond their usual boundaries.”

    Those involved from Baden Regio and the teaching staff noted that it was striking how important the coexistence of people was to the pupils.

  • The way is clear for Wil West

    The way is clear for Wil West

    At the second attempt, the voters of St. Gallen say yes to Wil West. The decision is close, but clear enough to create planning security. The vote shows that the region wants to grow. Bundled, plannable and coordinated across cantonal borders.

    With the sale of the land, St. Gallen is handing over a former estate of the Wil psychiatric clinic to the canton of Thurgau. In future, the economic area will be located entirely on Thurgau soil, but will remain within the immediate sphere of influence of the Will region. This creates a clearer starting position for investments, infrastructure and long-term settlement strategies.

    Concentration instead of urban sprawl
    Wil West stands for a model that keeps many regions busy, enabling economic growth without further urban sprawl. Instead of constantly scattering new commercial zones on the outskirts of towns, the location will in future concentrate companies, services and productive jobs in a location with good transport links.

    The plan is not just any old industrial area, but a modern work location. The aim is to create high-quality businesses that generate added value and skilled jobs without taking up an excessive amount of space. The development potential of the region will thus be utilized. For spatial planning, the project is therefore also an instrument for channeling growth instead of leaving it to chance.

    Infrastructure as a driver of development
    Wil West has a particularly strong impact through its infrastructure. With the project, the federal government, cantons and region are linking the expansion of the highway, public transport and pedestrian and bicycle connections. The planned freeway link to the A1 and better rail and bus connections will make the area attractive for companies and at the same time relieve pressure on the existing town centers.

    Sustainability as a location factor
    The first version of Wil West failed due to concerns such as loss of cultural land, traffic and ecological impact. In the revised version, sustainability plays a much more visible role. More compact construction methods, more careful land use and more green and open spaces are intended to reduce the ecological footprint.
    This is precisely what is becoming a location factor for companies looking to relocate. When choosing a location, more and more companies are looking at energy and land consumption, accessibility without a car and an attractive environment for employees.
    Wil West has the opportunity to set a new standard for work zones if quality assurance, phasing and criteria for settlements are consistently implemented.

    Seize opportunities, manage expectations
    With the yes vote for the proposal, expectations are now also rising. Politics and administration must pick up the pace without falling into a hectic pace. The region needs clear guidelines: which sectors should come? What density is desired? How can development be managed over decades without having to change strategy every time the economy changes?

  • Tour Invictus new face for Fribourg

    Tour Invictus new face for Fribourg

    The Tour Invictus marks a turning point in Fribourg’s urban development. It increases the density of living space upwards instead of continuing to grow outwards. The project is a response to scarce land, changing household structures and an ageing population.

    At the same time, the tower raises the question of identity. How much “high-rise” can a medium-sized Swiss city tolerate? The building will be visible from the city and from afar. It will thus become a symbol of a new phase of urban development that rebalances density, mobility and quality of life.

    New forms of housing instead of classic perimeter blocks
    The mix of uses is clearly geared towards housing, but is finely graduated internally. On the lower floors, there will be apartments suitable for the elderly with assisted living facilities. On the upper floors are privately financed condominiums with expansive views and a high quality of living.

    This vertical mix replaces the classic perimeter block with separate buildings for different target groups. It brings people with different lifestyles together in the same building. For operators, owners and urban planners, this opens up new options for services, neighborhood connections and community building.

    Creating quality of stay
    A tower of this height always provokes the same question. Will density become a burden or a quality? The decisive factor is the design of the transitions. The street level, first floor and surroundings must maintain the scale for pedestrians. Green outdoor spaces, a clear address and legible entrances determine whether the tower is perceived as a foreign body or as a natural part of the neighborhood.

    What counts inside is the sense of spaciousness. Daylight, room heights, private outdoor spaces and views are the counterbalance to the large number of units. Where open spaces are deliberately moved indoors, for example with communal rooms, roof terraces or usable arcades, identification is created instead of anonymity.

    Opportunities for the city
    For the city of Fribourg, the Tour Invictus is both an opportunity and a test case. It shows how investors, planners and authorities deal with densification targets. The handling of traffic, development, shading and the neighborhood will be closely monitored. If the project is successful, it will strengthen the acceptance of further vertical densification.

    At the same time, the area of tension remains visible. A high-rise triggers discussions about the skyline, character and social mix. Managers in administration and the real estate industry are called upon to actively moderate this debate. Clear narratives are needed as to why density does not mean sacrifice, but rather enables new forms of urbanity.

  • Urban change on the Wellis site

    Urban change on the Wellis site

    One of the region’s most exciting transformation areas is located between the railroad station and the old town. Halls, warehouses and work yards are being transformed into an urban quarter with its own character. The area thus plays a key role as the gateway to Willisau.

    The area is roughly the same size as the historic old town. The previously closed production site is being transformed into an open piece of town. Paths, squares and open spaces will connect the station, the old town and the district. The previous barrier will become an urban interface.

    Mixture instead of monofunction
    The development clearly focuses on a mixture of uses. Several hundred apartments of different sizes and typologies are planned, supplemented by areas for commerce, services and local amenities. Living, working, shopping and leisure are moving closer together.

    It creates frequency throughout the day, increases the utilization of the infrastructure and reduces dependency on a single type of use. At the same time, it opens up scope for new forms of work, small-scale service providers and local suppliers.

    Identity from the industrial past
    The Wellisareal remains recognizable as a place. Parts of the existing building fabric will be preserved and used for new purposes. The industrial character not only provides history, but also identity. It clearly distinguishes the district from green meadow developments on the outskirts of the town.

    New buildings complement the existing buildings without covering them up. A high point marks the area in the silhouette of Willisau. The decisive factor here is not the height alone, but the effect in the urban space. This creates an image that remains anchored in the perception of residents, visitors and investors.

    Open space as a location factor
    The project consistently combines density with open space. Generous green spaces, trees, squares and paths structure the quarter and ensure a quality of stay. Instead of the inner courtyard as a residual area, the open space is at the center of the concept.

    For future users, this is more than just a matter of comfort. Shaded recreational areas, well thought-out outdoor spaces and differentiated microclimates are becoming hard location factors. They influence rentability, image and long-term value development. A robust open space concept also supports the adaptability of the neighborhood over its life cycle.

    Rebalancing mobility
    The location directly next to the train station and close to the old town allows for a low-traffic approach. Priority is given to pedestrians and cyclists, with public transport services within walking distance. The project deliberately reduces the number of parking spaces and focuses on alternative forms of mobility.

    For local authorities and investors, this means less land consumption for cars, more space for value creation and quality of life. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to think of mobility as an integrated offer. From sharing solutions to logistics and neighborhood services.

  • Thun North is developing into a new district

    Thun North is developing into a new district

    The future new district of Thun North is one of the four most important cantonal development priorities and the most important in the Bernese Oberland, according to a statement from the city of Thun. A future-oriented urban quarter and a business location with supra-regional appeal is to be created here on a 60-hectare site. The area will be accessed via a new S-Bahn station.

    Half of the site belongs to Armasuisse Real Estateand half to RUAG Real Estate AG. In 2025, the city of Thun conducted a so-called workshop process with them and BLS for the core area around the planned railway station. Three interdisciplinary teams worked with experts and various stakeholders to develop proposals. From these, an advisory committee derived key parameters for further development.

    The basic framework of the new district is to be formed by open spaces. This will be characterised by the Aare river, the roads, the railway area and the townscape. The existing shed roof hall will form the backbone of the complex. The two landowners want to concentrate their closed industrial sites on the area west of the Alpine Bridge and on the grounds of the textile centre. Mixed uses are planned outside these areas. The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) will also be one of the key players with its new campus.

    The results of the workshop process will be on display at Thun Town Hall until 6 March.

  • Communities on Lake Zurich strengthen economic networking

    Communities on Lake Zurich strengthen economic networking

    The Gold Coast location promotion agency has published its first annual programme. The association was founded in September 2025 by the eleven municipalities of the Meilen district and the Office for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich.

    According to a press release, members benefit from free participation in events, excursions and background discussions, direct access to decision-makers and increased visibility. The first general meeting will take place on 15 April in Stäfa, Zurich. Dr Moritz Lechner, co-founder and co-chairman of the board of directors of Sensirion, will speak as a guest speaker.

    The press release also mentions a members’ lunch with a workshop visit to Micro Mobility Systems AG in Küsnacht and a members’ morning snack at the Zumikon municipal administration. This will be followed in August by an after-work excursion to Seepark Uetikon, where apartments for around 600 people are being built on the site of a former chemical factory. An excursion to the Zurich Cantonal Council is also planned.

  • New technology extends the service life of old bridges

    New technology extends the service life of old bridges

    The bridges, which were built in the 1980s, are showing increasing signs of fatigue and need to be repaired. Researchers and engineers from the Structural Engineering Department at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in Dübendorf are working on new methods for renovating these bridges. For their experiments, they are using a bridge deck made of ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) reinforced with shape memory steel, according to a press release. This steel is an iron-based steel made from an alloy containing manganese, silicon and chromium, among other elements. The fibre-reinforced concrete is bonded to this steel. When heated, the steel contracts and closes any cracks that have appeared in the concrete.

    The researchers led by Angela Sequeira Lemos and Christoph Czaderski carried out corresponding experiments in Empa’s construction hall. Five concrete slabs, each five metres long, simulate bridge elements. One of these remained unreinforced, while the others were reinforced with conventional reinforcing steel or shape memory steel. For the test, cracks were made in the slabs to simulate real-life wear conditions. The results showed that the combination of fibre-reinforced concrete and shape memory steel was more effective. It was able to close cracks and lift sagging bridge sections. “We were able to show that our system not only works, but can actually revive existing bridges,” Angela Sequeira Lemos is quoted as saying in the press release.

    The research project was funded by Innosuisse and supported by OST– University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, re-fer, a spin-off of Empa in Seewen, and the Swiss Cement Industry Association cemsuisse. A practical test on a real bridge could spark interest from industry. “And with increasing demand, material costs are also likely to fall – then this technology could bring about lasting change in bridge renovation,” Sequeira Lemos is convinced.

  • Construction site for retirement home in Schlieren to be set up in March

    Construction site for retirement home in Schlieren to be set up in March

    From the beginning of March 2026, the construction site for the new Schlieren retirement home “Wohnen am Stadtpark”will be visible to the public. Preparatory work will then begin there. Two appeals had led to a one-year delay, but these were withdrawn in December 2025. The legal proceedings have now been concluded. According to a statement from the city of Schlieren, the construction site can now be set up and the initial construction and preparatory work can begin. The official ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for April 2026. Construction work is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

    As construction begins, the playground on the western edge of the city park will also be dismantled starting in early March. According to the city, a new municipal playground is already being built at Stürmeierhuus. It is scheduled to be completed in April.

    In the referendum on 12 March 2023, a loan of CHF 44.32 million for the construction of the new retirement home was clearly approved with 76.6 per cent voting in favour. As the city emphasises, it makes “an important contribution to ensuring modern, needs-based care and nursing for the elderly close to their homes”.

  • Cooperation aims to secure landfill capacity in the long term

    Cooperation aims to secure landfill capacity in the long term

    The cantons of St. Gallen, Thurgau and Schaffhausen are working together to plan new landfills for slag from waste incineration plants, according to a statement from the Department of Construction and Environmentof the Canton of St. Gallen. Over the next two years, the waste management authorities of the three cantons will develop a coordinated plan that identifies the need for landfill volume and landfill sites. The aim is to ensure secure waste disposal for the next 30 years and to exploit economic and ecological advantages.

    The starting point for the collaboration is the foreseeable shortage of suitable landfill volume. The incineration of waste in waste incineration plants produces waste incineration plant slag that cannot be further recycled and must be stored in specially secured type D landfills. Such facilities are in short supply both in the participating cantons and throughout Switzerland. Without additional capacity, there is a risk of bottlenecks in waste disposal in the medium term.

    Coordinated planning aims to optimise existing cantonal waste streams, exploit economic and ecological advantages and enable the rational use of individual sites. In this way, the three cantons want to offer long-term planning and disposal security for waste producers as well as waste incineration plants and landfills.

    With this project, the cantons are fulfilling their legal mandate for waste planning. This includes determining future landfill requirements and identifying suitable locations. The jointly developed planning basis will then serve as the foundation for cantonal planning instruments such as structure plans and other procedures.

  • Canton Zurich creates interface with innovation park

    Canton Zurich creates interface with innovation park

    According to a statement, the canton of Zurich has created the Zurich Innovation Park specialist unit. This implements a decision by the cantonal government in April 2025 to transform the coordination unit, which was previously managed by an external mandate, into a regular organisation. The specialist unit is based in the Office for Economic Affairs and began operations at the start of the year.

    The centre is responsible for ensuring the division of tasks between the Department of Economic Affairs, the Innovation Park Foundation, IPZ Property AG and IPZ Operations AG. It coordinates cantonal projects and involves various stakeholders in the local communities, the federal government, the business community and other partners.

    In addition to the Innovation Park as the most important area development project in the canton, the specialist unit will also focus on the active development of commercial space as a key location factor. This involves space for the growth, transformation and establishment of companies, particularly in or around the Innovation Park, but also throughout the canton.

    Benjamin Grimm is the first head of the specialist unit. The geographer has a Master’s degree in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and a Master of Advanced Studies in Real Estate from the University of Zurich. He has worked for the Federal Office for Spatial Development and the Office for Spatial Development of the Canton of Zurich, among others.

  • Relocation marks new stage of development

    Relocation marks new stage of development

    HKGhas decided to relocate within Baden-Dättwil. According to a press release, the engineering and consulting firm will be located at Täfernstrasse 14A in Baden-Dättwil from 1 March 2026. The new location offers more space than the previous address at Im Langacker 20.

    For HKG, this marks “a new chapter in the further development of the location,” according to the company. The relocation will create space for further growth and the future of the electrical engineering, building technology and energy consulting provider, which was founded in 1978 according to its own information.

    The additional space will create a better working environment “for creative ideas, efficient collaboration and future-oriented work”. Employees will be able to develop their full potential in a “modern home” and implement projects even more successfully.

  • Thun North forms a new urban neighbourhood

    Thun North forms a new urban neighbourhood

    The cantonal development centre Thun North is considered the most important business location in the Bernese Oberland and is one of the four premium locations in the canton of Bern. The area between Selve and Lerchenfeld, which is still heavily characterised by military use, is to be gradually opened up for new uses. This will create space for working, living and mobility, linked by a new public access route.

    Workshop process as a milestone
    In 2025, the city of Thun conducted a workshop process together with Armasuisse Immobilien, Ruag Real Estate AG and BLS. It marked an important milestone in the transformation of the area. The task was to identify ways in which the site could develop into a modern, networked urban district. In addition to the future Thun Nord S-Bahn station, the creation of a lively urban environment is at the centre of the project.

    Open spaces as a basic framework
    The planning considerations focus on open spaces as a connecting element between the closed military areas to the south of the site. The three interdisciplinary teams developed several approaches in dialogue with experts, owners and interest groups. Despite different concepts, a common core emerged. The open space, Aare, Alpenbrücke and Allmendstrasse form the supporting framework to which future neighbourhood structures will connect. The new railway station also makes reference to the existing buildings. The striking shed roof hall will serve as the backbone and identity carrier.

    From idea to realisation
    The next phase is now starting. In a so-called synthesis, the city, owners and project partners are working on further refining the open space and neighbourhood structure. This forms the basis for the next, harmonised plans, such as infrastructure projects or the necessary planning instruments. Thun North is thus taking shape as a forward-looking neighbourhood that combines economic strength and spatial quality.

  • New investor for Werkmatt Uri

    New investor for Werkmatt Uri

    On 25 February 2026, Director of Economic Affairs Urban Camenzind and Risa Immobilien SA signed the purchase agreement for construction site 11 on Werkmatt Uri. This is based on a purchase rights agreement concluded in 2024 between the Canton of Uri and IG Innovationspark Gotthard. In recent years, the IG has developed the project idea for a functional, sustainably built and architecturally impressive commercial and service building. In October 2025, the municipality of Altdorf granted planning permission for a four-storey building with around 4,000 square metres of floor space and room for around 140 workplaces.

    Marcus Weber backs the Uri location
    Risa Immobilien SA is backed by Marcus Weber, an investor with a high profile in Switzerland in the property, tourism and Alpine infrastructure sectors. He has been involved in Sedrun/Disentis for many years and, as Chairman of the Board of Directors and main shareholder of Bergbahnen Disentis AG, is involved in the expansion of the tourism offering there. Weber is also already present in the canton of Uri, for example with investments in the ski lift, mountain restaurant and accompanying infrastructure on the Brüsti in Attinghausen. By investing in Werkmatt Uri, he is expanding his involvement with another forward-looking project in the Alpine region.

    Project enters the implementation phase
    The planned office and commercial building is being built on the northern edge of Werkmatt Uri, within walking distance of the Altdorf cantonal railway station and close to the future A2 motorway junction. Construction is scheduled to start in autumn 2026, with occupation scheduled for 2028, and the investor wants to push ahead with the implementation quickly. This will create attractive, flexible space in a central location for companies that want to utilise Uri’s locational advantages.

    Werkmatt Uri offers further potential
    At around twelve hectares, Werkmatt Uri is the last large land reserve in the Uri valley floor and has excellent access between the cantonal railway station and the A2 motorway. The site is intended to provide over 1,000 jobs in the long term and be developed specifically for industrial, commercial and service companies. In addition to construction site 11, around eight hectares are still available for sale or the granting of building rights, handled by the canton of Uri. Companies interested in sites can find further information online on the Werkmatt Uri platform.

  • How Basel-Landschaft creates spaces for innovation and living

    How Basel-Landschaft creates spaces for innovation and living

    Basel-Landschaft is building for the future. Former industrial sites are being transformed into innovative campuses, flexible business parks and urban neighbourhoods. Dreispitz combines art, education and high-tech on the cantonal border and creates space for 4,000 jobs, research and sustainable architecture at the highest level. Uptown Basel in Arlesheim is positioning itself as a hotspot for Industry 4.0 and medtech with quantum computing pioneers and an ecological beacon character. New neighbourhoods in Muttenz, BusinessCity and AM SCHÄNZLI combine living and working spaces, green open spaces and climate-friendly mobility, further enhancing the location’s profile as a centre of knowledge and innovation.

    In Pratteln, Bredella, the Campus der Wirtschaft and Zentrale Pratteln are creating modern urban living spaces that focus on sustainable development, smart infrastructure and flexible usage concepts. In Allschwil, Bachgraben is developing into a leading life sciences location with the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, where biotech, medtech and pharmaceutical companies are driving forward cutting-edge research and high-tech innovations. The Laufen Industrial Park and Ziegelei Ost in Allschwil are creating momentum for regional production, craftsmanship and community, with a focus on the circular economy and CO² reduction. GETEC PARK is a growth engine for chemistry and life sciences, driven by decarbonisation and ESG standards.

    Basel-Land thus demonstrates how diversity, sustainability and innovative strength are driving transformation.

    Dreispitz
    Dreispitz in Münchenstein (Basel-Landschaft) is one of the most diverse areas in the Basel region. It combines art, education and business. Over 380 companies and around 4,000 jobs characterise the Dreispitz business park, flanked by universities such as the FHNW and creative clusters. The intercantonal site offers space for innovative companies, start-ups, culture and modern educational institutions. A vital location for the future of the entire region.

    uptownBasel
    uptownBasel is currently building the future. Since 2019, a state-of-the-art innovation campus has been under construction for the jobs of the coming decades. The world-renowned dental implant manufacturer Straumann will relocate a total of 1,000 jobs to the forward-looking development area by 2028. Arlesheim will thus become the most important hotspot for medical technology in Switzerland. The campus, which is being rapidly developed by the Staehelin family and Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen, features several buildings already under construction with sustainable architecture of the highest standard. The roof deck has attracted worldwide attention and, together with the seminar and event rooms, is helping to make the site the state-of-the-art centrepiece of the Baselland industrial location.

    Laufen Industrial Park
    The Laufen Industrial Park is located on the former tile factory site of Keramik Laufen AG on the south-eastern edge of the city and has been owned by the Abendrot Foundation since 2017. Following the major fire in 2020, which destroyed around 80% of the building, the commercial site will be rebuilt between 2025 and 2027 as single-storey timber frame buildings. The aim is to create a modern, affordable offering for small regional businesses, craftsmen and creative professionals, with flexible rental spaces and individual expansion options. A network of commercial streets ensures good access, lighting and promotes networking among users. Densification and multi-storey extensions are possible in order to respond flexibly to regional demand. The focus is on sustainability. The concept is characterised by the reuse of building components, wood instead of concrete and renewable energy. An area association is to strengthen cohesion. The overall result will be a regionally relevant, versatile and sustainable commercial centre.

    AM SCHÄNZLI
    The new AM SCHÄNZLI district in Muttenz marks an urban reinterpretation of living, working and leisure at the gateway to Basel. By 2029, three high-rise buildings with 385 apartments and 14,000 m² of commercial space will be built on the 74,000 m² “Hagnau Ost” site. A central square and intensive greening lend urban density a quality of life right next to the Birs recreation area. The focus is on resource-saving construction, energy efficiency (SNBS Gold), photovoltaics and optimised mobility for pedestrians and cyclists. AM SCHÄNZLI stands for modern location development and the sustainable integration of city and nature.

    BaseLink site
    The Bachgraben site in Allschwil has developed into a driver of innovation in Basel. The location combines international life science companies, state-of-the-art research and sustainable urban development. Projects such as the BaseLink site and new public transport and cycling initiatives are creating attractive jobs and an urban environment. Close cooperation between the canton, municipality and business community ensures dynamism and makes the area a showcase project in the tri-national region.

    Business campus
    The new business campus is located directly next to the railway station in Pratteln and is developing into one of the most important event and work locations in the Basel area. By 2028, the H² building will become a state-of-the-art centrepiece. Six floors offer over 10,000 m² of flexible laboratory, event and office space, complemented by a congress hall for up to 1,900 people and a total of more than 6,000 m² of event space. The campus is aimed at companies from industry, research and services, with sustainable architecture, optimal accessibility, infrastructure from a single source and synergies with the Bredella district. The development strengthens the region’s competitiveness and positions Pratteln as an international centre for innovation, exchange and major events.

    GETEC PARK.MUTTENZ
    GETEC PARK.MUTTENZ is the leading industrial cluster in north-western Switzerland for chemicals, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. It combines state-of-the-art infrastructure, secure laboratory and logistics space, and sustainable energy and resource concepts on 50 hectares. The park, which emerged from Infrapark Baselland and Schweizerhalle, is home to global corporations and numerous SMEs. Innovative solutions such as Waste2Value and ESG-based processes make GETEC a growth engine for the industry.

    Pratteln headquarters
    The Pratteln headquarters project is transforming the former Coop site north of the railway station into a lively, ecologically and socially oriented neighbourhood. By 2026, around 480 cooperative apartments for 1,200 people will be built, complemented by a new school, around 15,000 m² of commercial space and a variety of open spaces. Construction and planning are consistently focused on preserving existing structures, reusing building components and sustainable energy supply. Historic industrial buildings such as the sugar silo will be preserved. The cooperation of six developers and the innovative utilisation concept make Pratteln Headquarters a showcase project for non-profit and sustainable neighbourhood development in the Basel region.

    Bredella in Pratteln
    Bredella in Pratteln represents the large-scale transformation of a central industrial area into an innovative urban quarter. In the immediate vicinity of the railway station, 87,000 m² of diverse residential, work and leisure facilities are being created, interspersed with green spaces and renovated industrial buildings. The master plan and neighbourhood plans focus on gradual development, sustainable mobility and a high quality of life. With a perimeter block, high-rise buildings, commercial and studio space, car-free areas and lively ground floors, a model for urban living in the Basel area is being created. Bredella boldly combines modernity, history and sustainable development.

    Ziegelei Ost
    Ziegelei Ost in Allschwil is undergoing a comprehensive transformation into a lively, mixed-use neighbourhood. Historic buildings are being carefully preserved and combined with new uses for living, working and recreation. The neighbourhood is characterised by large green spaces, diverse public spaces and a finely meshed network of paths connecting three central squares: Kulturplatz, Quartierplatz and Lettenwiese. The industrial tradition remains evident through the preservation of the brickworks halls and their integration into modern structures. The project focuses on circularity, the reuse of building components and flexible new buildings to ensure climate protection, sustainability and a high quality of life.

  • International cooperation is gaining importance in digital construction

    International cooperation is gaining importance in digital construction

    The software provider Revizto, based in Lausanne, has announced its membership of buildingSmartin a press release. The international organisation buildingSmart, based in Hertfordshire, UK, is committed to improving work processes, for example through internationally valid and open standards for Building Information Modelling (BIM).

    By joining, Revizto is responding to the problem that construction projects are becoming increasingly complex and technically sophisticated. Greater interdisciplinary and international cooperation is needed. As a result, standards and rules must be adapted to the market situation. “Open standards are increasingly crucial to the way the AECO industry works,” said Arman Gukasyan, founder and CEO of Revizto, in the announcement regarding companies in the architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) sectors. “As a Swiss company, joining buildingSMART organisations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland allows us to intensify our involvement in regional communities that are driving the adoption of openBIM. By working closely with project teams in ongoing programmes, we can help link standard development to the practical requirements of project delivery – improving team coordination, minimising risk and working more efficiently.”

    Revizto plans to participate in regional initiatives, working groups and knowledge-sharing activities as part of its memberships and to support the ongoing progress towards open, efficient digital construction practices in the DACH region.

  • Both Basel cantons want to support the ramp-up of hydrogen

    Both Basel cantons want to support the ramp-up of hydrogen

    The cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft have presented their first joint hydrogen strategy. It aims to build on the region’s role as Switzerland’s energy hub and support the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. According to a statement on the strategy, the region is well positioned to do so thanks to its trimodal transport infrastructure, the Rhine ports and large tank farms.

    The region intends to rely exclusively on hydrogen produced from renewable energies. This is mainly needed where high energy densities are required. The two cantons commissioned a study by the Zurich-based planning office EBP Switzerland to determine demand. According to the study, hydrogen demand in industry, heavy goods transport and shipping could account for between 0.4 and 3.4 per cent of the energy demand of both cantons in 2025.

    The regional infrastructure for green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as methanol, is to cover all stages of the value chain, from production to use. The strategy focuses on both hydrogen clusters and energy hubs in order to create industrial ecosystems.

    Economically, the production of green hydrogen makes sense above all in close proximity to the production of renewable energies. The municipal utility company IWB and Fritz Meyer AG are currently planning Switzerland’s largest electrolyser in the port of Birsfelden. It will have a capacity of 15 megawatts and will draw its electricity from the Birsfelden run-of-river power plant.  The hydrogen could be consumed by industry in the immediate vicinity. IWB also wants to offer the planned cluster to projects in Germany and France. However, the final investment decision has not yet been made. Part of the hydrogen pipeline is already under construction along the Rhine.

  • How Basel-Landschaft creates spaces for innovation and living

    How Basel-Landschaft creates spaces for innovation and living

    Basel-Landschaft is building for the future. Former industrial sites are being transformed into innovative campuses, flexible business parks and urban neighbourhoods. The Dreispitz combines art, education and high-tech on the cantonal border and creates space for 4,000 jobs, research and sustainable architecture at the highest level. Uptown Basel in Arlesheim is positioning itself as a hotspot for Industry 4.0 and MedTech with quantum computing pioneers and ecological lighthouse character. New districts in Muttenz, BusinessCity and AM SCHÄNZLI combine living and working spaces, green open spaces and climate-friendly mobility, further raising the location’s profile as a centre of knowledge and innovation.

    In Pratteln, modern urban living spaces are being created with Bredella, the Campus der Wirtschaft and Zentrale Pratteln, which focus on sustainable development, smart infrastructure and flexible utilisation concepts. In Allschwil, Bachgraben is developing into a leading life sciences location with the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, where biotech, medtech and pharmaceutical companies are driving forward cutting-edge research and high-tech innovations. The Laufen Industrial Park and Ziegelei Ost in Allschwil create impetus for regional production, craftsmanship and community, focussing on the circular economy and CO² reduction. GETEC PARK is a growth driver for chemistry and life sciences, driven by decarbonisation and ESG standards.

    Basel-Land demonstrates how diversity, sustainability and innovation are driving transformation.

    Dreispitz
    Dreispitz in Münchenstein (Basel-Landschaft) is one of the most diverse areas in the Basel region. Art, education and business come together here. Over 380 companies and around 4,000 jobs characterise the Dreispitz business park, flanked by universities such as the FHNW and creative clusters. The intercantonal area offers space for innovative companies, start-ups, culture and modern educational institutions. A vital future location for the entire region.
    www.dreispitz.ch

    uptownBasel
    uptownBasel is building the future. A state-of-the-art innovation campus for the jobs of the coming decades has been under construction since 2019. The world-famous dental implant manufacturer Straumann is relocating a total of 1,000 jobs to the future-oriented development site by 2028. Arlesheim will thus become the most important hotspot for medical technology in Switzerland. The campus, which is being realised at a rapid pace by the Staehelin family and Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen, is characterised by several buildings already under construction with sustainable architecture at the highest level. The Roofdeck has now attracted worldwide attention and, together with the seminar and event rooms, serves to make the site a state-of-the-art centrepiece for the industrial location of Baselland.
    uptownbasel.ch

    Laufen Industrial Park
    The Laufen Industrial Park is located on the former Keramik Laufen AG tile factory on the south-eastern edge of the city and has been owned by the Abendrot Foundation since 2017. Following the major fire in 2020, which destroyed around 80% of the substance, the industrial site will be rebuilt as a single-storey timber system building from 2025 to 2027. The aim is to provide modern, affordable accommodation for small regional businesses, tradespeople and creative professionals, with flexible rental space and customised expansion options. A network of commercial lanes ensures good access and lighting and promotes networking between users. Densification and multi-storey extensions are possible in order to respond flexibly to regional demand. The focus is on sustainability. Re-use of building components, wood instead of concrete and renewable energy characterise the concept. An area association is intended to strengthen cohesion. Overall, a regionally relevant, versatile and sustainable commercial centre is being created.
    www.abendrot.ch

    AM SCHÄNZLI
    The new AM SCHÄNZLI neighbourhood in Muttenz marks an urban reinterpretation of living, working and leisure at the gateway to Basel. Three high-rise buildings with 385 flats and 14,000 m² of commercial space will be built on the 74,000 m² “Hagnau Ost” site by 2029. A central square and intensive greening will lend urban density and quality of life directly on the Birs recreational area. The focus is on resource-conserving construction, energy efficiency (SNBS Gold), photovoltaics and optimised mobility for pedestrians and cyclists. AM SCHÄNZLI stands for modern site development and sustainable integration of city and nature.
    am-schaenzli.ch

    BaseLink site
    The Bachgraben site in Allschwil has developed into Basel’s innovation engine. The site combines international life science companies, cutting-edge research and sustainable urban development. Projects such as the BaseLink site and new public transport and cycling initiatives are creating attractive workplaces and an urban environment. Close cooperation between the canton, the municipality and the business community is creating momentum and making the area a showcase project in the tri-national region.
    sip-baselarea.com/maincampus/

    Campus of the economy
    The new Campus der Wirtschaft is located directly next to the railway station in Pratteln and is developing into one of the most important event and work locations in the Basel region. By 2028, the H² building will be a state-of-the-art centrepiece. Six storeys will offer over 10,000 m² of flexible laboratory, event and office space, supplemented by a congress hall for up to 1,900 people and a total of more than 6,000 m² of event space. The campus is aimed at companies from industry, research and services, with sustainable architecture, optimal accessibility, infrastructure from a single source and synergies with the Bredella neighbourhood. The development strengthens the region’s competitiveness and positions Pratteln as an international centre for innovation, exchange and major events.
    h2-pratteln.ch

    GETEC PARK.MUTTENZ
    GETEC PARK.MUTTENZ is the leading industrial cluster in north-west Switzerland for chemicals, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. State-of-the-art infrastructure, safe laboratory and logistics areas as well as sustainable energy and resource concepts are concentrated on 50 hectares. The park, created from Infrapark Baselland and Schweizerhalle, is home to global corporations and numerous SMEs. Innovative solutions such as Waste2Value and ESG-based processes make GETEC the growth engine of the industry.
    www.getec.swiss

    Pratteln headquarters
    The Zentrale Pratteln project is transforming the former Coop site north of the railway station into a lively, environmentally and socially oriented neighbourhood. By 2026, around 480 cooperative flats for 1,200 people will be built, supplemented by a new school, around 15,000 m² of commercial space and a variety of open spaces. Construction and planning consistently focus on preserving existing buildings, reusing building components and sustainable energy supply. Historic industrial buildings such as the sugar silo will be retained. The cooperation between six property developers and the innovative utilisation concept make Zentrale Pratteln a showcase project for non-profit and sustainable neighbourhood development in the Basel region.
    centralpratteln.ch

    Bredella in Pratteln
    Bredella in Pratteln stands for the large-scale transformation of a central industrial site into an innovative urban neighbourhood. In the immediate vicinity of the railway station, 87,000 m² of diverse living, working and leisure facilities are being created, interspersed with green squares and renovated industrial buildings. The masterplan and neighbourhood plans focus on gradual development, sustainable mobility and a high quality of stay. With perimeter blocks, high-rise buildings, commercial and studio spaces, car-free areas and lively ground floors, a model for urban living in the Basel region is being created. Bredella boldly combines modernity, history and sustainable development.
    bredella.ch

    Brickworks East
    Ziegelei Ost in Allschwil is undergoing a comprehensive transformation into a lively, mixed neighbourhood. Historic buildings are being carefully preserved and combined with new uses for living, working and recreation. Large green areas, diverse public spaces and a finely meshed network of paths connecting three central squares – Kulturplatz, Quartierplatz and Lettenwiese – are characteristic of the area. The industrial tradition remains tangible through the preservation of the brickworks and their integration into modern structures. The project emphasises circularity, the reuse of building components and flexible new buildings in order to ensure climate protection, sustainability and a high quality of life.
    www.ziegelei-ost.ch


  • Gaudí’s hidden chalet in the Pyrenees

    Gaudí’s hidden chalet in the Pyrenees

    Neither original plans nor an official signature by Gaudí exist for the Catllaràs chalet. For decades, the attribution was based primarily on formal similarities to known works. The investigation commissioned in 2023 by the Gaudí Chair of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia therefore opted for a different strategy: geometric and constructive analyses instead of archival finds at the last moment.

    Under the direction of Galdric Santana, the building was measured in three dimensions, its supporting structure analysed in detail and compared with confirmed Gaudí buildings. The team also analysed historical photographs and the building history surrounding the projects for Eusebi Güell. The study concludes that the design was by Gaudí, but that the execution was the responsibility of third parties and deviated from the original concept.

    The logic of the vaults
    The core of the argument is the supporting structure. The chalet has a rectangular floor plan and a pointed vaulted roof that reaches almost to the ground. The roof and façade are structurally one unit; windows are located exclusively in the long walls and look like mansards cut into the vault. The end walls remain closed, statically consistent, formally radical.

    The decisive factor is the central longitudinal axis, which acts as a load-bearing backbone to support the storeys. Santana emphasises that this constructive logic is typical of Gaudí. The vault not only serves as a ceiling, it also supports the levels above it. This is based on working with a chain or cable model. The sagging line of a loaded chain provides the ideal pressure line of an arch. If this model is turned round, the result is a vault shape that is almost completely under pressure, a principle that Gaudí systematically utilised.

    Interventions during construction
    However, the study also shows that the load-bearing structure was altered during construction. Instead of consistently transferring the loads via the vault and the central axis, the builders inserted additional transverse walls. Longitudinal beams took over parts of the load transfer, which weakened the original radical clarity of the system.

    Santana sees this as a possible reason why Gaudí never openly claimed authorship. The “cable car”, working with the ideal chain line, was not consistently implemented in the chalet for the support of the floor slabs. The idea can be seen in the supporting structure, but its consistent application was only partially realised.

    Gaudí and Güell
    The chalet was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, Gaudí’s main patron. He ran a coal mine and the Asland cement factory in the region. The building served as accommodation for engineers and technical specialists and their families. As such, the house does not stand in the context of prestigious city palaces, but rather in the field of tension between industry, infrastructure and the harsh mountain landscape.

    The project coincided with a phase in which Gaudí was working on Park Güell and the Colònia Güell church at the same time. Against this background, it seems plausible that he did not take on the construction management of a remote chalet in the Pyrenees himself. After the mine and factory were shut down, the house was used as a country school for a time and many locals remember it from their childhood. Today it has been restored and is open to the public, and is an identity-forming building block for the municipality of La Pobla.

    Typical of the region and highly rational
    The chalet occupies a special place in Gaudí’s oeuvre. It is significantly smaller than icons such as the Sagrada Família, but it shows central motifs of his thinking. Santana speaks of a large-scale reinterpretation of the Gothic mountain huts of the Pyrenees. Gaudí takes up regional building traditions, but transforms them structurally and geometrically.

    The compact, self-contained form responds to the harsh climate and reduces construction costs. Materials are largely sourced from the surrounding area and the building blends topographically into the slope. The 45-degree distributors in the floor plan, which Gaudí also used in the Torre Bellesguard, are also characteristic. They create flowing spatial transitions and break up rigid orthogonal systems – another element of identification.

    How architectural science examines authorship
    The study of the Catllaràs chalet is not only a contribution to Gaudí research, but also a lesson in methods of architectural attribution. In contrast to painting, buildings rarely have a clear “signature”. Works are remodelled, extended or converted by employees, plans are lost or only exist in fragments. The researchers therefore combined geometric analyses, material investigations and digital 3D models with historical source work. Proportions, curvatures and structural logic were compared with verified Gaudí buildings, while photographs from the time of construction completed the picture. At the presentation, the Minister of Culture emphasised how indispensable such scientific certifications are in order to reliably determine authorship. Catllaràs’ chalet is thus transformed from a local special case into a clearly localised building block in the oeuvre of one of the most important architects of modernism.

  • Railway station north Regensdorf

    Railway station north Regensdorf

    The “Baufeld N O” development comprises ten buildings with a total of around 283 rental flats and two inner courtyards. Four- and five-room flats are also planned, which are particularly attractive for families.

    The utilisation concept envisages a strong mix. The development will include a daycare centre and a kindergarten, a restaurant, a grocery shop and other shops and services. Two buildings are planned as purely commercial buildings, while the remaining eight will contain flats from the first to the seventh floor. An underground car park with 289 parking spaces and over 1000 bicycle parking spaces will provide underground access.

    Location and access
    The project is located between the SBB railway line and the Wehntalerstrasse cantonal road and replaces older commercial buildings on the edge of the municipality. This will continue the transformation of the former commercial area near Regensdorf railway station into a dense residential neighbourhood along the transport axis. The first high-rise building, currently the tallest wooden high-rise in Switzerland, and another residential tower have already been realised or are under construction in the immediate vicinity.

    Plots N and O are located on the edge of the settlement in front of the forest and Katzensee area, which emphasises the project’s role as a hinge between densification and landscape. A new road (Spange Althardstrasse) will run along the railway line to the cantonal road, bundling the traffic from the new buildings and routing it into the higher-level network. Plazza has already demolished a commercial building on the railway line for this purpose, and initial preparatory work is underway.

    Architecture and expression
    The design of the development builds on the industrial past of the site. The seven-storey residential buildings will have façades with ceramic and metal panels. Light-coloured profiled sheet metal façades are planned towards Kantonsstrasse, with darker ceramic façades in the inner courtyards, structured by light-coloured window frames and balcony balustrades.

    Two inner courtyards structure the dense development and offer sheltered outdoor spaces in an environment characterised by infrastructure. According to Plazza, visualisations of the various building types are currently being revised and will be published at a later date.

    Project status, costs and rental potential
    The design plan has been legally binding since August 2025 and the construction project is available. Plazza assumes that construction work will begin in 2026 and, according to the planning application, will last until spring 2029.

    According to Plazza, the investment volume is between CHF 220 and 240 million and the annual rental potential is likely to exceed around CHF 9 million. This makes the Bahnhof Nord project one of the most important development components in the company’s portfolio and one of the key growth projects on the outskirts of Zurich.

  • AI monitoring brings new precision to infrastructure planning

    AI monitoring brings new precision to infrastructure planning

    Innovation Zurich has published the latest report from its AI Innovation Sandbox. Under the title “Sensor-based bridge monitoring – data collection and predictions for infrastructure maintenance”, Innovation Zurich, a joint initiative of the Canton of Zurich Economic Development Agency, Greater Zurich Area and Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, investigated what data-based monitoring can achieve in terms of risk assessment and modernisation strategies for infrastructure structures. Data-based monitoring approaches are not yet an integral part of established standard-based condition assessment, which is usually extremely conservative, according to the report.

    In a pilot project, Swiss South-Eastern Railwayfrom St. Gallen and irmos technologies AG, based in Technopark Zurich, examined the Reidholz Bridge on the Wädenswil-Einsiedeln line as an example. It was built in 1910 and rebuilt in 1953. The railway company wanted to clarify whether extending its use from ten to 20 years would be technically possible and economically viable. It also examined whether the methodology could be transferred to comparable bridges in its portfolio.

    Using easy-to-install sensors from irmos technologies, which are specially tailored to the requirements of bridge monitoring, the research partners collected data from real-world operations during a test phase lasting several months. Cameras were also used to document train types, speeds and compositions and to validate the modelled traffic loads.

    The results show that even short measurement periods enable robust statements to be made about fatigue and stiffness, facilitating the trade-off between extending the service life and replacing the structure. This is because “based on sensor data, the system supports infrastructure operators in identifying risks at an early stage and planning maintenance measures in a targeted manner,” summarises irmos founder and CEO Dr Panagiotis Martakis.

    The report concludes that it is crucial that data collection is not an end in itself and that data-based methods solve a specific operational problem, such as the question: How long will the bridge actually last compared to standard-based estimates? The method delivers the greatest added value when it goes beyond individual cases: monitoring entire bridge portfolios enables comparisons, prioritisation and long-term investment strategies. To achieve this, infrastructure operators need to build up their expertise.

  • Areas in Basel-Stadt as the engine of the future

    Areas in Basel-Stadt as the engine of the future

    Basel-Stadt is a prime example of the sustainable transformation of European industrial regions. A new urban culture is growing on what were once closed production sites, combining density, diversity and participation. Areas such as VoltaNord are creating affordable living space and promoting social diversity. Klybeckplus and Klybeckquai are opening up the Rhine area for living, education and leisure. A milestone for urban networking by 2037.

    The cityscape is also changing on the outskirts. The Dreispitz-Nord area combines commerce with urban living, while the Wolf area and Walkeweg are giving rise to new forms of energy-efficient, neighbourly neighbourhoods. In the north, Vordere St. Johann is developing into the region’s centre of knowledge and health with its campus, university and hospital. Projects such as Westfeld are creating places of coexistence that combine building culture, sustainability and social innovation.

    Basel is thus becoming a laboratory for the urban future – characterised by cooperation, down-to-earthness and foresight.

    Rosental Mitte
    Rosental Mitte is developing from a closed industrial area into a permeable, diverse business location. In addition to workspaces, the canton of Basel-Stadt is gradually creating new spaces for living and leisure. Existing structures are being respectfully rebuilt, with historical elements retained as anchors of identity. Public paths and green spaces connect the neighbourhoods, promoting interaction and mobility. One third of the apartments are being built in the affordable segment. Rosental Mitte stands for forward-looking urban development and sustainable urban quality of life.
    rosentalmitte.ch

    VoltaNord
    VoltaNord is a lively district for around 1,500 to 2,000 residents and up to 2,500 jobs being built on the former Lysbüchel site in the north of Basel. Two-thirds of the new flats are affordable and promote social diversity. The development combines dense working and living with added value for the St. Johann district. A new primary school and attractive open spaces make the site a future-oriented place to live, learn and work.
    voltanord.ch

    klybeckplus
    The former industrial site in the north of Basel is being transformed into a mixed-use urban quarter between the Rhine and Wiese rivers. Around 300,000 square metres of space for living and working is being created for up to 15,000 people. Owners Rhystadt AG and Swiss Life AG are developing the site in collaboration with the canton of Basel-Stadt. The 2022 urban development model forms the basis for this. New tram lines, roads, parks and school locations are creating a network of future-oriented neighbourhoods with an urban character.
    klybeckplus.ch

    Klybeckquai & Westquai
    Klybeckquai and Westquai are being transformed from industrial port areas into lively urban landscapes on the Rhine. The relocation of the port railway is creating space for new uses and opening up the urban landscape towards the water. A mixed-use residential neighbourhood with schools, daycare centres and green courtyards is growing on Klybeckquai. After 2029, Westquai is set to become a diverse location for work, culture, leisure and nature. Both areas are developing into sustainable, future-proof neighbourhoods in line with the Net Zero 2037 initiative.
    klybeck-kleinhüningen.ch

    Dreispitz North
    The Dreispitz Nord area on the eastern edge of Gundeldingen is undergoing change: where the MParc shopping centre, the OBI DIY and garden centre and other commercial enterprises still dominate today, a new, diverse district is emerging. The Christoph Merian Foundation and the Migros Basel cooperative are jointly shaping the future of the area. The urban development concept by Herzog & de Meuron enables the development of residential space and attractive green and open spaces, and promotes a mixed-use, forward-looking neighbourhood with a lively character.
    dreispitznord.ch

    Walkeweg site
    The six-hectare Walkeweg site in the south of Basel is being developed into a lively, family-friendly residential neighbourhood. Up to 650 people will be able to live here affordably and energy-efficiently. The canton and SBB are working with building cooperatives to create a diverse range of affordable and compact apartments. A new primary school, spacious natural areas, communal courtyards and a green neighbourhood square and park create space for social interaction and sustainable quality of life. The development follows the principle of “low cost – low energy”.
    areal-walkeweg.ch

    Wolf site
    The Wolf site is being transformed from a freight station into an urban district with a variety of uses. Around 550 flats are being built in the west, a third of which are affordable, while the east will feature office, logistics and commercial space as well as public facilities. Historic buildings are being preserved and integrated into the new courtyard structure, which places particular emphasis on noise and space concepts. SBB is developing and investing here as the owner, creating socially diverse and sustainable living spaces on around ten hectares in the heart of Basel.
    wolf-basel.ch

    Vorderes St. Johann
    Vorderes St. Johann in the north of Basel is developing into an important location for research, education and health. Over the next few years, new buildings for clinics, universities, libraries and private research institutes will be constructed around the Schällemätteli campus and the university hospital. The canton is also pushing ahead with the development of new tram lines and transport projects. A total of 16 construction and infrastructure projects are being implemented, supported by both private and public actors, which will secure the future of the district as a centre of knowledge and health.
    vorderes-stjohann.ch

    University Hospital Basel: Health Campus
    With its Health Campus, the University Hospital Basel is pursuing a comprehensive development plan to ensure competitiveness and cope with increasing pressure on usage. New buildings such as Clinic 2 by Giuliani Hönger and Clinic 3 by Herzog & de Meuron offer flexible use, modern processes and urban quality. A new development plan regulates the development of the entire site, including green spaces and listed buildings. The construction projects are expected to be completed by 2039 and will strengthen Basel’s position as a healthcare location in the long term.
    unispital-basel.ch

    Westfeld
    On the former Felix Platter Hospital site in the Iselin district, Westfeld is creating a diverse urban quarter with 525 new apartments, converted existing buildings and space for commercial and social services. The wohnen&mehr cooperative is committed to sustainable construction and promotes new living models and community spirit through a neighbourhood garden, Westfeldplatz square and local services. The second construction phase will bring further apartments, commercial space and a bicycle pavilion. Westfeld is creating new meeting places and enriching the neighbourhood in a sustainable way.
    wohnen-mehr.ch



  • Defect rights and builders’ liens – important changes

    Defect rights and builders’ liens – important changes

    Kohler Law is a new boutique law firm specialising in construction and real estate law, constitutional and administrative law, and contract law. With over 15 years of experience in law firms in Zurich and Aargau, I advise and represent private individuals, companies and public institutions. As a sole practitioner, I guarantee a direct point of contact, high availability and advice tailored to your needs. My priority is to find efficient, practical and sustainable solutions.

    Sales contract law
    For movable items that are intended to be integrated into an immovable structure (e.g. building materials), there is now a complaint period of at least 60 days for obvious and hidden defects. The limitation period for defect rights remains five years, although a reduction in the period is still permissible.

    When purchasing land with new buildings that are yet to be constructed or are no more than two years old, buyers are now entitled to a mandatory right of rectification free of charge for the first time. In addition, obvious and hidden defects can now also be reported within at least 60 days of discovery. The rights relating to defects for all types of land purchases expire five years after transfer of ownership, and this period may not be shortened.

    Contract law
    In the future, a 60-day complaint period will apply to obvious and hidden defects in immovable works. This also includes defects in movable works that have been integrated into an immovable work, or defects in works by architects/engineers that form the basis for the creation of an immovable work. Another new feature is a mandatory right to free rectification; contractual exclusions or limitations, such as maximum amounts, are invalid. The five-year limitation period cannot be shortened at the expense of the customer; it begins with the acceptance of the work.

    Building contractor’s lien
    The lien secures payment of outstanding claims for remuneration for work performed by contractors. For owners, this can limit creditworthiness or mean a risk of double payment. The new rule is that security covering the principal claim and default interest for ten years prevents the registration of the lien. This introduces a clear, practical regulation that solves previous problems with unlimited interest guarantees.

    Entry into force and transitional law
    The changes will apply from 1 January 2026. Purchase and works contracts concluded before this date will continue to be subject to the old law; claims for rectification for new buildings completed before 2026 will only exist if contractually agreed. However, mandatory limitation periods and the new security rule in the building contractor’s lien apply regardless of the contract date.

    Recommendations
    It is definitely advisable to adapt all contract templates to the new law. When selling properties that are yet to be built, the purchase and works contracts should be aligned with each other in order to avoid contradictions between the liability under the purchase contract and the works contract. This applies in particular to works contracts concluded in 2025 if the property is not sold until 2026. Particular attention should be paid to SIA Standard 118, as this – unlike the statutory provisions – contains a prior right of rectification for the contractor.

  • Digitalisation drives strategic expansion

    Digitalisation drives strategic expansion

    According to a press release, pom Consulting AG is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The company was founded by Peter Staub and Professor Hansruedi Schalcher as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. It was based on a research project on the integration of tasks, data and processes in the construction industry.

    The consulting firm now offers its services in real estate, infrastructure and construction not only in Zurich, but also in Basel, Bern, Lausanne and St. Gallen, as well as in Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne. It employs over 130 people, has advised over 800 clients and carried out around 8,000 projects.

    According to a press release, pom is now entering its “next strategic growth phase”. It intends to focus on the further development of its digital services, the automation of customer processes and the targeted expansion of its team.

    In doing so, it can rely on the Zurich-based investment company White Peaks Capital, which became an investor in the summer of 2025. The family-owned investor, which specialises in SMEs, is the ideal partner, Peter Staub, founder and chairman of pom, explained in a press release at the time. “This partnership gives us the basis to accelerate our growth in a sustainable manner while remaining true to our roots.”

  • Large area awaiting redevelopment for residential and commercial use

    Large area awaiting redevelopment for residential and commercial use

    HIAG Immobilien AG plans to transform the old Metalli industrial site on the Birs river in Dornach into a mixed-use area for living, working and leisure over a period of up to 20 years. The master plan for the new Wydeneck site envisages 70 per cent residential use for the area of over 130,000 square metres. At least 30,000 square metres are earmarked for commercial and business use. This creates the potential for 600 jobs.

    From the perspective of the Schwarzbubenland location promotion agency, this is not enough. According to a statement, it is calling for the site to be made attractive for the creation of as many high-quality jobs as possible. The focus on residential use carries “the risk of losing valuable commercial space for the future due to short-term profit considerations”.

    Representatives of the location promotion agency, HIAG Immobilien and the municipality have therefore met to discuss the future of the site. HIAG pointed out that “thanks to flexible and forward-looking building and zoning regulations, a higher proportion of commercial use is also possible in principle”.

    Swissmetal will leave the site by the end of 2026. The existing temporary uses can then be expanded. Major structural changes are to be carried out in line with the expansion of the infrastructure. From 2030, the new Dornach-Apfelsee S-Bahn station will connect the site directly to public transport.

  • New building in Gundeli creates living space near the railway station

    New building in Gundeli creates living space near the railway station

    According to a statement, Schlieremer Halter AG has completed construction of the Gundeli new build project and handed it over to the client, WIMAG Weibel Immobilien AG. The project is a rental property in the Gundeli district, directly adjacent to Basel SBB railway station. The new building at Güterstrasse 89/91 and Meret Oppenheim-Strasse 16 offers 66 new apartments as well as commercial and office space, replacing the former residential and commercial buildings on the site.

    The new building densifies the urban space in a central location with a variety of rental apartments. The apartments range from 1.5-room apartments to 3.5-room apartments and feature open floor plans and balconies with versatile views. A green inner courtyard serves as a retreat and enhances the quality of living.

    In addition, versatile commercial space for offices or retail outlets is being created on the ground floor, covering an area of around 1,250 square metres. This is complemented by two further office spaces, each measuring 80 square metres, on the first floor and storage facilities for businesses.

    The two basement levels offer 53 parking spaces that can be rented. These are supplemented by 158 bicycle parking spaces on the ground floor and first basement level.