immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: propTech

  • BAU celebrates a successful comeback

    BAU celebrates a successful comeback

    “BAU has once again proven that it is and remains the most important stage for innovations and premieres in the building sector. Despite the four-year forced break, more companies presented themselves in Munich than ever before. This underpins the very positive response to trade fairs and, in particular, to leading world trade fairs, as was already evident in 2022,” say the two heads of the trade fair Reinhard Pfeiffer and Stefan Rummel, summing up BAU 2023.

    Dieter Schäfer, Chairman of the BAU Exhibitors’ Advisory Council, agrees that BAU 2023 was a great success: “We did everything right by moving BAU 2023 to April. Fully occupied halls and a high proportion of international visitors underline the relevance of BAU. It was all the more important that the fair took place again after more than four years. In future, BAU will return to its usual January date.”

    In addition to the Federal Minister of Construction, Klara Geywitz, Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, also took a look at the innovations and trends in the building industry at BAU: “The largest construction and architects’ trade fair is a successful networking platform for planners and building tradesmen. We need the very innovations presented there on how to reconcile climate protection and the challenges such as affordable building and housing. The fair stands for progress, growth and competitiveness and sets the course for the future in building and urban planning.”

    For Felix Pakleppa, General Manager of the Central Association of the German Building Trade (Zentralverband des Deutschen Baugewerbes), BAU sends a trend-setting signal to the building industry after the long forced break: “With the key themes of digital transformation, the future of living, resources and recycling, as well as modular building, the biggest challenges and trends of the moment have been perfectly mapped out. This year, BAU thus once again offers a great platform for creating future perspectives.”

    Katharina Metzger, President of the Federal Association of the German Building Materials Trade, also considers the return after more than four years a success: “We are more than satisfied with BAU 2023, because such an important sector cannot afford to be without a trade fair platform for six years. Even if important manufacturers for our specialist dealers with their craftsmen were unfortunately not on board this time, we hope that we can count on the old presence of suppliers again in January in 2025.”

    Andrea Gebhard, President of the Federal Chamber of Architects, emphasised the important significance of personal exchange: “BAU 2023 reflects the current issues of the building industry. It is the ideal meeting place for architects and planners to discuss both innovative materials of the future and social issues such as affordable housing.”

    BAU project manager Matthias Strauss is already looking forward to the upcoming events in the BAU Network: “After the successful BAU, the entire team is already very much looking forward to the digitalBAU conference & networking premiere next July as well as the next digitalBAU in February 2024.”

    Internationality of visitors reaches record level
    At the top of the international visitor ranking of BAU are Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Thanks to strong growth, Poland and Turkey take fourth and fifth place. Overall, the international share is almost 80,000 visitors. This corresponds to 40 percent of the total number of visitors and marks a record figure. In percentage terms, the international share is thus still a good deal higher than the previous record result from 2019 (37 per cent).

    The number of Chinese visitors is particularly noteworthy. With 1,600 people, China is one of the top 10 visitor countries at BAU 2023, a positive surprise after the Corona restrictions on travel from China to foreign countries were only recently relaxed.

  • The balance between realistic analyses and visionary creations

    The balance between realistic analyses and visionary creations

    On behalf of the client, real estate developers look for suitable sites for a real estate project or ideas for the use of an existing property. At the beginning of a project, they investigate the potential of a site and prepare feasibility studies for various use options. They initiate contact with the municipal spatial planning and building authorities for clarification.

    Real estate developers lead interdisciplinary teams of experts, including architects, authorities, real estate marketers, cost planners, lawyers and client representatives. They work on financing solutions, assess valuations as well as land purchase and work contracts. They plan the construction project, analyse the planning basis and ensure compliance with legal regulations and standards. At the end of a project, they ensure that the property goes smoothly into operation and that the relevant documentation is handed over to the client.

    For professional handling, real estate developers have knowledge of market research and real estate marketing, investment appraisal, planning and construction processes as well as planning and construction law.

    Requirements for training
    A 3-year basic vocational training, school-leaving certificate, degree from a higher technical college, university or equivalent qualification is required for the federal certificate. Analytical skills, good business and construction knowledge as well as customer and service orientation are essential for the training.

    The training lasts 1 1/2 years and can be completed part-time.

    Gérard Lerner, how would you describe your day-to-day work in five sentences or less?
    The day-to-day work of a project developer is many-sided and varied. In the search for new development opportunities, one is constantly in conversation with brokers, private and institutional property owners and project sellers. An essential part of the daily acquisition routine is the clarification of building regulations based on the applicable planning and building laws as well as discussions with the authorities and architects. Furthermore, profitability calculations and general market analyses play a central role in the evaluation of project opportunities.

    What basic training is suitable for later work as a real estate developer?
    In my opinion, you have good prerequisites with interdisciplinary courses of study such as architecture and urban planning.

    There are various training programmes. Which course do you recommend to future professionals?
    You certainly can’t go wrong with an architectural education in combination with construction economics and construction law.

    What talents and qualities are important?
    In this profession you benefit from conceptual, creative and networked thinking. A flair for numbers as well as curiosity, openness and flexibility are also important.

    What do you particularly like about your job?
    I especially like the variety and the interdisciplinary processes – you are in constant exchange with the most diverse actors such as owners, authorities, user groups, investors, banks and sellers. Every day you balance between realistic analyses and visionary creations, which I find very exciting.

    How do you become a good real estate developer?
    To develop real estate, you need, above all, broad and well-founded experience in the fields of architecture, construction economics and building law. Proactive behaviour, networked thinking, decisiveness and sociability are indispensable social skills that you should have.

    What advice would you give to young professionals in order to successfully gain a foothold in the profession?
    You have to have stamina and be far-sighted. A passion for creativity, curiosity and openness also pave the way to success.

    What milestones and highlights have you achieved and experienced in your professional life so far?
    After my studies, I gained various experiences as a design architect in different architecture firms in Germany and abroad. In the process, I was able to gain fundamental knowledge in construction project planning. Afterwards, I had the opportunity to work as a construction trustee on major construction projects such as Europaallee Zurich. During this time, I was able to gain valuable experience in the areas of technical tenders, contracting and construction processes. In recent years, I have been increasingly active as a client representative and construction manager for private companies such as Visionapartments. In the role as Head of Real Estate, I was able to apply my entire knowledge of acquisition, development, planning, contracting and realisation. I reached a milestone in my professional life a year ago when I started working for Schmid Immobilien AG. A company rich in tradition with highly concentrated competence, experience and quality standards.

  • Seize new business opportunities by activating dormant equity.

    Seize new business opportunities by activating dormant equity.

    Until now, real estate investors who wanted to realise a construction project usually turned to traditional capital providers, especially banks. “But the need for alternative forms of financing has been growing for years,” explains Kevin Hinder, Co-Founder and CEO of Property One. There are many reasons for this: “One decisive factor has to do with the fact that it is becoming increasingly difficult to access capital given the increasingly complex situation on the real estate market.” In the worst case, this leads to temporary financing gaps that can jeopardise the launch and completion of projects. The challenge for professional real estate investors is therefore to actually be able to seize the market opportunities that present themselves. “These opportunities are still absolutely present in the Swiss real estate market,” Hinder emphasises. The local industry is confronted with an enormous shortage of living space in the short and medium term, and the supply is disproportionate to the increasing demand. “Although the market is yearning for new projects, so to speak, there is a lack of the necessary funds as well as often a lack of flexibility to seize the opportunities that arise.“

    Opening up alternative paths to success
    Property One Investors AG has created the ONE Real Estate Debt Fund to remedy this situation. This fund gives professional players in the Swiss real estate market, such as owners, architects and project developers, access to an alternative financing option. Specifically, the fund grants subordinated loans that are secured by promissory notes. The commonly known “second mortgage”, so to speak. Property One’s corporate DNA comes into its own here: “Our fundamental expertise and experience come from the world of real estate,” Kevin Hinder explains. Thanks to this expertise as well as a profound understanding of the market, it is possible to create attractive, real estate-based financing solutions for clients. “We understand the language of our borrowers.”

    The possibilities of the subordinated loans from the ONE Real Estate Debt Fund are accordingly diverse: In addition to bridging financing bottlenecks, the funds also optimise the bank’s own capital structure and return on equity. Consequently, additional equity is released for further market opportunities. “In addition, we are extremely flexible in terms of the general conditions regarding repayment modalities, interest repayments and project progress, as long as we always receive a debt certificate on a Swiss property,” explains Hinder. As an institution subject to FINMA supervision, Property One Investors AG ensures at all times that all framework conditions are complied with and that all loan requests are thoroughly examined and assessed.

    A proven tool
    Critics of subordinated real estate loans often cite the – supposedly high – interest costs incurred as a counter-argument to this financing approach. For Kevin Hinder, this justification is not valid. “Subordinated real estate loans are a flexible catalyst for new market opportunities, which has a market price and enables further investment opportunities for borrowers.” For this very reason, he said, the form of financing established itself as a proven financing tool in Europe, the UK as well as the US years ago. “Our track record also speaks for itself,” Kevin Hinder emphasises. The figures prove him right: in the last two years, more than 250 million Swiss francs have been moved through the ONE Real Estate Debt Fund. During this time, there were no loan defaults and the investments generated a net return of around 6% per year. “We were thus able to establish ourselves with our fund as a sustainable business booster for local real estate professionals and arrange win-win situations.”

    Anyone who would also like to benefit from this boost can contact the experts at Property One Investors AG at any time.

    Further information can be found at finance.propertyone.ch

    The information in this document has been prepared with the greatest of care and in good faith and is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Opinions and assessments contained in this document are subject to change and reflect the viewpoint of Property One Investors AG (POI). No liability is accepted for the accuracy and completeness of the information. Past performance is not indicative of current or future performance. This document is marketing material. Furthermore, this information is intended exclusively for qualified investors within the meaning of Art. 10 para. 3 and 3ter of the Collective Investment Schemes Act (CISA) domiciled in Switzerland.

    About Property One Investors AG
    The owner-managed company was established in 2013. It is a specialised provider in the real estate and investment segment. Its focus is on the asset classes of real estate and private real estate. Since December 2020, Property One Investors AG has been authorised to manage collective assets and is subject to supervision by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

  • Crisis of the brokers

    Crisis of the brokers

    According to the latest data from RealTrends, the top 20 brokerages by number of transactions in 2022 were led by eXp Realty, Anywhere, HomeServices of America, Compass and Howard Hanna. Winners by number of transactions are eXp Realty, The Real Brokerage and Fathom Holdings, losers are Anywhere Advisers, HomeServices of America and Keller Williams. As is well known, this American heavyweight also wants to come to Switzerland, as they themselves announced in October last year. But in their home market, Keller Williams is struggling, they did over 190,000 fewer transactions in 2022 than in 2021.

    Brokers in Switzerland do not know crisis. The market is attractive. For example, in addition to the already mentioned Keller Williams, the German broker allmyhomes.de has announced that it is now expanding into Switzerland after Spain. Noah Schiller, formerly with ConReal, is responsible for the set-up. allmyhomes.de will not make it onto the PropTech Map Switzerland. Like Properti, I see this new player as a broker that uses digital tools. Just like more and more brokers are doing. Broker crisis: not in my backyard!

    Events
    Together with Switzerland Global Enterprise, we are organising a lunchtime event on 10 May 2023 for PropTechs. This workshop will give an overview of the German and Austrian markets and provide an opportunity to make valuable contacts with SBU experts. So anyone looking at expanding into the DACH region should not miss this event.

    The first “digital kommunal” conference took place in The Valley. The location in the buildings of the former Maggi factory offers countless possibilities for successful events. “digital kommunal” was primarily aimed at municipalities, cities and cantons. Those responsible for structural engineering and civil engineering/works were informed by the two organisers and PropTechs immoledo.ch and laixo.ch about the possibilities of digitalising buildings and infrastructure. Information was also provided on the requirements for the digital Werkhof. Elvira Bieri presented SSREI, although the municipalities probably feel that this chalice is passing them by. Anyone who followed the explanations on the digitalisation projects of the city of Zurich could become quite envious. Money does not seem to be a problem in the largest Swiss city. in 2024, “digital kommunal” will continue.

    PropTech Map Switzerland
    Who still remembers the winners of the Real Estate Awards 2022? Wasn’t homedeal24.ch the winner in the marketing category? Back then I wrote critically about the development of the awards. Now I have visited the website of homedeal24.ch again. And what do I find (still): Coming soon.

    Artificial intelligence
    Helvetia Versicherungen uses ChatGPT for its new customer service. According to its own information, Helvetia is the first listed insurance company in the world to offer a direct customer contact service based on OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology. This is intended to answer customer questions about insurance and pensions.

    OpenAI has pointed out that its ChatGPT chatbot is intended for people aged 18 and over. Only if parental permission is given, the service is also to be usable by young people aged 13 and over. OpenAI also wants to look into a verification option. So far, an email address and a mobile phone number have been sufficient. The company is reacting to reports about the use of chatbots in schools, where minors also access ChatGPT.

    news aktuell and PER surveyed PR professionals in Switzerland and Germany. The most important finding: 41% do not use artificial intelligence to date. However, the majority of respondents see AI as an opportunity, especially in copywriting, topic and trend identification and media monitoring.

  • First online real estate auction platform with integrated real-time bidding portal in Switzerland

    First online real estate auction platform with integrated real-time bidding portal in Switzerland

    High brokerage fees, non-transparent market price development and a lack of data-based property price analyses led to fundamental changes in the real estate brokerage process. These analogue sales practices will give way to fully automated bidding platforms with real-time auction functionality in the future.

    This online portal for real estate auctions (in real time) will serve Europe’s digital bidding market for the first time. Approved bidders are given access to a digital and secure “auction room”. The verified interested parties can bid for their desired property there – completely transparently and in real time. Only the highest bidder is awarded the contract. The company stands for legally verified security of an online platform with identified sellers and bidders as well as verified properties and real estate.

    For sellers, the platform is free of charge. Potential bidders receive an objective price estimate for the offered property based on AI algorithms. This market price is based on calculations from large databases. They reliably analyse all common factors that influence the min./max. property price. The values are presented graphically for a profitable purchase price decision. Interested parties know at any time during the auction what is being offered for the desired property. Sellers and interested parties receive continuously updated market price estimates, location valuations and price development information. At the end of the auction, the highest bidder is awarded the contract. No other preferences or arbitrariness influence the sales process.

    “The legal security of the platform, the identification of persons, the verification of the property and the property(ies) on it are essential in this context,” says Marco Brändli, CEO and CoFounder of Residenture. “We verify all required security aspects and guarantee comprehensive security for bidders.” Currently, the digital marketplace is being further validated. At the beginning of next year, the first properties in Switzerland will be auctioned on its auction platform. Leading players in this industry are at its side.

  • Resilience through data – real estate companies can defy multi-crises

    Resilience through data – real estate companies can defy multi-crises

    Act instead of react – always one step ahead of the next crisis
    The world is changing differently and faster than expected. Various crises are developing in parallel and at different speeds: For example, the shortage of skilled workers is accompanied by higher raw material and energy costs, inflation and rising interest rates. The JLL Victor value development index for top office buildings, for example, has fallen more sharply than ever before in the major German cities. Values have fallen by 11.2 per cent over the course of 2022. Real estate companies have been permanently in crisis mode since Corona. “Whether it’s rising prices or a shortage of materials, as a company I have to be able to react to this quickly and flexibly. What does that mean for internal structures? Only if I have my documents and data at hand in high quality at all times without major searches can I flexibly buy or sell assets, design projects transparently, streamline processes. And so I am always one step ahead of the next crisis. A digital data strategy and a document management system based on it are exactly what we need. They form the basis for every decision,” says digitalisation expert Penn.

    Enforcing warranty claims
    In challenging times, real estate companies look for ways to protect their margins. A perennial issue in asset and property management is the warranty. Warranty claims are often not asserted in time or not asserted at all, resulting in additional renovation costs for individual trades. This means that commercial property owners lose a lot of money. Often the knowledge about this lies with individual employees or even external property management partners. If they leave a company or the external property manager is changed, no one knows who is now obliged to do what. Or, if files and documents cannot be found at all or are not available quickly enough, sometimes deadlines simply expire. Then the portfolio owner or property manager is left with nothing and is stuck with the costs, and the portfolio performance drops. Here, too, a systematic DMS can bring transparency and remedy the situation.

    Talk more honestly about digitalisation
    The real estate industry needs digital solutions that are tailored to its specific needs and at the same time establish standards. This is especially true for large companies that have to manage real estate in all lifecycle phases. “Software providers have made many promises in the past that have led to inflated expectations that have not been met and have left scorched earth,” says Penn and demands: “We need to be more honest about digitalisation. More honest in our expectations of a solution. More honest in what a solution can achieve. And more honest about what the path to a digital real estate economy looks like. Because successful digital projects always have one thing in common: an honest collaboration between provider and customer with a common goal and the users in focus.”

  • Low data literacy and low data maturity as barriers to digital progress in the real estate industry

    Low data literacy and low data maturity as barriers to digital progress in the real estate industry

    The Digital Real Estate Survey 2023 shows that the digitalisation maturity of real estate companies in Germany and Switzerland is moderately increasing. The index measures the extent to which market participants are addressing digitalisation and how far they have already taken and implemented measures. The Digital Real Estate Index across the entire market is 4.7, an increase of 0.2 points compared to the previous year. While the Swiss index rose slightly, the German index fell by 0.1 points to 4.8.

    The assessment of digital technologies has been stagnating for years and is thus developing only slowly. Although all technologies are being used more frequently, the increase and expectations of benefits are rather moderate. With the exception of “Decentralised Energy Technologies”, which have experienced a boost due to the looming energy shortage.

    Expensiveness inhibits digital investments
    The development of digital maturity of the different roles in the industry also continues to be even. FM service providers have a higher level of maturity in terms of digital transformation than other market participants, but rising inflation is apparently putting them under such pressure that investments have had to be drastically reduced. Planners and contractors, on the other hand, are investing more in innovation and digitalisation, especially due to the increased use of BIM in project planning. Two thirds of the companies spend more than 1 percent of their annual turnover on innovation and digitalisation, with small companies with up to 49 employees investing proportionately more than medium-sized and large companies. Large companies with 250 or more employees have a higher digital maturity than SMEs.

    “If you compare the investments as a percentage of annual turnover across all company sizes with the turnover of the construction and real estate industry in the narrower sense, this results in a considerable sum in the billions which is spent in the industry on innovation and digitalisation,” explains Rebekka Ruppel, CEO of pom+Germany. “It makes you wonder why the digital maturity level is not increasing faster.”

    Immature data skills as the biggest challenge
    One possible explanation is low data maturity combined with low data literacy. The survey shows that data analytics is used by only a quarter of respondents and that most are engaged in pilot projects or knowledge building (38% of respondents). Only 4 percent are already using the technology in their day-to-day business. The results show that data analytics has a positive impact on more areas of a company than expected – especially in investment, portfolio and asset management. Improved reporting is seen as the biggest benefit, while the lack of quality of the database and the lack of know-how in handling data are seen as the biggest challenges.

    “The awareness of data as an asset has not yet taken hold in the construction and real estate industry. At the same time, the requirements for data architectures are very complex in the extremely heterogeneous environment with highly fragmented processes and different participation groups. Clear and transparent communication in conjunction with structured data governance is necessary here to create a better understanding of data,” explains Rebekka Ruppel.

    The maturity of digitisation in the industry depends not only on technical possibilities, but also on experience, competences and know-how. Companies should focus on expanding and maintaining partner networks as well as overarching business models in order to move from individual performance to joint development. The exchange of data across company and industry boundaries is expected to increase rapidly, so companies should raise awareness of data.

  • Digital operators: A perspective for future property management

    Digital operators: A perspective for future property management

    The digital challenge in real estate portfolios
    Digitalisation has fully arrived in the real estate industry. Great potential is seen in particular in management. Regulatory requirements, e.g. from the sustainability/ESG environment, pressure for efficiency and new user requirements or utilisation concepts really only lead to one conclusion: in the future, it will no longer be possible to operate real estate the way it was done in the last century.

    Digital solutions promise relief in very different areas of management. However, these potentials are not easy to realise: Property portfolios are acquired over years and decades. Accordingly, the process and software landscape for operating these portfolios also grows over years. Moreover, this spans numerous process steps: Systematically digitising the operation of real estate is therefore a challenge whose solution is becoming increasingly urgent.

    Instead of building more applications step by step and trying to patch up a grown overall system, various real estate owners and managers have taken a different approach in the past two years, namely that of a “greenfield approach”: How would one design a maximally digitised real estate operation if one could start all over again – on a greenfield site?

    Against this background, the first thing to consider was which “jobs” will actually have to be done in the future. It can be assumed that some traditional jobs will continue to exist, some will be eliminated by digitalisation and some will be added. The aim was to identify individual large blocks of tasks that can be understood in themselves.

    It is helpful to divide the jobs into three large categories: Tenant management, commercial property management and technical property management. It has been shown that all essential jobs-to-be-done in real estate operations can be mapped in a 3×6 matrix.

    Building a digital operator on a greenfield site then follows the logic of supporting these individual jobs-to-bedone FIRST with modern software components in such a way that a seamless platform is created in which as many processes as possible are automated. Only THEN is it considered for which activities employees are deployed, who can then achieve all the greater added value for the users of these properties. The goal is therefore not primarily to increase efficiency, but to use the increasingly scarce personnel in management for those activities that really create added value.

    Of course, the potential benefits are not equally large in all process steps and implementation is therefore not equally urgent everywhere. Prioritisation along the dimensions of efficiency and revenue impact, influence on sustainability dimensions, tenant satisfaction and transparency is important. A toolbox that shows the possible tools in all process steps and allows prioritisation according to different functions helps to create an actual roadmap.

    It is equally important to have suitable tools at hand that connect the different systems with each other, for example an integration or orchestration platform like the one from Allthings. The goal is precisely to prevent the separate use of isolated solutions. If you make the right choice of partners capable of integration at an early stage, you establish a networked ecosystem.

    Pragmatic implementation using the example of UBS
    But how do you put this into practice? Once the vision is clear – to establish a maximum digital operator with an integrated platform via various software components – then a step-by-step approach is suitable for implementation. A whole series of real estate owners and service providers have embarked on this path in recent years.
    UBS, one of the largest real estate investors in Switzerland, is also pursuing such approaches in its digital innovation projects in real estate operations.

    UBS has chosen the path of first testing and validating individual jobs-to-be-done via individual new construction projects, which will play an essential role for an integrated platform in the future.

    For example, the processes “finding tenants”, “tenant communication”, “incident processing” and offering additional community services were tested on the Claraturm in Basel.

    On the combined renovation/new construction project Grimselhof in Altstetten, on the other hand, the processes “onboarding”, “contract and data management”, “document management and reporting” and new ways of processing repairs and damages were to be implemented. In this way, the various jobs-to-be-done can be validated over time and combined into an overall platform.

    The design of a plan to build digital operators is usually easy to map out in a series of 3-4 workshops. The process depicted in the diagram shows an ideal-typical sequence of a planning project for establishing a digital operator.

    Previous experience with greenfield approaches shows that a systematic implementation of a digital operator in cooperation with real estate owners and service providers makes the operation of real estate up to 30% more efficient, 100% more tenant-centred, and sustainability-oriented from day 1 – and also eliminates a lot of classic conflicting goals that result from conventional business models.

  • Digital twins bring construction projects to life

    Digital twins bring construction projects to life

    For building projects of municipalities and cities to meet with acceptance among the population, clear communication and tangible visualisations are needed.

    The municipality of Fällanden also wanted to better present the spatial planning of a public area by means of visuals. For some time, those responsible had been planning the renovation of the town hall as well as a new meeting place in the centre that would give public life a little more space in the open air.

    For this purpose, the municipality of Fällanden engaged the planning and architectural firm Suter von Känel Wild AG (SKW), which in turn engaged the Zurich software developer Nomoko to visualise the construction projects in Fällanden.

    5200high-resolution images of Fällanden
    After Nomoko had been instructed by the architecture firm and provided with flight permission and the best possible launch positions for their drones by the municipality, their crew started their rotors at the beginning of June 2022 and flew over an area of almost three square kilometres with the WingtraOne drone, shooting around 5200 high-resolution images from a bird’s eye view.

    With the data, they returned to their offices in Zurich Altstetten, where the 3D designers converted the photos into a so-called digital twin of the municipality. A digital twin is a digitally accessible 3D model of a specific area. SKW also created models of the planned buildings and renovations, and Nomoko implemented them in the digital Fällanden of today.

    Digital twins simulate building projects
    On the deadline date, the community leaders together with SKW presented the centre planning at a public workshop. The participants were mainly residents of the municipality. The high-resolution, photo-realistic 3D model and the possibility of simulating different light irradiations and weather situations in particular met with positive feedback.

    Reusable and digitally accessible
    However, the full value of the digital twin will only be revealed in the future. Whereas in the past a new, physical 3D model had to be built for every single construction project, in future every other project can be illustrated on the same digital twin.

    Working with digital twins has various advantages:

    • Digital twins simplify communication between clients, architects, construction companies and residents, and lead to a uniform perception of the project at an early stage. This facilitates negotiations and speeds up discussions.
    • Compared to physical models, digital twins are reusable and can be adapted as required. They require little memory and take up no storage space.
    • Web-based tools make it possible to access and view digital twins easily on the internet without special skills or programmes.

    Digital twin of Switzerland for the real estate industry
    In addition to customised services for individual construction projects, Nomoko provides a platform that combines a digital twin of the whole of Switzerland with a smart search engine for real estate. This makes it possible, for example, to search cities by address or district, to display properties within the radius of a set point or to filter properties according to project criteria. Details on location, legal status, market performance and development potential are listed for each property.

    Personal details
    Lukas Nussbaumer joined Nomoko AG in 2021 as Sales & Key Account Manager. He is responsible for the expansion of 3D services and the Nomoko platform in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Before joining Nomoko AG, Lukas Nussbaumer was responsible for customer acquisition and the management of various strategic projects at the Emch+Berger Group in the Telecommunications Network Planning department.

  • Artificial intelligence to achieve gas reduction by 15%

    Artificial intelligence to achieve gas reduction by 15%

    Die meisten Energie-Sparmaßnahmen verursachen einen erheblichen Kapitalaufwand – die KI von Arloid kann dagegen kostenlos implementiert werden, bis notwendige Einsparungen erzielt werden. Dies macht die KI-Lösung zu einer der günstigsten und einfachsten Möglichkeiten für EU-Staaten, den Energieverbrauch ohne Vorabkosten erheblich zu senken. Sobald Einsparungen festgestellt werden – dies ist üblicherweise nach 30 Tagen der Fall – kann eine prozentuale Gebühr berechnet werden.

    Eine Reduzierung des Energieverbrauchs lässt sich durch eine Reihe einfacher Schritte erreichen: Zunächst wird ein virtuelles Gebäude erstellt, das zu dem identisch ist, in dem Einsparungen erzielt werden sollen. Der digitale Gebäude-Zwilling verfügt dabei über gleiche Baumaterialien, Lage, Klima und Personal-Eigenschaften. Die KI erstellt daraufhin eine Reihe von Simulationen auf Grundlage der Live-Daten des realen Gebäudes. Der komplette Vorgang benötigt rund einen Monat.

    Die KI reguliert daraufhin selbstständig und kontinuierlich die Heiz-, Lüftungs- sowie Kühleinstellungen und führt so zu direkten, realen Einsparungen. Bisher wurden dafür notwendige Einstellungen von Gebäudetechnikern oder Hausverwaltern vorgenommen, was im Vergleich deutlich mehr Zeitaufwand erfordert. Die Automatisierung durch KI spart damit nicht nur Energie und Geld ein, sondern verbessert zugleich auch die Steuerung und den Bedienkomfort.

    Die KI von Arloid nutzt Deep Reinforcement Learning, um den Betrieb von HLK-Systemen in einer Vielzahl von Gebäuden über ein sicheres Virtual Private Network (VPN) automatisch zu verwalten. Die von der KI ausgeführten Regulierungen basieren dabei auf der Grundlage von Verstärkungsverhalten und Echtzeitdaten, um eine schnellere Optimierung und bessere HLK-Leistung zu erreichen. Durch die Steuerung jedes HLK-Geräts im System und die Aufteilung des Gebäudes in Heiz- und Kühlmikrozonen stellt arloid.ai mehr Kontrolle über die Umgebung und besseren Benutzerkomfort bereit.

    Die Technologie gewinnt nicht nur in Europa, sondern weltweit an Bedeutung, mithilfe der sich direkte Einsparungen auf schätzungsweise über 56 Mio. qm2 Fläche erzielt lassen. Dazu zählen Immobilien und Geschäftsgebäude wie u.a. Einzelhandel, Hotels, medizinische Zentren bis hin zu Lagerhäusern. Durch die Reduzierung des Gebäude-Energieverbrauchs kann so unmittelbar den Auswirkungen von Energieversorgungsproblemen, höheren Preisen und Inflation entgegengewirkt werden.

    KI sollte deshalb EU-weit weit oben auf der politischen Agenda stehen, um die Mitgliedsstaaten dabei zu unterstützen, ihre freiwilligen Gasreduktionsziele von 15 % zu erreichen. Es ist nicht so schwer zu erreichen, wie es zunächst erscheint, weil neue Technologien mit sehr wenig Aufwand eine wichtige Rolle dabei übernehmen können. In jeden Fall ist es ein offensichtlicher und erreichbarer erster Schritt in Richtung EU-Ziele und bietet jenen Ländern eine bessere Option an, die gedimmtes Licht und kürzeres Duschen empfehlen.

    Weitere Information unter: arloid.com

  • Common cause with intelligent mandate access solution

    Common cause with intelligent mandate access solution

    In practice, a change of property management involves a number of pitfalls when it comes to handing over the extensive dossiers. Especially when the new administration works with digital dossiers, this involves a great deal of manual effort. Because the documents available in paper form or as PDFs have to be transferred from the old administration to the company's own filing structure. Digitally available documents are often even printed out and scanned in again in order to then be sorted, reorganized and re-cataloged. The mandate access solution, which was developed jointly, covers the entire process from any scanning to the automatic classification and keywording of the documents to the targeted transfer to the digital archive.

    Artificial intelligence as a core component
    At its core, the mandate access solution consists of a logic based on artificial intelligence, which was trained in advance for the property-specific documents and the administration's own filing structure. With the mandate access solution, each mandate access is now smoothly and quickly transferred to the designated target system. Due to the high degree of automation, a cumbersome and tedious process can now be implemented very leanly and largely automated. The work preparation for the scanning can be reduced to a minimum, which leads to valuable time savings.

    «With the new mandate access process, we have solved a fundamental problem in management together. It doesn't matter whether the documents are handed over in physical or digital form, we now have a simple and smart solution for transferring all documents to the audit-proof archive in the form we want, automatically and with practically no manual effort," explains Martin Frei, Chief Digital Officer at VERIT Immobilien AG.

    Significant added value for the industry
    Since digital access to mandates is a major problem throughout the industry and there is still no automated end-to-end solution on the market, the two companies are also launching digital access to mandates for third parties, which makes the established mandate access solution available to all other industry participants as a service puts. The industry can thus benefit from the preparatory work that has been done and manage its own mandate access – whether analogue, digital or hybrid – with the same solution in the future. This is added value for the entire industry and closes a gap that is currently still wide open and is becoming more and more relevant the more administrations also keep digital dossiers.

    Stefan Röösli, Account Manager Real Estate at Arcplace: «In this project, together we were able to combine advanced technologies into an overall solution. The AI technologies are not only used as buzzwords, but also concretely and as a central component for an everyday process. We are convinced that this solution can make life easier for the real estate industry.»

  • Houzy doubles the number of users

    Houzy doubles the number of users

    Houzy is growing rapidly. Recently the 100’000. Apartment owners are registered on the platform of the same name from the young PropTech company from Zurich, writes Houzy in a statement . Just a year ago, the start-up founded in 2017 reported that its users had increased to 50,000. The number of houses and apartments digitally recorded on the platform increased from 70,000 to 144,000 in the same period.

    Data is intelligently linked on the Houzy platform and recommendations for homeowners are derived from it. For example, it can be calculated there when the heating system should be renovated and how much money should be put aside for it. Houzy also offers a real estate appraisal. Free advice is also available to registered users.

    In the past few weeks, the company has revised its platform and integrated new digital tools, explains Houzy. In concrete terms, homeowners can now check the demand for their property, optimize the corresponding sales price and calculate the real estate gains tax for all Swiss cantons. Houzy emphasizes the platform’s new property search function as the most important innovation. All major real estate platforms would be searched here and the advertisements would be supplemented with “valuable additional information”. As examples of such additional information, a neutral market value estimate as well as energy efficiency, energy saving and solar potential and the need for refurbishment of the property are given in the notification.

  • Siemens launches AI-based suite for carbon-neutral buildings

    Siemens launches AI-based suite for carbon-neutral buildings

    Siemens Smart Infrastructure is launching an open, interoperable and fully cloud-based smart building suite, the Zug-based Siemens subsidiary announced in a press release. The various interest groups such as building users, real estate investors, real estate companies and facility managers can digitally combine their building data from different sources on Building X. The smart building suite can integrate third-party software, has a range of applications based on artificial intelligence and has built-in cyber security.

    “We can now bring together all the data generated by systems in intelligent buildings in a single data pool,” Matthias Rebellius is quoted as saying in the statement. According to the board member of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure, this would allow “intelligent buildings to be implemented more quickly”, bringing the “vision of autonomous, climate-neutral buildings” closer. “Building X creates measurable data-based results in terms of efficiency, performance and user experience.”

    An energy manager, an operations manager, a security manager and a 360° viewer are currently available on Building X. The suite can be obtained in the form of software as a service on a subscription basis. In addition, Siemens offers the Xcelerator Building Services, a program based on Building X, in which Siemens assumes responsibility for achieving customer goals. The report mentions the reduction of energy costs and the optimization of systems as examples.

  • Google opens innovation center in Zurich

    Google opens innovation center in Zurich

    Google officially inaugurated its completed Europaallee campus on June 27, according to a media release. Google moved into the first parts of the campus in 2019. The complex, which consists of several buildings, is now complete.

    The Californian IT giant has had a presence in Zurich since 2004. Around 5,000 people from more than 80 nations now work for Google in Switzerland. Some of them are also housed at the second Google location on the Hürlimann site. In 2023, Google intends to move into another 15,000 square meter office building on Müllerstrasse in Zurich. The Zurich branch is already the IT giant’s largest development center outside of the USA.

    Federal President Ignazio Cassis was also present at the opening of the office. “I congratulate you on opening the Innovation Center for two reasons: Firstly, because you do it and you attach such great importance to innovation. And secondly, because you do it in Switzerland,” he says, according to the text of the speech . The fact that Google is investing in Zurich also underscores the fact that the location is developing from a banking metropolis into a digital hub.

    Among other things, Google Switzerland is involved in the development of Internet services such as search, Google Assistant, Google Maps, Gmail and YouTube. Zurich is currently the largest headquarters of the YouTube development team next to the headquarters in San Bruno, California. In addition, Google Maps, for example, was essentially created in Switzerland. Google is also working with partners such as SBB or PubliBike to better map mobility services on Google Maps. By 2030, Google wants to operate all of its services CO2-free. Google itself has been CO2-neutral since 2007.

    “Quality work is done in Zurich and that is the main reason for the sustainable, organic growth of the site. Switzerland in particular has so far offered very good framework conditions,” Google technology chief Urs Hölzle is quoted as saying. Google wants to continue growing in Zurich in the future.

  • Negative effects of the Ukraine war on the real estate industry in Switzerland

    Negative effects of the Ukraine war on the real estate industry in Switzerland

    The Ukraine war has global economic ramifications. How do you feel it in the local real estate market? PriceHubble investigated this question with a survey of real estate professionals from all areas of the real estate industry.

    55 percent of the real estate professionals who took part in the current study "Effects of the Ukraine War on the Real Estate Industry in Switzerland" believe that the Ukraine crisis could have a negative impact on their company over the next twelve months. 31 percent think there will be no impact. In contrast, 14 percent of respondents see a positive development for their business.

    According to those surveyed, the reasons for a change are the increase in construction costs, rising mortgage interest rates and a stagnating or declining buyer's market. As one real estate manager comments: «The increase in material costs and delivery times affects both the construction sites and the purchase prices. As a result, buyers will resort to existing goods and abandon construction projects.”

    In general, more real estate professionals (28 percent) see a decrease in the number of mandates over the next twelve months than an increase (17 percent). More than 55 percent of those surveyed do not expect any change in the number of mandates.

    50 percent of the respondents are of the opinion that projects will not be postponed because of the Ukraine war. 9 percent expect a postponement of up to 6 months, 12 percent a delay of 6 to 12 months, 26 percent of 12 to 18 months, 2 percent a postponement of the projects by 18 to 24 months and another 2 percent even by up to to 24 to 30 months.

    Development of luxury properties difficult to predict
    In the case of luxury real estate, 34 percent of those surveyed stated that they expected prices to rise. In contrast, 31 percent believe that a decline is to be expected. 35 percent are of the opinion that the prices in this segment will not change.

    In the comments column to this question, many of the respondents indicated that they expected a decrease in general interest in objects in this segment. Others are of the opinion that luxury real estate is crisis-resistant and that the strong demand will remain. Many are also convinced that the supply will remain stable.

    "Luxury real estate in Switzerland, especially in exclusive locations, will always tend to find buyers (both domestically and abroad) and it is therefore possible that the prices for them remain the same or may even rise," comments one broker.

    Price development of energy-efficient objects remains exciting
    When it comes to the question of whether a greater price change is to be expected when buying properties with a high energy efficiency class (A or A+), there is a tie: 50 percent say "yes" and 50 percent say "no".

    With regard to the demand for real estate with a high energy efficiency class since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, 68 percent of the real estate experts surveyed stated that they had not noticed any change. "But it will come, people are slowly becoming sensitive to it," a real estate manager commented on this question. 32 percent of those surveyed believe that demand has already increased.

    Regarding rental prices for properties with a high energy efficiency class (A or A+): 69 percent of the participants stated that there will be no changes. In contrast, 31 percent expect a change.

    Further results, for example on the impact of rising mortgage interest rates, the development of rents or sales prices of residential properties can be found in the complete study.

  • The Swiss proptech company Immowise offers its solution in German-speaking Switzerland

    The Swiss proptech company Immowise offers its solution in German-speaking Switzerland

    Condominiums in Switzerland: An industry that only gains from digitization
    Swiss real estate is feeling the direct effects of the turn to digitization, as the most important players in the industry have accelerated the pace of increasing efficiency every year. Switzerland, with its 1.4 million owners* (including more than 445,000** condominiums), ultimately represents an important market for Immowise.

    Immowise's digital solution is easy to implement and adapts to any type of condominium. By connecting to the most important ERPs used in the industry, the platform is fully integrated into the digitization strategy initiated by the agencies. The lean cost management is also suitable for small structures and self-governing condominium associations.

    An office in Zurich serving condominium owners' associations in German-speaking Switzerland
    With the office opening in Zurich, Immowise wants to offer administrations, self-managed condominium associations or independent local administrators a solution to simplify and reduce the workload with a platform that has already proven itself in western Switzerland. By 2022, around 20 general meetings for over 500 condominium owners had already been held. Immowise wants to cover all Swiss regions by 2023. In addition, the platform will be expanded with additional modules such as the internal news service for condominium owners, the comparison of cost estimates and budget management.

    Immowise's development in German-speaking Switzerland is rounded off with the appointment of Teresa Astorina as Director, based in the Zurich region. As a recognized expert in the real estate sector, in which she has been active for over 25 years, she takes over the proptech leadership with the declared goal of converting the management of condominium associations throughout Switzerland using digital technology.

    Sebastian Chiappero, Managing Director of Wise.swiss, Immowise's parent company, adds: "20 months after the founding of Immowise, the appointment of a director marks a further step towards ensuring the nationwide rollout of Immowise. I am very pleased that Teresa will be part of this Position has joined us. Her many years of experience in the real estate industry and her skills in the area of strategy development are all plus points for Immowise". Among other things, she was also active in the management or in leading positions in companies such as Credit Suisse, m3 Real Estate, Privera or EPM.

    Teresa Astorina emphasizes: "The future of the real estate industry lies in digitization. I am very proud to be able to accompany the development of a "Swiss made" solution that offers a real service in the management of condominiums in Switzerland."

    Portrait of Teresa Astorina here for download

    About Immowise
    Immowise was founded in 2021 and is the first Swiss solution for the digitization of condominium meetings. Developed and hosted in Switzerland, this application helps administrators and condominium owners prepare, manage and follow up on meetings. It complements the wise.swiss software from EPwise AG, which was launched in 2020 and offers public administrations and companies a range of digital communication and event organization tools (eventwise, partnerwise and fundwise). https://wise.swiss/de/immowise/
    Immowise headquarters: Neuchâtel
    Offices: Geneva, Zurich

  • Popety.io is expanding into German-speaking Switzerland

    Popety.io is expanding into German-speaking Switzerland

    Popety.io specializes in digital solutions for real estate acquisition. Specifically, the PropTech based in Plan-les-Ouates has developed a digital tool for collecting and processing real estate data. After successfully establishing itself in French-speaking Switzerland, Popety.io now also wants to open up the German-speaking Swiss market. To this end, Popety.io has already set up its first office in Zurich.

    The Vaudoise Insurance Group supports Popety.io in its expansion plans. “Popety.io is revolutionizing the Swiss real estate market with the help of artificial intelligence,” says Stefan Schürmann, Head of Corporate Development and M&A at Vaudoise, in a statement by the insurance company. “We keep a close eye on innovations in the real estate sector and are convinced of the development potential of the young company in the German-speaking Swiss market.”

    Two years ago, Popety.io won first prize at the Real Estate & New Technology Awards, the statement said. “With Vaudoise Insurance, we can develop further and gain credibility,” Popety.io founder Thibault Clément is quoted there as saying. The PropTech also takes part in The Big Handshake . The congress for real estate professionals will take place on June 21st in Schlieren ZH.

  • Miromico manufactures 26,000 climate sensors for Ecco2

    Miromico manufactures 26,000 climate sensors for Ecco2

    Ecco2 is increasing its production volume from over 11,000 in the past two years to 26,000 climate sensors. As a provider of intelligent solutions for buildings, the company based in Givisiez wants to reduce the consumption of heating energy. These sensors are manufactured by the Zurich high-tech company Miromico , which focuses on development services for integrated circuits, electronic systems and the Internet of Things. As stated in amedia release , Miromico has been Ecco2’s “trustworthy hardware manufacturer” for years.

    With the increased production volume, Ecco2 wants to tackle energy savings of up to 4,000,000 square meters of heated space from 2023, according to its Head of Operations, Alain Wagnières. With this production capacity, Ecco2 can fulfill its vision of saving 50,000,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually by next winter.”

    In Switzerland this year, Ecco2 won the Prix d’Innovation in the digital category at the annual event for real estate professionals, Rent Switzerland . The company was also awarded the Swisscom IoT Climate Award 2022 in silver.

  • FHNW strengthens the Institute for Digital Building

    FHNW strengthens the Institute for Digital Building

    The Institute for Digital Building at the FHNW has won Eder Martinez as a professor. According to a press release , the focus of his teaching will be on digital twins and the information lifecycle. “Anyone who wants to build with digital support and needs-oriented in the future must be able to collect, automate, map and process information in a targeted manner,” explains Manfred Huber, head of the institute, explaining the background to the focus.

    Martinez received his master’s and doctorate degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (UCB). Among other things, he worked as a civil engineer and specialist for cooperation processes on construction sites in Chile and Ecuador. He has also supported companies such as Hilti and Implenia in digital construction projects.

    The FHNW only founded the Institute for Digital Building in 2018. According to the university, it has grown significantly since then. With Martinez, the second professorship in the field of information management will be filled this year.

  • MIPIM 2022: Between desire and reality

    MIPIM 2022: Between desire and reality

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    MIPIM 2022 took place from March 15th to 18th – and it was far from the industry euphoria of three years ago under the impression of a conflict almost 2,000 kilometers away. While the Ukraine was at least visually represented with a mostly deserted stand, there was hardly a trace of Russia or Russian cities. Only a few obvious gaps in the trade fair room allocation indicated that there had also been cancellations at short notice.

    Interest rates are rising again…
    The industry buzzwords ESG, impact investing and interest rates were also part of the discussions in many places. From the Federal Reserve Bank in the USA alone, further interest rate hikes are expected this year, which would result in key interest rates of just under two percent at the end of the year. The market assumes that other central banks (UK, EU, CH) will follow suit, albeit with a time lag. For Switzerland, this means that negative interest rates will soon be a thing of the past. In the case of ten-year federal bonds, a value of 0.425 percent was already reached on the Wednesday of the fair (March 16, 2022) – a level that was last recorded at the end of 2014.

    … and what next for decarbonization?
    The topic of sustainable or green investments was also represented in many MIPIM panels and discussions. But even if there are now many options for measuring sustainability as well as certificates and labels: the coming years will challenge the construction and real estate industry on many levels. On the side of the energy sources alone, the change away from fossil fuels to renewable ones has added another dimension with the Ukraine-Russia conflict. It is now time to reassess the oil and gas factors in the real estate industry’s decarbonization efforts. It remains to be seen whether this will ultimately lead to oil and gas heating systems being discarded sooner in this country.

    Farewell to old braids
    Other significant changes are also becoming apparent in the traditional asset classes. The traditional real estate classifications such as residential, office and retail are becoming more diverse. This has already been shown in recent years thanks to online shopping, coworking and coliving. The hospitality forum on the Thursday of the trade fair, for example, showed that there is also something new happening in the hotel industry. Swiss Life Asset Managers announced the new camping investment class there and is even considering launching its own fund product in this area. In general, it can be said that the star classifications are becoming less important for hotel users, with the focus increasingly being on the extraordinary experience, special locations and trips close to nature and the local people.

    Propel Awards for newcomers
    The four winners of the PropTech competition Propel were also chosen this year at the real estate fair in Cannes: From the 20 finalists, centralF (optimization tool for workplaces) in the data category, Apricot (leasing for homebuyers) in the investment category, OakTree Power ( Demand optimization for building energies) in the sustainability category and Parametric Solutions (software solution for project developments) in the user experience category. A Swiss proptech startup was not represented in the global competition.

    Swiss project wins MIPIM competition
    On the evening of the Thursday of the fair, however, there was an award for an outstanding Swiss construction project: the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus received an award in the “Best Cultural and Sports Infrastructure” category. The museum extension designed by the Danish Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) includes a new glass structure that integrates into the landscape by means of two spiral structures. Inside, the museum offers a glimpse into the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux.

    25th anniversary of Swiss exhibition stands
    The two Swiss networks Swiss Circle for German-speaking Switzerland and Horizon Léman for western Switzerland also had something to celebrate this year. The exhibition stand organizers and initiators Roman H. Bolliger and Yves de Coulon were delighted to receive congratulations and two “birthday cakes” from the MIPIM organizer RX on their 25th anniversary. The handover took place after the MIPIM event “Forum Suisse”, where Swiss industry players from Swiss Prime Site, Mobimo, M3 and Wüest Partner discussed the topic of “mobility and its consequences for the real estate industry”. In 2022, more than 50 companies from Switzerland used the two trade fair platforms Swiss Circle and Horizon Léman for international exchange on the Côte d’Azur.

  • Data literacy: a no brainer!

    Data literacy: a no brainer!

    “Data is the new gold” – that’s what we’ve been hearing for years. Against the background of an increasing complexity of issues and requirements, data analysts are being recruited in companies across all industries and corresponding teams are being set up. However, data per se does not lead to any solutions. Rather, it is necessary to derive a strategy from it – this not only requires the intelligent linking of data but also appropriate market knowledge and analysis in a specific context.

    How can market needs be better determined and suitable living space developed and built? Digitization has created many possibilities for the planning and construction of real estate. With the appropriate tools – for example from Luucy, Archilyse or PriceHubble, to name just a few – processes and decisions along the entire value chain can be simplified and accelerated: from the acquisition of suitable plots of land, through development and marketing, to the management of the properties. AI-based technology is being used more and more here.

    The “hard facts” are certainly the basis for data-based evaluations. But developers are also increasingly wanting “soft key figures” to supplement their decisions, for example information on the satisfaction of residents. Ultimately, of course, it is the experience that counts – the best decisions are, as is well known, the ones where the “subjective gut feeling” is right. Because even with the best data, it is always the human who decides in the end.

    You can find more impulses on the subject here: https://proptechmarket.net/impulse

  • Zurich launches platform MeinQuartier.Zuerich for more say

    Zurich launches platform MeinQuartier.Zuerich for more say

    The City of Zurich is launching an online platform to increase networking and involve people in their districts. On MeinQuartier.Zuerich , residents should be able to receive information from and about their districts and get in touch with clubs and community centers as well as neighbors, according to a press release .

    MeinQuartier.Zuerich is based on the open-source software Decidim , which various cities around the world are already using. In this country, Geneva, Lausanne and Lucerne use the open source software. The costs for the construction and operation of MeinQuartier.Zuerich for the city of Zurich amount to around CHF 175,000 by the end of the pilot phase at the end of 2023.

    The district platform is the result of a participatory process between urban development and the districts in 2019. A digital platform for the districts emerged from this “as an important concern of this process,” according to the media release. It includes functions such as publishing information, events and blog entries as well as conducting surveys.

    Four neighborhood associations, the Zurich community centers and other organizations were involved in the development process. “Contact with the population is very important to us. We hope that we can support our work with digital surveys and collections of ideas even better and, above all, more broadly in the district,” Balz Bürgisser, President of the Witikon District Association, is quoted as saying in the media release.

    Clubs and organizations can register using aform on the website and take part in an information event on March 29th.

  • Betterhomes joins SwissPropTech

    Betterhomes joins SwissPropTech

    SwissPropTech has a new member. At the beginning of 2022, Betterhomes joined the innovation network of the Swiss real estate and construction industry, the Zurich-based brokerage firm announced in a statement. As part of its membership, Betterhomes wants to pass on knowledge and promote a planned expansion. So far, Betterhomes has been active with its technology platform for broker and customer software in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

    “We are pursuing the ambitious goal of opening up 30 countries in Europe over the next eight years,” Betterhomes CEO Cyrill Lanz is quoted as saying in the statement. “I don’t count the technology so much as the biggest challenges, but rather the organic growth in sales and the cultural differences in the different countries.” The company is currently preparing a new website and a new learning management system for its technology platform Betternet 3.0 before.

    For SwissPropTech, the entry of Betterhomes is “a strong signal for our industry,” explains Lars Sommerer, Managing Director of SwissPropTech, in the press release. “A digital ‘real estate fair broker’ from the very beginning recognizes the importance of innovation and digitization and now wants to pass on his experience and expertise.”

  • PropTechs in western Switzerland

    PropTechs in western Switzerland

    Prize de l’innovation

    At the beginning of April, RENT Switzerland 2022 will take place at the Swiss Tech Convention Center of the EPFL in Lausanne. proptechnews.ch will be there and will report later on the event. As part of the Prix de l’innovation, the nine companies selected for the final introduce themselves:

    • Digital solutions: ecco2 building intelligence, sparrow, DOMO
    • Solutions construction: auprès de mon arbre, FenX, AETERNUM enabling circular buildings
    • Solutions énergétiques: enerdrape, ExerGo, STEEN sustainable energy

    ePotek is realigning itself

    Let’s stay in western Switzerland, where Prop/FinTech ePotek is realigning itself. The platform is now called Resolve . As CEO Romain Desquesne told my dear friend Mathias Rinka from domblick.eu, Resolve aims to become the reference partner in Switzerland for optimized financial decisions relating to mortgage financing. The name was changed and new services were developed. The aim is to mutate from startup ePotek to scaleup Resolve.

    Stena joins Swiss Immo Lab

    Stena, one of Sweden’s largest family companies with global activities in shipping, ferries, offshore, real estate and finance, has joined Swiss Immo Lab (SIL) as the fifth founding partner through its Swiss subsidiary. Andy Böhm, Managing Director at Stena (Switzerland), became a member of the Board of Directors of SIL, and Per Hellberg, Investment Director at Stena (Switzerland), became a member of the Investment Committee of SIL. Stena Property owns and operates more than 25,700 residential properties and 4,000 commercial premises in Swedish metropolitan areas.

    “With Stena (Switzerland), Swiss Immo Lab has found a fifth founding partner who ideally complements the expertise of the four others and brings an international perspective,” says Alexander Seel, Managing Director of Swiss Immo Lab. “Having established our track record, we are now working on the next step to bring proptech investing to a broader international investor base,” he adds.

    Coop works with hausheld.ch

    Coop Bau + Hobby works together with hausheld.ch . A craftsman service for Coop’s DIY store customers is to be launched together. Herisauer Vermando AG is behind hausheld.ch. The customer buys the products such as floor coverings, paints, plants or lamps from Coop Bau + Hobby and can then have these professionally installed by the craftsmen who have been provided.

    PropTechs in western Switzerland.

    Selected events

    From 18th to 20th March 2022 the Zurich Real Estate Days will open in the Kongresshaus.

    On March 24, 2022, Alpha IC Schweiz AG invites you to the Office Lab in Zurich-Altstetten on the subject of “The Swiss FM market 2022”.

    Anyone who wants to face a large audience will get their money’s worth at the REAL PropTech Pitches 2022 . These will take place digitally and on site on April 6th and 7th, 2022.

    If Germany is too far away for you, you can make a pilgrimage to Lausanne. RENT Switzerland 2022 will take place there from April 6th to 7th. RENT SWITZERLAND 2022 will take place at EPFL’s SwissTech Convention Center , a symbol of innovation.

    Swissbau has been postponed to May 2022. Between May 4th and 6th, startups will present themselves as part of the “Swissbau Challenge”.

    The Big Handshake will take place on June 21, 2022 in the event hall JED in Schlieren.

    On September 13, 2022, The HALL will host the 8th Real Estate Summit in Dübendorf.

  • New apps offer 3D views of Zurich

    New apps offer 3D views of Zurich

    The city of Zurich is making a 3D city model accessible to the general public. According to a media release , two applications have been developed for this. According to the information provided, the Zurich virtual app allows freely selectable views of buildings, trees, forests and bridges. The Zurich 4D app focuses on structural development in space and time. Current building construction projects, design plans and completed architectural competitions should be visualized there. Both apps are freely available to the public, including schools, as open data.

    According to the city, they are primarily aimed at planners and specialists from architecture and engineering. Functions such as measuring the height of buildings or casting shadows will be of professional interest to them. The documentation of real estate is also possible with it.

    As the city of Zurich also reports, the underlying technologies are already being used within the administration for the visualization of noise simulations, in the context of architectural competitions and for the integral presentation of civil engineering and building construction projects.

    As the city of Zurich also reports, the two apps were created as part of the city council’s strategy focus on the digital city. They are part of the so-called digital twin, the digital representation of the city of Zurich.

  • Peach Property posts record pre-tax profit

    Peach Property posts record pre-tax profit

    According to a statement from Peach Property , the Zurich-based real estate company, which specializes in real estate in Germany, posted a pre-tax profit of CHF 258 million in the 2021 financial year. This is the highest pre-tax profit in the company’s history, writes Peach Property. CHF 153 million was realized in the 2020 financial year.

    The value of Peach Property’s real estate portfolio increased year-on-year from CHF 2.1 billion to over CHF 2.6 billion. Rental income increased from CHF 54.7 million in 2020 to around CHF 108 million. With the help of a mandatory convertible bond issued in the year under review, the debt ratio was reduced from 57.8 to around 52 percent.

    In the financial year, Peach Property was also able to improve all external ratings, the press release explains further. Moody’s currently rates the company at Ba2 with a stable outlook, while FitchRatings gave it a BB with a stable outlook. S&P Global Ratings rates Peach Property at BB- with a stable outlook.

    “Our strategy and our business model have also proven to be outstanding in the 2021 financial year and we were able to close another year with very profitable growth,” Thomas Wolfensberger is quoted as saying in the press release. According to the CEO of Peach Property Group AG, the current financial year will primarily focus on “modernizing the residential portfolio and expanding sustainability activities”. Peach Property intends to invest around CHF 70 million in this.

  • Construction and real estate projects: models of cooperation at a glance

    Construction and real estate projects: models of cooperation at a glance

    In the case of complex and challenging construction and real estate projects, partner companies can provide valuable support – be it by taking on the coordination and overall responsibility for the project or by accompanying individual project phases.

    The providers of such services can be roughly divided into the categories: overall provider, total contractor and general contractor. But which model of cooperation is the right one for which project? The information brochure "With the right cooperation model for successful project implementation" aims to help clarify this question. It provides an overview of the three models, shows which model is best suited for what, and lists important points when working together. The information brochure was prepared by the Swiss Development Industry Association. He represents companies that offer overall services in the development, planning and realization of construction and real estate projects. «We are convinced that a project with a common goal and shared responsibility can be implemented more successfully. That's why we want to show the possibilities and services of the existing cooperation models and draw attention to their potential," says Managing Director Franziska Bürki.

    The three cooperation models at a glance:
    Overall providers take over the development, planning and realization of construction and real estate projects. With interdisciplinary teams, they work on tasks throughout the process through to execution or operation. The service can have different characteristics and include, for example, usage planning, design competitions, preliminary studies and the legally prescribed approval procedures. Because a full service provider is involved early on, the potential for innovation and optimization is high. Opportunities and risks can be better identified, defined and controlled at an early stage and together. The client has the guarantee that his project will be developed, planned and implemented from a single source.

    Total contractors take on the planning and implementation of construction and real estate projects. Within a given framework, the client leaves the responsibility for the planning and implementation to the total contractor, with more or less narrow specifications. Total contractors take over a construction project either from the project planning or at least from the implementation planning. The responsibility for the tasks up to handover (including pre-existing planning) remains with the client. The potential for innovation and optimization in this model of cooperation depends heavily on how much planning and design freedom the client gives the general contractor. General contractors take on the realization of ready-to-execute construction and real estate projects. The aim is to realize a building. They assume responsibility for the turnkey realization of a construction project, their influence is essentially limited to the optimized construction process. Within this area they are responsible for quality, deadline and price. The overall and planning responsibility remains with the client. Cooperation with a general company is particularly suitable for professionally managed projects with a specifically formulated order for the general contractor.

    The content of contracts with a partner company can vary. It depends on the client's wishes, on the choice of cooperation model, but also on when the cooperation begins. "The partner company can take on more responsibility the earlier and more integrated the client involves them in the cooperation," says Franziska Bürki.

    Development Switzerland is convinced: If you want to successfully implement a project, you have to take a holistic view of it, involve all stakeholder groups and decide on the right cooperation model at an early stage and adapt it to the specific project situation.

    Franziska Burki,
    Managing Director Development Switzerland
  • University of Applied Sciences on the way to the future

    University of Applied Sciences on the way to the future

    Die Fachhochschule Graubünden (FHGR) – die achte öffentlich-rechtliche Fachhochschule der Schweiz – ist heute auf fünf Standorte in neun Gebäuden innerhalb der Stadt Chur verteilt. Die Anzahl Studierender sowie das Forschungsvolumen der FHGR nehmen weiterhin zu. Die bestehenden Standorte bieten zu wenig Räumlichkeiten und Ausbaumöglichkeiten, um die Hochschule in Zukunft optimal aufzustellen. Bislang fehlt beispielsweise der Raum für den Austausch zwischen den Disziplinen sowie für die informelle Kommunikation zwischen den Studierenden und den Dozierenden. Darüber hinaus sind derzeit zu wenige studentische Arbeitsplätze vorhanden, die den heutigen Anforderungen genügen. Durch die Verteilung der Gebäude über die Stadt fehlt der Hochschule zudem die architektonische Visibilität.

    Aus diesen Gründen hat der Kanton Graubünden entschieden, das Fachholschulzentrum am Standort Pulvermühle neu zu erstellen. Hier befindet sich seit 1993 der Hauptsitz der FHGR. Der Neubau soll ein zusammenhängendes Bildungs- und Forschungszentrum ermöglichen, das von der Diversität und interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit aller Organisationseinheiten lebt. Die Projektleitung wurde dem Hochbauamt Graubünden übertragen. In einem Wettbewerbsverfahren wurde aus den 57 eingegangenen Bewerbungen ein Generalplanerteam selektioniert, welches die Vorgaben und Ziele der Regierung bezüglich Funktionalität, Ortsbau und Architektur überzeugend umsetzt und die Realisierung in der geforderten Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit sowie unter Einhaltung der Kosten- und Terminvorgaben garantieren kann.

    Das Siegerprojekt überzeugt mit Nachhaltigkeit und Funktionalität
    Die Entscheidung fiel auf das Team rund um das Projekt «Partenaris». Den Lead übernimmt dabei das Zürcher Architekturbüro Giuliani Hönger Architekten. Überzeugt hat das Projekt die Jury durch die gleichmässige Berücksichtigung der Kriterien Architektur, Tragwerk, Nachhaltigkeit und Funktionalität. «Partenaris» sieht eine städtebauliche Positionierung des Neubaus vor – unter Einbezug der bestehenden Gebäude und durch die sorgfältige Gestaltung eines parkähnlichen Aussenraums. So wird ein attraktives Hochschulareal geschaffen. Die Planung berücksichtigt ausserdem die gewünschte Nutzungsflexibilität.

    Die erste Etappe sieht einen viergeschossigen U-förmigen Baukörper mit einer zentralen, rund 1200 Quadratmeter umfassenden Eingangshalle vor. Dabei öffnen sich die drei Gebäudeflügel nach Süden zur Pulvermühlestrasse hin und interagieren mit den bestehenden Gebäuden. Der Neubau wird als Hybrid-Skelettbau ausgeführt.

    Mittels Passerelle wird es mit dem Neubau verbunden. Die Obergeschosse sind für Nutzungen der Institute und Departemente vorgesehen, wobei der Öffentlichkeitsgrad und damit die Publikumsintensität mit jedem Stockwerk abnimmt. Das Raumprogramm wird mit vergleichsweise wenig Geschossfläche flächeneffizient umgesetzt. Dank der strukturierten Bauweise und ressourcenschonenden Materialisierung können die Werte bei der Grauen Energie auf einem guten Niveau gehalten werden. Im Westen entsteht zudem eine neue Terrasse. In der zweiten Etappe wird das bestehende Gebäude P57 in Richtung Westen erweitert.

    Aus Sicht des Kantons Graubünden ist die Realisierung des Fachhochschulzentrums hinsichtlich Bildung, Forschung und auch innovationspolitisch von grosser Wichtigkeit. Denn der Mangel an Fachkräften, insbesondere in den technisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Disziplinen, hat Auswirkungen auf die Bündner Unternehmen: Diesen fehlen das nötige Wachstum und die gewünschte Entwicklung. Die neue Fachhochschule soll junge Leute ausbilden, fördern und damit die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Bündner Volkswirtschaft stärken.

    Das Siegerprojekt wird in einem nächsten Schritt planerisch weiterbearbeitet. Danach muss es vom Grossen Rat genehmigt werden. Erhält «Partenaris» grünes Licht, soll Ende 2024 mit den Bauarbeiten begonnen werden. Im Jahr 2028 soll der Neubau bezugsbereit sein. Der Studienbetrieb läuft während den Umbauarbeiten weiter wie gewohnt.

    Die Visualisierung zeigt den zukünftigen Campusplatz.
    So soll das Foyer des Neubaus dereinst aussehen.
  • Holcim und Eni wollen CO2 in Zement speichern

    Holcim und Eni wollen CO2 in Zement speichern

    Der Zuger Baustoffspezialist Holcim spannt mit dem in Rom ansässigen Energieunternehmen Eni zusammen. Gemeinsam wollen sie untersuchen, wie sich Kohlenstoffdioxid (CO2) abscheiden, in dem Mineral Olivin speichern und anschliessend in Zement einbauen lässt, heisst es in einer Medienmitteilung. Damit will Holcim den ökologischen Fussabdruck seines Betriebes weltweit verringern und sein Angebot an nachhaltigem Zement erweitern.

    Eni verfügt über Wissen, wie sich CO2 abscheiden und mineralisieren lässt, um es in Olivin zu speichern. Im Innovationszentrum von Holcim wollen Forschende „die Verwendung dieses karbonisierten Olivins als neuen emissionsarmen Rohstoff für die Formulierung eines grünen Zements untersuchen“, heisst es in der Medienmitteilung. Das Forschungsteam von Holcim will sich dabei auf die Charakterisierung der mechanischen Eigenschaften von karbonisiertem Olivin in der Betonproduktion konzentrieren.

    Olivin ist ein auf der Erde weit verbreitetes Mineral. Dies in Kombination mit den weltweiten Aktivitäten von Holcim und Eni würde diese Lösung „in hohem Masse skalierbar machen“ und so Materialien für umweltfreundliches Bauen weltweit ermöglichen.

    Die Partnerschaft mit Eni ist eines von weltweit 30 Projekten von Holcim, die sich mit Lösungen zur Abscheidung, Nutzung und Speicherung von Kohlenstoffdioxid beschäftigen.

  • Holcim is looking for ideas for sustainable construction

    Holcim is looking for ideas for sustainable construction

    On February 1, Holcim started the application period for the third edition of its Startup Accelerator Program . Start-ups from all over the world are invited to apply and accelerate sustainable construction with their innovative solutions. The six-month program runs from May to November 2022.

    "The Holcim Accelerator Program enables us to connect with the brightest minds in the world to drive disruptive breakthroughs," Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch said in a press release . "I invite this year's startups to think outside the box in all dimensions of construction, from circular construction to intelligent building design."

    As in previous years, the specialty chemicals company Sika is a partner in the acceleration program. New partners for this year's edition include French company Bouygues Construction and British engineering consultants Mott MacDonald .

    Swiss explorer and environmentalist Bertrand Piccard, founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation , contributes a call to action: “The construction industry has a key role to play in accelerating our world's transition to net zero. Holcim's Accelerator is a unique incubator for start-ups around the world to innovate for our planet.”