immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Architekturpreis

  • Award for sustainable hospital construction

    Award for sustainable hospital construction

    Baden Cantonal Hospital(KSB) has been honored at the World Architecture Festival in Miami, Florida. The architecture of the new KSB building won a prize in the Health category, according to a press release. The World Architecture Festival was held from November 12 to 14.

    At the event at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 160 international jurors voted on 460 projects. The hospital building realized by Nickl & Partner Architekten Schweiz and other planning partners was recognized for its clear design language, sustainable construction and consistent focus on a healing environment for patients, according to the press release. “This award is an impressive confirmation of our vision: to build a hospital that combines medical excellence and efficient operation with state-of-the-art architecture,” said Pascal Cotrotzo, CEO of KSB. “We are proud that our new building in Miami has received international recognition. Our thanks go to everyone who made this major project possible.”

    KSB already received the European Healthcare Design Award in London in June 2025. In order to show off the entire new building to its full advantage, a green space will be built on the site of the old hospital to connect it to the city. The KSB refers to a complaint by the Aargau Heritage Society against the demolition of the old building and a petition with 7,000 signatures against this complaint.

  • Strong wood presence at the ‘Swiss Arc Award’ 2025

    Strong wood presence at the ‘Swiss Arc Award’ 2025

    On October 30, the jury honored the best buildings of the year from over 400 submissions. The award, presented at Trafo Baden in front of over 500 guests from architecture and the construction industry, underlines the creative diversity and technical maturity of Swiss planning culture. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Kaschka Knapkiewicz and Axel Fickert, whose work has had a decisive influence on local architecture for decades.

    Sustainability and functionality
    The Hortus office building in Allschwil by Herzog & de Meuron won in the “Work, Production & Infrastructure” category thanks to its systematic climate protection and material intelligence. The new University Children’s Hospital Zurich, the winning project in the “Education & Health” category, was also designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Its horizontal structure creates bright, open pathways and a new typology of hospital building that combines functionality with humanity.

    Wood as a design leitmotif
    The Guggach residential and commercial development in Zurich by Donet Schäfer Reimer Architekten won in the “Residential” category. Climate-optimized concrete and timber construction elements demonstrate how sustainable building materials can interact constructively and aesthetically. Andreas Fuhrimann and Gabrielle Hächler were awarded the first prize for interior design for their sensitive conversion of a terraced house in Gockhausen. Wood permeates surfaces, furniture and construction as a connecting element and emotional carrier of spatial quality.

    Audience award for multi-purpose building in Lavaux
    The multi-purpose building in Forel by Samir Alaoui Architectes won the audience award. The stacking of industrial and residential use creates an architectural unit with a high degree of spatial intelligence. Here too, the timber construction underlines the fact that sustainable construction and architectural expressiveness are not mutually exclusive.

    The Swiss Arc Award 2025 confirms that wood is not just a building material, but an expression of a new culture of responsibility in the Swiss construction industry.

  • City of Zurich honors best construction projects 2025

    City of Zurich honors best construction projects 2025

    The award-winning projects, which were realized between 2021 and 2024, contribute to the identity and quality of life of the city of Zurich with their architectural quality, responsible use of resources and strong social connection. From Friday, October 3, to November 9, 2025, the award-winning buildings will be on display in the themed exhibition at the Zentrum Architektur Zürich.

    One hundred projects, ten awards
    “The quality and diversity of the hundred or so projects submitted was impressive,” explained Mayor Corine Mauch. The works submitted create lively urban spaces with a high quality of stay, promote social interaction and shape the identity of the neighborhoods. An interdisciplinary jury of experts chaired by City Councillor André Odermatt selected the ten outstanding buildings from this broad spectrum.

    Socio-spatial and ecological responsibility
    The assessment went beyond pure architecture. Socio-spatial aspects such as inclusion, meeting opportunities and the responsible use of natural resources were also included in the decision-making process. “What all these projects have in common is that they take responsibility for people, nature and the identity of the city. They shape how we perceive Zurich and create lasting memories,” says André Odermatt.

    Open space as the key to urban quality of life
    City Councillor Simone Brander particularly emphasized the importance of even small and inconspicuous open spaces: “These in-between spaces significantly determine how a city and its districts function and how we experience them.”

    Audience award goes to the new building of the University Children’s Hospital
    The audience award was determined by an online vote and went to the new building project of the University Children’s Hospital Zurich with around 300 votes. With its modern wood and concrete architecture, the building creates a warm atmosphere and sets new architectural and functional standards in healthcare construction.

    Award-winning projects
    Office and commercial building Binzstrasse
    Client: Swiss Life Asset Management AG
    Architecture: EM2N Architekten AG
    Landscape architecture: Balliana Schubert Landschaftsarchitekten AG

    Complete refurbishment of the “Im Birkenhof” housing estate
    Client: City of Zurich
    Architecture: Romero Schaefle Partner Architekten AG
    Landscape architecture: Westpol Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH

    Complete refurbishment of Zurich main station south wing
    Client: SBB AG, Immobilien Development
    Architecture: Aebi & Vincent Architekten SIA AG

    Complete renovation of Building Q, Werkstadt Areal
    Client: SBB Immobilien AG
    Architecture: Baubüro in situ ag
    Transformation of use: denkstatt sàrl

    House in the garden
    Client: Irma Peter
    Architecture: Loeliger Strub Architecture
    Landscape architecture: Permatur

    High-rise ensemble WolkenWerk and Messeturm
    Client: Leutschenbach AG, Nyffenegger Immobilien AG
    Architecture: Staufer & Hasler Architekten AG, von Ballmoos Partner Architekten AG
    Landscape architecture: Mavo GmbH

    Kongresshaus and Tonhalle Zurich – renovation
    Client: Kongresshaus-Stiftung Zürich
    Architecture: ARGE Boesch Diener
    Landscape architecture: Vogt Landschaftsarchitekten AG

    New University Children’s Hospital Zurich (Audience Award)
    Client: Children’s Hospital Zurich – Eleonorenstiftung
    Architecture: Herzog & de Meuron
    Landscape architecture: August Margrith Künzel Landschaftsarchitekten AG

    Provisional sports buildings
    Client: Canton of Zurich, Department of Structural Engineering
    Architecture: pool architects
    Landscape architecture: Balliana Schubert Landschaftsarchitekten AG

    Allmend school complex
    Client: City of Zurich
    Architecture: Studio Burkhardt – Studio for Architecture ETH SIA
    Landscape architecture: Ganz Landscape Architects

    Temporary sports buildings and school buildings were also recognized for their use of wood and sustainable design.

    Exhibition and podium
    The exhibition at ZAZ Bellerive offers the opportunity to get to know all the award-winning building projects in detail. On November 5, 2025, there will also be a panel discussion on the topic of “Weiterbauen: Strategies for the existing building stock”. Leading experts from the fields of architecture, planning and real estate development will discuss perspectives for urban redensification and the sustainable use of existing buildings.

    A prize with tradition and a sense of the future
    The City of Zurich’s award for good buildings is only presented every five years and is the city’s most prestigious architecture prize. By consciously taking sustainable and social criteria into account, it promotes a building culture that not only shapes Zurich today, but also makes it worth living in for future generations.

  • Award for sustainable new hospital building

    Award for sustainable new hospital building

    Baden Cantonal Hospital has won the prize for facilities over 25,000 square metres at the European Healthcare Design Awards 2025. It was presented at the 11th European Healthcare Design Congress in London. This annual award recognises outstanding buildings in the healthcare sector.

    According to KSB, “following a highly competitive selection process”, the jury particularly praised the integrative approach of the design: “a hospital that focusses equally on functional efficiency, quality of stay, architectural identity and the well-being of patients and staff”. The jury, organised by Salus Naturarzneimittel and Architects for Health, was made up of representatives from Australia, the UK and the USA. In their announcement of the winners, the organisers emphasise that the Swiss project “raises sustainability and healing architecture to a new level”.

    The new building, also known as the Agnes Hospital, was commissioned by Baden Cantonal Hospital and planned by Nickl & Partner Architekten, Ghisleni Partner and Amstein Walthert Zurich. Its name goes back to Queen Agnes of Hungary from the House of Habsburg, who donated a hospital to the town of Baden in 1349, which has been adapted to medical developments ever since.

    “We are proud to have created an infrastructure on our healthcare campus that also inspires internationally,” says the KSB. “A reason to celebrate for the entire KSB – and for the canton of Aargau!”

  • Aerogel Architecture Award 2024 honors innovative projects

    Aerogel Architecture Award 2024 honors innovative projects

    This year’s “Aerogel Architecture Award” was looking for projects that demonstrate the potential of the high-performance insulating material aerogel in architecture and construction. The “Stringi-Stringi” renovation project from Livorno, Italy, came out on top in the “Realized Projects” category. The project, supervised by the architecture firm SB Ingegneria, optimized a poorly insulated building from 1939 by implementing five decisive measures: Roof insulation, façade renovation, conversion of the heating system to a heat pump, installation of a photovoltaic system and replacement of the windows with aerogel seals. The flexible use of aerogel made it possible to upgrade the energy efficiency of the façade without altering the historic appearance.

    Innovative renovation concepts
    Second place went to the Eversbuschstrasse kindergarten in Munich, whose 120-year-old building was converted into an integrated kindergarten using simple means and aerogel materials. The project focused on the reuse of existing structures and materials, with aerogel offering maximum thermal insulation and design freedom. Third place went to the Andreas Schubert building at the Technical University of Dresden. The listed building was fitted with 50 mm thick aerogel insulation and optimized for energy efficiency while retaining its characteristic façade.

    Visionary student projects
    In the “Student Projects” category, the Brazilian duo Amanda Sayuri Hashimoto and Guilherme Pinheiro e Silva won with their “Tassi Museum” project. They are planning to renovate the “Hotel Tassi” in Curitiba, which was damaged by fire, and turn it into a museum. Aerogel insulation on the façade and a roofing of the inner courtyard made of aerogel layers within glass panes improve energy efficiency without affecting the historical substance.

    Creative approaches to social architecture
    Patricia Malota from Poland took second place with her design for an urban mental health center in Krakow. Her concept uses translucent aerogel façades to create a bright, inviting atmosphere. Third place went to Michael Chang and Adrian Corbey from Harvard University with their “Aeroblock” project. They proposed a contemporary insulation for the glass façade of the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts without compromising the iconic look of the building.

    Further information on all submitted projects is available on the Empa website.

  • Dietiker Kindergarten receives architecture award

    Dietiker Kindergarten receives architecture award

    The Steinmürli kindergarten, which received the “best architects 21” award, was built in 2019 as a modern wooden element construction. According to a media release from the City of Dietikon, it was designed by the Schmid Ziörjen Architects in Zurich. The jury's description of the award-winning building states that the Steinmürli school complex is a cluster of orthogonally arranged school and gym buildings. The new kindergarten, placed at right angles to the existing buildings, would naturally be integrated into the overall complex. This would reorganize the open spaces and create a well-sunlit and spacious outdoor play area between the existing kindergarten and the new building.

    The jury that awarded the award consists of the architects Professor Johannes Modersohn from Berlin, Yves Moreau from Paris and Patrick Schmid from Zurich.

    The best architects award was launched in 2006 in order, according to information on its website, to filter out the best and most interesting of the German-speaking architecture scene and to show it to the public. In 2015 the prize was opened to participants from all over Europe.