immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Bau

  • Sika wants to grow in Africa

    Sika wants to grow in Africa

    Sika is positioning itself for further dynamic growth in Tanzania and the Republic of Ivory Coast. The company has moved into a new location in the East African economic center of Dar es Salaam. There, the Zug-based company now also produces mortar and tile adhesive in addition to concrete additives. This shortens the transport routes, according to a press release from the company.

    In the Republic of Ivory Coast in the west of the continent, Sika has doubled the size of its factory premises. With new areas for storage, offices and laboratories in Abidjan, Sika can double the production capacities for tile adhesive and repair mortar in the medium term and expand storage capacities. The neighboring countries of Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Mali and Sierra Leone will also be supplied from there.

    Sika is committed to “sustainable business activities in Africa” in the long term, Regional Manager EMEA, Ivo Schädler, is quoted as saying. “At both locations, we produce high-quality solutions that are used for large infrastructure projects.” As examples, he cites the metro project and the expansion of the seaport in Abidjan, the Standard Gauge Railway and the Julius Nyerere hydroelectric power station in Tanzania.

  • HSG inaugurates the Square learning center

    HSG inaugurates the Square learning center

    On Sunday, February 13, the HSG inaugurates its new learning center. Square represents a “prototype of the university of the future” and should serve as a “place for surprising encounters and mutual inspiration”, writes the HSG in a statement . “The new learning and teaching formats that are being developed in Square are intended to inspire the entire university and prepare our students as best as possible for practice,” HSG Rector Bernhard Ehrenzeller is quoted as saying.

    Square’s work is based on three pillars that faculty, alumni and students have developed together. On the one hand, the learning center is intended to serve as an experimental field for new formats which, if successful, can be implemented at the HSG and other universities. For the spring semester beginning on February 21, 80 existing courses were selected to be carried out and evaluated in the square.

    On the other hand, Square will take on the role of a base camp for an exchange between students, alumni and researchers. The HSG has planned to include personalities from various professions and social groups. Paul Achleitner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Deutsche Bank, Gabriele Fischer, Editor-in-Chief and publisher of the German business magazine “Brand eins”, and Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr, among others, have confirmed for the spring semester.

    Last but not least, Square should also serve as a public space for a critical discourse by and with those who are not directly connected to the HSG. In order to attract residents of St.Gallen and guests from near and far, Square wants to present itself as a marketplace with an open atmosphere. Music, barista coffee and beer brewed especially for Square are also offered.

  • Empa shows the advantages of high-performance insulating materials

    Empa shows the advantages of high-performance insulating materials

    Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research ( Empa ) have investigated when an investment in costly high-performance insulating materials such as aerogels can be worthwhile for builders. According to a media release , the 25 most expensive cities in Europe, North America and Asia were initially compared. The research team found out that the lucrative area gain through the more expensive aerogels at a square meter price of more than 8000 francs exceeds the additional costs of the thinner insulation variant.

    The reason given is that high-performance insulation achieves the same insulating effect as conventional mineral wool, but only requires half to a quarter of the material used. Against the background of rising real estate prices and dense construction in cities, high-performance insulating materials such as aerogels could promote economical construction. Because the thinner the outer shell of a building, the more space is available inside.

    The economic advantages calculated using an equation could have been shown in the 15 most expensive cities – including the four Swiss cities of Zurich, Geneva, Lugano and Basel with the highest prices per square meter in Europe. Amortization was determined in the 14 most expensive cities in North America and in the ten most expensive cities in Asia. The knowledge could also support future planners when deciding on the appropriate insulation material.

  • Heart Neuro Center Lake Constance is inaugurated

    Heart Neuro Center Lake Constance is inaugurated

    On February 7th, the key handover ceremony for the new Heart Neuro Center Lake Constance on the Münsterlingen hospital campus took place. A department for neurological early rehabilitation from the Rehabilitation Clinic Zihlschlacht will also start work there in March.

    The move of the patients from Kreuzlingen TG had taken place two weeks earlier without any problems, according to a media release . The Heart Neuro Center in Münsterlingen has been in regular operation since January 24th. Since then, 50 interventions have already been carried out.

    Government Councilor Urs Martin and Mayor René Walther delivered greetings. As a sign of their “lived partnership”, the flags of the two sponsors and the canton of Thurgau were hoisted.

    The CEO and owner of the real estate service provider HRS Real Estate in Frauenfeld, Martin Kull, handed over the symbolic key to the two operators. HRS “entered the demanding construction project” at the end of 2021, “after the new clinic building threatened to fail due to massive construction delays”. According to the information provided, Professor Dierk Maass, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the client, confirmed to the HRS team that they had “achieved a great deal in an enormous race to catch up” during the final sprint.

  • Paperi's first "2000-watt area" in the canton of Zug

    Paperi's first "2000-watt area" in the canton of Zug

    The paper mill shaped the community of Cham and the Zug West region for more than 360 years. A new living and working quarter with industrial charm is now being built on the former industrial site. Formative existing buildings are being supplemented with striking new buildings directly on the Lorze and implemented sustainably. The story continues and bridges are built between past and future, between people and nature, between living and working. “Sustainability” has played an important role as an overall topic since the beginning of the site development. As the client, the Cham Group committed itself to the goals of the 2000-watt society early on in the planning process and made the decision to use fossil-free heat supply out of conviction and even before the intention of certification. As the crowning glory of the ongoing sustainability efforts, the Papieri was the first area in the canton of Zug to be awarded the “2000 Watt Area” certificate today. On behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, Daniel Kellenberger thanked the Cham Group for their commitment and perseverance in not only talking about energy and CO 2 targets, but actually implementing them with the “2000 Watt Area” certificate, among other things.

    Zero CO2 emissions
    The Papieri area offers completely new foundations for an energy-efficient, climate-neutral and sustainable society. This makes it a pioneering project throughout Switzerland. Practically from the beginning of the development of the site, the Cham Group decided to completely dispense with fossil fuels for heat generation and to rely fully on the favorable location factors with hydropower, geothermal probe fields and photovoltaics. The highlight of the area is the completely CO 2 -free energy system. The entire energy supply on the site is based on 100% renewable energies. This is achieved by means of geothermal probes and a river water catchment, which each serve a central heating and cooling network via heat pumps. Thanks to a ZEV (association for self-consumption) with the renovated small hydroelectric power plant on the Lorze and large-scale photovoltaic systems of 6,500m2 on the new buildings, around 40% of the total energy required can be generated on site. “Moreover, other aspects of comprehensive sustainability are explored in practically every project, be it through “building recycling”, ie intelligent conversion of the existing building, the use of CO 2 -optimized construction principles such as timber construction, or through intelligent sharing offers in the field of mobility,” explains Lukas Fehr, Head of Development at the Cham Group.

    Lighthouse character for municipality and canton
    So far, only 43 areas in Switzerland have been certified with this label by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy –
    26 of them as a 2000-watt area “in development”. Government Councilor Florian Weber is also pleased that the canton of Zug is playing a role in this. “100 percent for 2000 watts: the Cham Group is opening up a new era of comprehensive and sustainable energy concepts for large-scale developments at the Papieri site,” says the construction director. As Energy City Gold, the municipality of Cham also celebrates the award of the papers as a “2000-watt area”. “The award is a seal of quality for the Cham Group’s site development, an incentive for others and at the same time corresponds to the community’s commitment to climate protection. After all, Cham wants to become climate-neutral internally by 2030; by 2050, “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions should even be achieved for the entire municipality,” explains Drin Alaj, Head of Traffic and Safety for the Cham municipality. And Mayor Georges Helfenstein adds: “We see the developments on the Papieri site as an opportunity and are pleased about this certification and about the new, vibrant and now also certified sustainable quarter”.

    Marketing start of the first office and commercial space
    On February 10, 2022, the rental of the shop, office and commercial space on the ground floors of the properties in the first construction phase, which will be ready for occupancy at the end of 2022, will start on the papieri-cham.ch website. The Papieri area offers space for every business model and company of different sizes. Not interchangeable and arbitrary, but sustainable, well thought out and in the middle of a lively district.

  • Walo installs new flooring at Stadler

    Walo installs new flooring at Stadler

    Walo Bertschinger has provided the Stadler Rail production halls in St. Margrethen with a new floor covering. According to a message on Facebook, an area of 19,000 square meters was covered with the Haypanol-D covering in the production halls for the assembly of trains. The Haypanol-D epoxy coating developed by Walo has been tried and tested in industrial buildings and parks for years. The finally hardened epoxy forms together with the scattered material of the quartz sand a very hard, clean and even surface structure.

    According to a technical explanation on Walo’s special website for floor coverings, the seamless Haypanol-D litter coverings have high mechanical and chemical resistance. The property profile of the industrial floor coverings is adapted to the respective stress class. The anti-slip properties of the covering are coordinated according to the customer’s requirements. In addition, the system can also be designed as an antistatic or electrically conductive covering. The flooring has a longevity of up to 25 years.

    The Stadler site in St.Margrethen in the border triangle is the competence center for double-deck multiple units within the Stadler Group, according to the Stadler Group website. After more than 20 years in Altenrhein, this production was moved to the newly built plant in St.Margrethen in 2020.

  • Kantonsspital Winterthur moves into a new building

    Kantonsspital Winterthur moves into a new building

    After ten years of planning and five years of construction, the new building of the Cantonal Hospital Winterthur (KSW) has been officially opened. According to a press release from the engineering and consulting company HKG , operations should definitely start in the coming week after the moving day on Thursday.

    According to the KSW, the new bed and operation wing will replace the existing high-rise building. After 55 years of operation it will be demolished. According to the KSW , the new building has 61,000 square meters of floor space, 13 floors, 213 rooms, seven operating theaters, 95 treatment rooms and 240 parking spaces. The RA-B architects working group (Rapp Architekten AG and Butscher Architekten AG) created the new KSW building under the direction of the cantonal building authority.

    The new building has a simple design with a lightweight travertine facade. Fully automatic building shading enables a pleasant climate in the rooms despite the large window areas. Like the facade, the KSW also designed the public park in front of the new building together with the Winterthur urban design specialist group.

    According to the announcement, the cantonal hospital invested CHF 350 million in the approximately ten years of planning and construction. CFO Hansjörg Lehmann, who will replace the current CEO Rolf Zehnder as Chairman of the Management Board in May, refers to the special features of the financing. “The KSW was the first hospital in Switzerland to place a green bond on the capital market and at the lowest conditions ever seen,” he is quoted as saying. The successful realization of the new building is “a milestone in the history of KSW”.

    Because a public celebration of the commissioning was not possible due to the pandemic, the KSW has provided videos with a virtual insight into the new building on a special website .

  • Implenia receives five building construction contracts in Germany

    Implenia receives five building construction contracts in Germany

    For Implenia ‘s Buildings Division, the new year begins with an attractive building construction contract worth CHF 227 million in Germany. According to a press release , the Opfikon-based construction and real estate specialist has been awarded the contract to build several sustainable residential and commercial buildings in five German cities.

    According to the announcement, Implenia’s Buildings Division is constructing two residential and commercial buildings in Kiel , a high -rise apartment building for the Franklin site in Mannheim, which according to the announcement is “currently the largest site development project in Germany”, and the partially modular construction of a new rehabilitation center in Mosbach am Neckar Residential district in Neunkirchen am Brand and a school center in Delitzsch near Leipzig.

    The model-based and software-supported working method Building Information Modeling (BIM) is to be used in the planning and execution of the new construction projects. Lean construction should guarantee the coordination of all processes and trades during the construction phase.

  • The Swiss Immo Fair will not take place in 2022

    The Swiss Immo Fair will not take place in 2022

    Die Verantwortlichen haben sich entschieden, die Vorbereitungen für die Immo Messe Schweiz 2022 abzubrechen. Auf Anfrage der Messeleitung hat ein erheblicher Teil der Aussteller die Absage der Messe einer Durchführung mit 2G oder 2G+ oder weiterem Hinausschieben des Durchführungsentscheids vorgezogen. «Dafür haben wir Verständnis und erachten den gemeinsam mit unseren Ausstellern gefällten Entscheid als sinnvoll. Die Immo Messe Schweiz steht für ein kompetentes Angebot von der Planung über den Bau bis zur Sanierung von Immobilien sowie ein inspirierendes wie informatives Messeerlebnis für Aussteller, Besucherinnen und Besucher. Unter den gegebenen Umständen hätten wir das nicht gewährleisten können», erklärt Messeleiterin Olga Pelliccione. Auch sei der Zeitpunkt der Absage richtig gewählt: «Alle Beteiligten haben sich für die Durchführung eingesetzt. Jedoch ist es aufgrund der knappen Vorbereitungszeit nicht mehr möglich, länger auf Klarheit bezüglich Schutzmassnahmen und der Akzeptanz ebendieser beim Messepublikum zu warten».

    Zuversichtlich in den Frühling
    Die Absage der Immo Messe Schweiz folgt jener der Tier&Technik 2022, die Ende Februar hätte stattfinden sollen. «Die aktuellen Entwicklungen und die Prognosen der Expertinnen und Experten stimmen uns zuversichtlich. Wir sind optimistisch, dass der Absage der Immo Messe keine weiteren mehr folgen müssen», erwartet Katrin Meyerhans, Leiterin Bereich Messen der Olma Messen St.Gallen. Die Vorbereitungen für die 44. OFFA Frühlings- und Trendmesse mit der 37. OFFA-Pferdemesse laufen deshalb planmässig weiter. Zahlreiche Aussteller und Partner sind an Bord und ein Grossteil des Programms steht. Die OFFA findet vom 20. bis 24. April 2022 statt.

  • Swiss Prime Site and Superlab are building laboratory space in Schlieren

    Swiss Prime Site and Superlab are building laboratory space in Schlieren

    Swiss Prime Site Immobilien has entered into a partnership with Superlab Suisse . Superlab is a provider of laboratory and research space. According to the press release , Superlab Suisse provides operational and fully equipped research and laboratory space as well as operational services. It already has such a location in Lausanne. Both partners plan to develop locations in Basel and Schlieren with a total area of more than 10,000 square meters. According to Superlab Suisse, the laboratory in Schlieren will have an area of 5,400 square meters.

    The city on the Limmat is home to facilities of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), the University of Zurich (UZH) and research centers of numerous national and international pharmaceutical companies. The demand for laboratory space is correspondingly high, it is said. Swiss Prime Site Immobilien is planning a modern new building project on the JED site in Schlieren. In cooperation with Superlab Suisse, research and laboratory areas for start-ups, spin-offs or established companies are to be created on two floors.

    “Due to the direct proximity to the Wagi area in Schlieren and the technology park in Basel, companies from the life sciences sector can benefit from significant synergy effects of these ecosystems,” says Zhang Xi, CEO of Superlab. In Basel, a state-of-the-art building with laboratory and research areas is to be built by Superlab Suisse at the Stücki Park in the next 18 months.

    For Martin Kaleja, CEO of Swiss Prime Site Immobilien, the modern standard of construction, the flexibility of the space and the guarantee of support and services are key success factors. Kaleja is quoted as saying that Swiss Prime Site Immobilien and Superlab Suisse together had the necessary know-how to ensure the space required for laboratory and research areas.

  • Balgrist builds a teaching and research center

    Balgrist builds a teaching and research center

    The medical location of Zurich is getting a new surgical research and teaching center. The Operation Room X (OR-X) at Balgrist University Hospital has been under construction since January 26. Its commissioning for the test phase is scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.

    According to a press release , the OR-X creates new opportunities for surgical research, development and teaching. According to the clinic, it should offer the opportunity to develop and validate new technologies based on augmented reality, robotics and artificial intelligence more efficiently. In this way, new technologies could be put into clinical use more quickly. In addition, prospective surgeons could learn and gain practical experience in a realistic operating room.

    “Modern surgical innovation and teaching should happen in the most real environment possible, before use on patients,” said Mazda Farshad, medical director and initiator of the OR-X, in a previous statement from the hospital. “That’s why we’re building a simulation operating room, focused on orthopedics, but open to the field of surgery.” The OR-X creates an infrastructure that, according to Balgrist, contributes to “being at the forefront of the development of surgical innovations”. .

  • Empa awards the use of airgel

    Empa awards the use of airgel

    The Airgel Architecture Award enters the second round. Since January 19th and until June 30th, Empa has been accepting examples of the use of aerogel in architecture, construction, renovation and monument preservation, the research institute informs in a press release . Architects, civil engineers and employees in design offices can apply for the prize. Architecture and civil engineering students are also invited to participate.

    The exact conditions of participation can be found in the announcement or on the Airgel Architecture Awards website. “The prize recognizes the best examples of energy efficiency, unconventional solutions, translucent daylight lighting and high-performance building solutions using super-insulating airgel materials,” writes Empa. This year’s winners are to be announced on August 5th in Empa’s NEST building in Dübendorf.

    The Airgel Architecture Award was launched in 2020 by Empa and the industrial partners Fixit , Agitec , Haga AG Naturbaustoffe and Hasit as well as the AdvaPor association. It should help to publicize the possibilities of airgel insulation materials in monument protection and in the renovation of buildings among architects and civil engineers. Five offices applied last year.

  • Groundbreaking for the new community center in Spreitbach has taken place

    Groundbreaking for the new community center in Spreitbach has taken place

    The construction of the new community center in Spreitbach has started with the ground-breaking ceremony. According to a press release by fsp architects from Spreitenbach, the new administration building is designed for a population of 15,000. When the old community center was built in 1964, Spreitenbach still had around 9,000 residents. According to the municipality's website , there are now 12,079, of which 5,986 are Swiss and 6,093 are foreigners.

    Planning for the new parish hall began in 2016. A first draft with a planned cost of more than 18 million Swiss francs was rejected. The new cost plan provides for expenditure of CHF 13 million and was approved in early 2020.

    According to an article in the "Aargauer Zeitung", architects, entrepreneurs and members of the building commission were present at the start of construction, as well as mayor Markus Mötteli (centre) and councilor Roger Mohr (SVP). "For the building commission and the planners involved, this is a big moment and the step from theory to practice," says architect and overall project manager Markus Schärer from fsp Architekten. With the new community center in a central location between the village and the commercial zone, the population will have a center and point of identification, according to the statement by fsp architects.

    According to the planning, the new community center should be ready in June 2023. It will also have an underground garage as well as a parking lot. A photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof to supply energy. The old parish hall may later be converted into a school building.

  • Canton of Lucerne increases funding for energy

    Canton of Lucerne increases funding for energy

    The canton of Lucerne is increasing its contribution to the Energy 2022 funding program by CHF 3.5 million compared to the previous year to CHF 5.5 million. Together with the basic amount and the federal supplement, a total of around 23 million francs is available. Private individuals can submit their applications for grants to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in their own four walls from January 10th.

    As stated in a communication from the canton, the funding program has been checked and optimized after five years of experience. The inclusion of important interest groups was helpful. “Cooperation with the trade, with the various associations and with the university is important so that we can continue the success story of the energy funding program,” said Fabian Peter, the government councilor responsible for construction, the environment and energy.

    The most important changes for the year 2022 include new funding measures such as connection to a heating network with renewable energies, non-automatic wood firing and charging infrastructure for e-mobility in existing apartment buildings. There were also adjustments to the funding rates. Renewals of building insulation are now subsidized with 60 instead of 40 francs per square meter. The subsidy rates for solar thermal systems will be doubled. In addition, there are now flat-rate subsidy rates for building services up to 15 kilowatts, for example for a heat pump, a wood-burning stove or a district heating connection.

  • Implenia separates from Gravière de la Claie-aux-Moines

    Implenia separates from Gravière de la Claie-aux-Moines

    Implenia AG is selling its majority stake of 66.67 percent in Gravière de la Claie-aux-Moines SA ( GCM ). The construction and real estate company from Opfikon informs in a message that the stake will be sold to Walo Bertschinger SA Romandie as well as to Vigier Holding AG and H 2 M Participations SA. Shareholder Walo Bertschinger SA Romandie had previously held the remaining third of the GCM. Even after the entry of Vigier Holding AG and H 2 M Participations SA, the stake held by Walo Bertschinger SA Romandie will remain a minority stake, according to the announcement. The parties involved have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

    “Implenia is selling its stake in GCM SA to suitable owners in order to continue to focus on the defined core portfolio and advance its asset-light strategy,” the company explains in the press release. As part of the corporate strategy, Implenia wants to concentrate on “integrated construction and real estate services in Switzerland and Germany as well as tunnel construction and related infrastructure projects in other markets”.

  • Holcim takes over Malarkey Roofing in the USA

    Holcim takes over Malarkey Roofing in the USA

    The global Zug-based building materials company Holcim has signed an agreement to take over Malarkey Roofing Products . Malarkey is a leader in the American residential roofing market, according to a press release . It is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The transaction is valued at $ 1.35 billion and will be 100 percent cash-funded. Holcim expects to realize synergies of $ 40 million per year by year three.

    Malarkey Roofing Products is forecast to have net sales of $ 600 million in 2022. According to the announcement, the company can point to double-digit growth in the highly profitable roof-top housing market in the USA with a volume of 19 billion dollars. Both companies have set themselves the goal of sustainable building.

    “The acquisition of Malarkey Roofing Products is an excellent start for our ‘Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth’, with which we are expanding our Solutions & Products division and becoming one of the world’s leading providers of roofing systems,” Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch is quoted as saying. With Malarkey, Holcim is positioning itself as a full-range roofing provider. The strategy to accelerate green growth is to expand this area to 30 percent of the Group’s net sales by 2025.

    Gregory Malarkey, President of Malarkey Roofing, founded in 1956, sees Holcim as the right partner. “For decades we have been looking for a company that aligns with our vision, shares our values and can help us accelerate our growth strategy.” Like Malarkey, Holcim also focuses heavily on promoting the circular economy and the transition to sustainable construction, Malarkey becomes further quoted.

  • Implenia is building district heating tunnels in Hamburg

    Implenia is building district heating tunnels in Hamburg

    Implenia will build a 1.2 kilometer long tunnel for Wärme Hamburg , the construction and real estate company from Opfikon informs in a press release . The tunnel is to connect the north of Hamburg to a new heating network. To do this, it will cross under the Elbe around 2 kilometers west of the Elbe tunnel for the motorway.

    The work is divided into two phases, with the planning phase starting in October. Implenia has now received the order for further planning and construction work from the beginning of 2022, according to the announcement. The total order volume there is estimated at around 75 million francs.

    The work should be completed by the first quarter of 2025. To this end, Implenia will first create diaphragm walls for the start and finish shafts with a depth of up to 42 meters. A tunnel measuring 1.16 kilometers long and around 4.5 meters in diameter is then to be drilled between them and lined with precast concrete elements. Implenia is also responsible for planning and installing the operating technology for the district heating pipeline.

    "We are very pleased that we are able to create this large and complex infrastructure project for our customer Wärme Hamburg", Erwin Scherer, Head of Tunneling at Implenia, is quoted in the press release. "The fact that we are making a contribution to improving the sustainability of heat generation gives us additional motivation, because sustainability is an Implenia corporate value that we will also live by in this project."

  • Steiner sells the "Widacher" project to Fortimo

    Steiner sells the "Widacher" project to Fortimo

    During the first construction phase, Fortimo will build 16 terraced houses and 42 apartments in the Minergie standard. The latter are spread across three apartment buildings that are being newly built, as well as two existing listed buildings. The new quarter will have attractive housing offers, private retreats and communal meeting areas. Right from the start, Steiner AG pursued the goal of transforming a fallow industrial area into a new, livable place to live in the countryside. Existing listed buildings such as the barn and the old post office were carefully integrated into the project and are now being revitalized as part of the implementation for living and common rooms.

    Focus on real estate development
    Due to a portfolio adjustment, Steiner AG decided to sell the site development, which has already been approved in part, before the execution phase. Michael Schiltknecht, Co-CEO of the Steiner Group, is very pleased about the successful transaction: “With Fortimo we can hand over this great project to a long-term partner company, which ensures the successful implementation and further development of this attractive residential development.” He adds: “We have developed a convincing new building project with great potential from a former industrial site, the success story of which is now being continued by Fortimo.”

    A major project in three stages
    The construction of the first stage will start in summer 2022 if the project goes according to plan. The overall project, which consists of three stages and will one day include 165 residential units in 10 multi-family houses and 46 row single-family houses, will be completed in the next few years.

    Rural yet central
    The proximity to Zurich, an independent village character and a colorful club life make the Aargau community of Fischbach-Göslikon particularly attractive as a place to live. The Widacher area is in a quiet location and scores with a wonderful view and excellent transport links. From here, the public schools, shops and the natural banks of the Reuss with their sandbanks can be reached quickly on foot.

    Steiner AG
    Steiner AG, one of the leading project developers as well as total and general contractors (TU / GU) in Switzerland, offers comprehensive services in the areas of new construction, renovation and real estate development. The company, founded in 1915, has built over 1,500 residential construction projects, 540 commercial properties, 45 hotels and 200 infrastructure facilities such as universities, schools, hospitals, old people’s homes and correctional facilities. Steiner AG is headquartered in Zurich and has branches in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Tolochenaz and Lucerne.

    Fortimo AG
    Fortimo creates added value with joy and enthusiasm, regardless of whether you develop, hold or operate real estate. Responsible and sustainable, the more than 80 Fortimo employees at the new headquarters in St.Gallen generate annual added value of well over CHF 200 million. In 2020 Fortimo built more residential units than ever before, and at the beginning of 2021 the properties it owns exceeded the billion mark. The combination of investment, development and operation creates valuable synergies that ultimately benefit the users of the real estate.

  • "The St. Gallen quarters of the future should be lively, diverse and mixed"

    "The St. Gallen quarters of the future should be lively, diverse and mixed"

    To person
    Maria Pappa was born in St. Gallen in 1971 and grew up in the city. In 2016, the daughter of southern Italian immigrants was elected city councilor, and since this year the social democrat has been city president of the city of St. Gallen and heads the interior and finance department. Before that, she headed the Planning and Construction Directorate as a city councilor. Maria Pappa studied social pedagogy at the higher technical school for social work in Rorschach. Before her election, she headed the closed department of the Platanenhof youth home in Oberuzwil and later the municipal day care for school children. Before moving into social work, the commercial high school graduate worked in the accounting department of an insurance company.

    Ms. Pappa, you have been the mayor of the city since the beginning of this year and are in charge of the Interior and Finance Directorate. Before that, as a city councilor, you headed the planning and construction department. How did you experience the change?
    After the election of the city president and the subsequent constituent meeting of the city council, things went very quickly; there were only four weeks left for the actual change. The induction as mayor and in the new management were shaped by the pandemic: most of the contacts with employees and external parties were virtual. There were only a few representative tasks – and they were limited to video messages for online events. This shift of personal exchange into the digital space made social contacts and real relationship building more difficult. At the same time, however, I was less bound by representative tasks and was able to immerse myself in the projects and peculiarities of the new management.

    Why did you decide to change management after four years of planning and construction?
    The distribution of the directorates is a matter for the city council as a whole. Together we looked at all the options and decided on the most ideal. Personally, I was happy to be the head of the planning department. I would have liked to stay there. After four years you are really familiar with the projects and have accompanied many of them from the start. However, the new function as mayor is associated with many representative tasks as well as sitting on committees. A close relationship with the city chancellery is very important. The fulfillment of these additional tasks with the simultaneous management of the so broad-based planning and construction department is not feasible in terms of time.

    Which projects were milestones for you as the head of planning and construction that you were allowed to support?
    When I received the voting results for the redesign of Marktplatz and Bohl, a stone fell from my heart. Getting a consensus-based marketplace project through at the third attempt was intensive work. The redesign of Zürcher Strasse was also blocked for a long time. In 2018, the city parliament approved the proposed project. The redesign is to begin next year. The numerous school and care projects formed a focus. The largest project deserves special mention here: the new Riethüsli school building. This has long been expected in the quarter – in November 2020 the electorate approved it. During these four years, many important strategy papers were also worked on in the background, including living space, open space, tree and interior development strategies. Some are relevant for the revision of the building and zoning regulations. They will all shape the structural development of the city.

    What projects are at the top of your agenda for you as the head of the Internal Affairs and Finance Directorate?
    There are currently three current topics: I want to make St. Gallen better known as an attractive city and thus correct and improve the slightly outdated, “crumbly” image that we ourselves have of our city. When it comes to finances, St. Gallen has a solid financial basis. But it has shown a latent structural deficit for years, which is particularly evident in budgeting. The effort increases more than the income. One of the goals will therefore be to correct this structural imbalance. And finally, the cultural life of the city is close to my heart. It is important to me to implement the cultural concept that was adopted in 2020.

    In 2020, a large local recreation area was opened in a densely populated area on the Burgweiher site. Are there similar land projects / land reserves that could be implemented / developed in the next few years?
    The fact that we were able to make such a large green space in the middle of the city accessible to the public is a stroke of luck and certainly unique in this form. In the next few years, it will be more about residential and commercial space. The major development areas that will occupy the city in the next few years are on the one hand in the Ruckhalde. The diameter line of the Appenzeller Bahnen has freed up an area that the city wants to develop especially for residential use. On the other hand, an attractive new district is to be created in St. Fiden. The area around the train station offers a lot of potential for internal densification and an attractive redesign.

    In its Vision 2030, the city council assumes that the city of St. Gallen will grow and that the population will develop into a multicultural urban society. How do you, as mayor, support this vision?
    With its living space, interior development and open space strategy, St. Gallen has shown how it intends to face the future as a strong, innovative and attractive city. The real estate strategy will be added shortly. We are actively trying to convey this forward-looking image to the outside world with the “Santa” campaign. Even as director of planning and construction, collaboration and participation were important to me. With the revision of the participation regulations, the city has finally taken on a culture of participation since this year. It seems natural to me that we will continue to include those who live in this city when it comes to designing this city. Participation also means that we seek cooperation and exchange with our own canton and neighboring cantons, the municipalities and other cities and cultivate synergies.

    What exactly is the housing strategy of the City of St. Gallen?
    The living space strategy is primarily about creating new, attractive living space as well as renewing existing living space. For this purpose, the housing strategy defines a total of 14 goals and 27 measures in six fields of action. The housing offer should be varied and tailored to different target groups and the housing development should be implemented in a socially acceptable manner. Innovative residential projects such as multi-generational living and post-family living are part of the strategy. The districts are also an essential aspect of the housing strategy. The St. Gallen quarters of the future should be lively, diverse and mixed and promote an attractive living environment. In order to achieve these goals, the city chooses to cooperate and wants to promote dialogue with those involved in housing construction.

    «
    The future St. Gallen quarters should be lively and mixed
    »

    What challenges does the road to “residential city 2030” bring with it?
    The question arises as to how good quality internal compression can be reconciled with attractive open spaces. The fact that more people will live in the same room in the future should not impair the quality of living and amenity. To make matters worse is climate change, the effects of which pose major challenges, especially for urban areas. The aim will be to use structural measures to avoid heat islands in particular and to promote networking and biodiversity. All of these challenges are ultimately about the residents themselves. I am convinced that we can achieve better solutions if we can tap the potential of the city and its residents in participatory processes.

    What measures can the strategy be implemented with?
    The catalog of measures of the housing strategy comprises 27 specific measures. This can be analyzes of specific situations, the creation of new financial and legal instruments or specific construction projects. Ultimately, it is about creating the basis and framework conditions so that the city can develop in the direction indicated by the housing strategy.

    What advantages does the city have for companies willing to settle and for newcomers?
    St. Gallen has a diverse range that is impressive. The city stands for education, culture and innovation. At the same time, the quality of life is unique thanks to the location in beautiful nature between Säntis and Lake Constance and with an abundance of cultural and gastronomic offers. St. Gallen is a city of short distances, which makes networking and organization easier than in larger cities. For companies and especially private individuals, St. Gallen impresses with its compactness and its ideal mix of urbanity and closeness to nature. As an educational location with the world-renowned University of St. Gallen (HSG) and OST Ostschweizer Fachhochschule, St. Gallen has many bright and well-trained people. The city is also busy developing various areas, primarily in the west, and adding new uses for trade, industry and research.

    Where does the city need to improve if it wants to become even more attractive?
    Even if the city can naturally improve in many areas, such as exciting housing offers, I don't think St. Gallen needs to hide. Many of the city's advantages and attractive offers are simply not well known. This is one of the reasons why we started the marketing campaign.

    The St. Gallen Energy Act contains new structural measures that affect energy consumption in new buildings and in existing houses. The new regulations have been in effect since July 1, 2021. What are the key changes for residential and commercial property owners?
    The addendum to the Energy Act is based on the federal government's climate targets of halving CO2 emissions by 2030. New buildings should therefore rely on renewable energies in the future and cover part of their electricity needs through in-house production. For existing properties, new requirements apply when replacing an existing heating system. Either heating systems with renewable energy should be used or energy should be saved through better insulation. The Office for Building Permits will be happy to advise owners.

    How have property gains taxes developed recently? How will things go in the near future?
    Property gains taxes have almost tripled. This is mainly due to the rise in real estate prices. We have seen a very active real estate market in recent years. Due to the lack of alternatives, real estate has proven to be a good investment opportunity. In the future, developments will depend on the investment market and interest rates. I assume that the current trend will continue a little longer.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony for the Rietbach Center has taken place

    The groundbreaking ceremony for the Rietbach Center has taken place

    The starting shot for the Rietbach Center has been given. Representatives of the municipality of Bachenbülach, tenants and other guests attended the groundbreaking ceremony, according to a message from P&F Immobilien . Burger King, the hotel chain Schatz AG and Bodypalace Gym, which will also offer physiotherapy, have been won as anchor tenants.

    The new health, commercial and service center in the Zürcher Unterland is only about three minutes from the Bülach-Süd / Bachenbülach motorway exit. It will have freely expandable areas that are just as suitable for medical practices and other providers in the health sector as for specialized shops. The health services offered are intended on the one hand to ensure basic care, while on the other hand medical specialists are also to be settled there. The future tenants should also benefit from synergy effects from the surrounding centers.

    On the ground floor of the Rietbach Center, an area of 3000 square meters is available for trade and services. This is supplemented by 1,600 square meters of rental space on the upper floor.

  • CondenZero wins Swiss Innovation Challenge

    CondenZero wins Swiss Innovation Challenge

    The Swiss Innovation Challenge has been decided, the three winners come from Zurich: on Thursday the main prize of CHF 20,000 was awarded to condenZero . The spin-off of the University of Zurich ( UZH ) received this award virtually when the award ceremony was broadcast from the Haus der Wirtschaft in Pratteln. According to a press release , a message from Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin was leaked.

    The physicists at condenZero develop and produce scientific sample holders that work at low temperatures of around minus 270 degrees. The innovative cooling principle was originally developed at the Swiss free-electron laser at the Paul Scherrer Institute . In the start-up phase, the team will concentrate on introducing the new technology to the cryo-electron microscopy market. The condenZero technology can hold cryogenic temperatures for up to 24 hours. With the current cryo-microscopy solutions, this is only possible for 15 minutes. CondenZero is also in the final round of the start-up CERN BIC incubator .

    Second place and the special life sciences prize of CHF 5,000 went to MyLeg . This is a “unique” device that recovers sensory information about the touch and movement of a prosthetic leg. It does this through non-invasive electrical stimulation. The device does not have to be used surgically and can be added to any existing prosthesis.

    Third place and the special construction prize were awarded to Oxara . The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich converts construction waste into sustainable and affordable building materials with self-developed and patented mineral additives, thus promoting the circular economy. The company’s goal is to significantly reduce “the immense footprint” of conventional building materials.

  • Holcim launches concrete innovation

    Holcim launches concrete innovation

    Holcim has developed a new high-performance concrete called DYNAMax. According to a media release from the Zug-based building materials group, it can be used to build thinner and longer structures than with conventional concrete. On the one hand, this enables larger usable rooms. On the other hand, material is saved in building.

    Holcim also paid attention to the overall ecological footprint of DYNAMax. In addition to the reduced use of materials, the product is characterized by local production, “short transport routes” and a recyclable and completely reusable profile.

    DYNAMax will initially be launched in Europe, North and South America and the Asia-Pacific region in 2022.

    “Given today’s population and urbanization trends, DYNAMax is an ideal material for building smart cities. It offers high performance so that you can build more with less, without compromising aesthetics and functionality, ”says Jan Jenisch, CEO of Holcim.

  • Steiner sells Immo-Projekt to Fortimo

    Steiner sells Immo-Projekt to Fortimo

    Steiner AG has decided to “adjust the portfolio”. As a result, it sells the entire Widacher project in Fischbach-Göslikon to Fortimo Invest AG . According to a press release , Fortimo will begin with the implementation of the first construction phase in the coming year. There is already a building permit for this.

    Initially, 16 terraced houses are to be built on an abandoned industrial site. This first stage also includes a further 42 apartments in three apartment buildings and two listed buildings. A total of 165 residential units in ten multi-family houses and 46 row single-family houses are planned on this site. They are to be built in three sections.

    “With Fortimo we can hand over this great project to a long-standing partner company, which ensures the successful implementation and further development of this attractive residential complex,” Steiner CEO Michael Schiltknecht is quoted as saying.

  • Implenia is building five buildings for SBB

    Implenia is building five buildings for SBB

    As a general contractor, Implenia is building five buildings on the former Malley industrial site west of Lausanne, one of which has 19 floors and a second one with 24 floors. As the company reports , the order volume is CHF 200 million. It includes the construction of residential and commercial buildings for the first phase of construction called Central Malley . An area of 42,200 square meters is to be developed. 23,700 square meters are planned as office space, 3800 square meters for commercial units and 14,700 square meters for around 200 apartments.

    The Central Malley construction project is the first step in the revitalization of the Malley industrial area. According to the information, the area is to be converted into a sustainable urban quarter with apartments, offices and commercial units. The concept for the development is based on ecological building, future ways of life and the Minergie P-Eco standard. The development of the new district fits into the spatial development plan for the Lausanne metropolitan area, which envisages several “ambitious architectural designs”. In this way, Implenia is making a contribution to the design of “promising future living and working environments,” says Jens Vollmar, Head of the Buildings Division, quoted in the press release.

    The project was preceded by two architecture competitions. The designs are implemented by the offices of Aeby Perneger & Associés SA and Pont 12 Architectes SA .

  • ETH robots build hanging gardens for Zug

    ETH robots build hanging gardens for Zug

    The Tech Cluster Zug will have hanging gardens based on ancient models. The planted architectural sculpture intended for this purpose bears the name Semiramis. It is 22.5 meters high and consists of five differently sized and geometrically complex wooden bowls that are placed one on top of the other. A video presented in a media release from ETH shows how these are supported by eight slender steel supports.

    Researchers from the group of ETH architecture professors Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler design and create Semiramis together with Müller Illien landscape architects , the timber construction engineers from Timbatec and other partners from industry and research. The design options come from a machine learning algorithm that was developed in collaboration with the Swiss Data Science Center .

    “The computer model enables us to reverse the conventional design process and to explore the entire scope for designing a project,” Matthias Kohler, Professor of Architecture and Fabrication at ETH Zurich, is quoted as saying. In the Immersive Design Lab , an ETH laboratory for augmented reality, the researchers were able to explore the designs in three dimensions. A software developed jointly with the Computational Robotics Lab at ETH allowed the designs to be modified. According to Kohler, this lighthouse project in architectural research is driving “key research topics such as interactive architectural design and digital fabrication”.

    The Semiramis sculpture is currently being built by four cooperating robotic arms in the robotic production laboratory at ETH Zurich. An algorithm prevents collisions if you each lift one of the wooden panels and place them in the room at the same time. The robots relieve humans of the heavy lifting and precise positioning. They also make complex scaffolding unnecessary.

    The individual shell segments each consist of 51 to 88 wooden panels. When one of them is ready, it is transported to Zug by truck. Semiramis is to be erected and planted in spring 2022.

  • Holcim realizes a new concrete structure

    Holcim realizes a new concrete structure

    Holcim built the cantilever bridge called Bridge to the Future at its Hüntwangen plant. The company describes the filigree concrete platform for the acceptance of excavated material in a press release as “one of the most climate-friendly structures in the world”. This bridge was created in close cooperation with CPC AG from Andelfingen and the fiber composite materials ( FRP ) specialist group at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ( ZHAW ).

    For this bridge, the concrete slab technology from CPC was used and further optimized. The company, founded in 2013, produces particularly filigree, stable and durable concrete slabs and components that are reinforced with pre-stressed carbon fibers (carbon prestressed concrete, CPC) instead of corrosive steel. This can save up to 75 percent of material and thus also CO2. This technology was developed and patented in a research collaboration between the ZHAW and the Silidur company from 2010. As stated in the press release, Holcim has since acquired a stake in CPC AG “as proof of its trust in CPC technology”.

    According to the information, Holcim used its clinker-free cement Locarbo for the Bridge to the Future. Compared to conventional cement, this has 63 percent fewer CO2 emissions. From this, Holcim has developed a high-strength recycled concrete. Its carbon footprint has been reduced from 210 to 138 kilograms of CO2 per cubic meter.

    FVK supported Holcim with feasibility and load-bearing tests as well as statics calculations. “This project is a highlight for us,” says FVK manager Josef Kurath. The individual material properties are “reflected in a unique way and optimally used”.

  • Swiss Casinos is building in Pfäffikon

    Swiss Casinos is building in Pfäffikon

    Swiss Casinos Pfäffikon is moving. However, the company will continue to “rely on the community on upper Lake Zurich”, writes the Zurich-based Swiss Casinos Group in a press release . Specifically, Swiss Casinos is planning a building with a casino next to the business center on Schindellegistrasse in Pfäffikon.

    “The new location offers everything a modern casino needs,” Thomas Cavelti, director of the Pfäffikon casino, is quoted in the message. “With the new location we will be able to meet all demands in the next 20 years.”

    Sager und Partner Architektur und Immobilien GmbH from Freienbach was commissioned with the construction of the casino building. The opening of the new location is planned for the beginning of 2023 at the latest. Until then, the existing casino in Seedamm Plaza will remain open.

    “We have always been very satisfied with the previous location and the cooperation with the Seedamm Plaza,” explains Marc Baumann, CEO of Swiss Casinos, in the press release. “We still had to take the chance of our own casino building.”

  • Walo Bertschinger renovates the Bad Ragaz thermal baths

    Walo Bertschinger renovates the Bad Ragaz thermal baths

    As part of a renovation work in the Bad Ragaz SG thermal baths, the Dietiker construction company Walo Bertschinger renewed the floor coverings. According to a message from Walo on Facebook, the Walo bedding Haypanol D was laid with a special system constellation.

    According to the company announcement, high demands were placed on slip resistance, UV resistance and optics in the thermal baths. In the system constellation used by Walo, these conditions of the client Grand Resort Bad Ragaz were met. The multi-layer structure of the covering and its technical properties also showed high chemical resistance, so that various cleaning agents, greases, other deposits and chemical solutions cannot harm the covering.

    According to Walo, the architecture of the famous thermal baths with its special appearance corresponds to the snow-white surface.

  • Milestone for sustainable building is being created in Zug

    Milestone for sustainable building is being created in Zug

    The construction project for V-ZUG ‘s new production and assembly building called Zephyr Ost in the Zug Tech Cluster is the largest to date in which CO2-enriched concrete has been used. It is made from recycled concrete from the building materials group Holcim , which is enriched with CO2 using a neustark process. According to a press release , the construction work started on Wednesday. The building is scheduled to go into service in 2023.

    For this climate-friendly concrete, CO2 from Switzerland is being used for the first time. The start-up based in Bern and spun off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ) in 2019, neustark extracts the CO2 from the wastewater treatment plant of the ara region Bern AG .

    The recycled granulate for concrete production is processed by the recycling processing plant Arge EvoREC in Oberdorf NW. This is a joint venture between Holcim Kies und Beton AG and Zimmermann Umweltlogistik AG . The granulate is then carbonated by neustark using the dry process. The technology has been tested in the past few months and is now being used commercially.

    With the use of 4,200 cubic meters of recycled concrete and the binding of CO2, a total saving of 71 tons of CO2 is achieved compared to conventional construction. That corresponds roughly to the annual CO2 uptake of 3500 Swiss firs.

    “We are pleased to be able to come one step closer to our vision of climate-neutral and circular concrete production with the help of the innovative neustark process,” said Giovanni Barbarani, Head of Concrete Performance at Holcim Switzerland. “This project is a milestone on the way to sustainable building in Switzerland, also thanks to its regionality and short transport routes.”

    The Metall Zug Group wants to create “a new piece of the city for an industrial ecosystem” in the Zug Tech Cluster. Other industrial companies, start-ups, technology-related service providers, training institutions and apartments are also to be located there.

  • Implenia receives another order for the Brenner tunnel

    Implenia receives another order for the Brenner tunnel

    The construction consortium of Implenia and Webuild Group has been awarded the contract for lot H41 for the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, the construction and real estate company from Opfikon informs in a message . The two partner companies each hold 50 percent of the joint venture. The value of the contract on the Austrian side of the Brennero tunnel is put at 690 million francs. Implenia Austria will take over the technical management of the project.

    When awarding the contract, particular attention was paid to environmental aspects and sustainability, the communication further explains. Here, “the high environmental standards” of the two partner companies contributed to the good rating. Specifically, the call for tenders required measures to reduce environmental pollution and the use of green electricity.

    The contract to build the main tunnel from the Ahrental access tunnel north to Innsbruck and south to Pfons is already the second order that Implenia has won for the construction of the base tunnel. Together with the Webuild Group, Implenia is also working on the construction of the high-performance Franzenfeste-Waidbruck line at the southern connection of the tunnel.

    “The Brenner Base Tunnel is an important part of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor of the Trans-European Network (TEN-T), which improves rail connections across the continent,” Erwin Scherer, Global Head of Tunneling at Implenia, is quoted as saying in the press release. “We are pleased that we can bring our many years of experience and our proven expertise in tunneling to this large and complex tunneling project.”