immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Bauwesen

  • Lucerne University of Applied Sciences offers training in digital construction

    Lucerne University of Applied Sciences offers training in digital construction

    From March 2022, the Techik & Architektur department at HSLU will be offering modular advanced training courses in digital construction. According to a media release , she wants to close the skills gap of numerous specialists in whose training digitization has not yet played a role.

    The HSLU starts with two Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS): Digital Construction – Ordering & Development and Digital Construction – Design & Planning. In the following semesters, the modules Management & Collaboration, Fabrication & Creation and Operation & Maintenance are to be added. The expansion to Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) and Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) is in preparation. Those who take part in the further training will become "a professional in digital ordering, planning, building and operation and will receive an in-depth overall view of the digital value chain and the lifecycle data management of tomorrow".

    As the HSLU notes, there is a lot of catching up to do in the construction industry when it comes to the application of digitally based processes, methods and technologies. Hundreds of corresponding advertisements can already be found on job portals. The curriculum is based on specific practical tasks and international requirements. "In this way, the participants create the best conditions for positions at home and abroad," says co-program director Markus Weber.

  • Madaster wins pom + as a partner

    Madaster wins pom + as a partner

    Madaster wants to strengthen the circular economy in the construction and real estate sector. For this purpose, it offers digital tools such as material passports and indices for recording the economic and circular value of buildings on its platform. In addition, companies are networked that are committed to circular economy in the construction and real estate sectors. With pom + Consulting AG ( pom + ), the Swiss cadastre for materials has now won another comrade, Madaster Switzerland informs in a message . The consulting company pom +, based in Technopark Zurich, specializes in construction and real estate companies.

    "In order to really achieve the goal of climate neutrality in the construction and real estate industry, an all-round view from planning to use is just as important as anchoring a sustainable real estate strategy," says Jürgen Marc Volm, partner and expert for circular economy at pom +, in the message quote. "Thanks to the data transparency over the entire project life cycle on Madaster, we can combine our expertise with the potential to answer future-oriented questions about the correct use of materials and material dismantling more easily."

    Madaster's building passports record data about the materials used in a building. In this way, future recycling of the material is made possible. The networking should make it easier for companies to disseminate knowledge in circular construction and to jointly develop approaches for a circular construction and real estate industry. With pom +, Madaster has gained a new partner "who integrates the concept of circularity in all services over the entire life cycle," says Marloes Fischer, Managing Director of Madaster Services Switzerland.

  • Swarm is supposed to give wings to solar folding roofs

    Swarm is supposed to give wings to solar folding roofs

    Dhp technology , based in Zizers, wants to raise fresh funds from investors for further growth. To this end, the manufacturer of the folding solar roof called Horizon is now starting a swarm financing campaign, according to a media release . The goal is between 1 million and 3 million francs. The minimum investment is estimated at 120 francs. The campaign is expected to last until the end of January 2022. It will be carried out on the platform of the Zug-based provider Conda.ch .

    With the solar folding roof from dhp, solar modules are retracted and extended on a cable construction. The control takes place automatically and is based on the weather data. For example, the system can protect itself from a storm.

    According to dhp, the roof is particularly suitable for sewage treatment plants. There are 800 of these in Switzerland and around 80,000 in Europe. In addition, Horizon can be used in park, commercial and logistics areas. The company estimates the economic potential in Europe at around 60 billion euros.

    The solar folding roofs have been manufactured in a factory in Zizers since 2019. Twelve dhp systems are currently in operation. The next ones are already waiting for delivery.

    On the one hand, the solar folding roof is to be further developed with the fresh money. On the other hand, sales abroad are to be promoted.

  • Sika opens technology center in India

    Sika opens technology center in India

    Sika AG , headquartered in Baar, has opened a new facility in India. In the industrial city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, the specialty chemicals manufacturer is developing and producing adhesives and sealants for the Indian market in a new technology center and production facility, according to a media release .

    The 8-million city of Pune is a leading industrial center, in particular due to its established automobile manufacturers and suppliers. The new Sika location with laboratories for development and a factory for production is conveniently located in terms of traffic in order to be able to supply customers quickly, according to the press release.

    “The expansion of our own production facilities as well as our on-site research and development facilities promotes the development of our local know-how and brings enormous advantages to our customers. Customer-specific solutions can be developed, produced and delivered within a very short time. In this way we are laying the basis for Sika's long-term growth and further development in this important market, "said Morten Muschak, Corporate Target Market Manager Industry at Sika, in the press release.

    Sika AG wants to benefit from economic growth, increasing urbanization and a favorable investment policy in India. The country is currently home to the fifth largest automobile market in the world. According to forecasts, the construction industry will grow by an average of 6.5 percent per year by 2030. The vehicle industry is expected to grow by more than 10 percent per year, according to the press release.

  • Holcim buys American company

    Holcim buys American company

    Holcim is buying the American company Marshall Concrete Products , according to a media release . This specializes in concrete products for residential buildings and small businesses. It was founded in 1936 and is based in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

    With the acquisition, Holcim wants to expand its position in the USA. "The acquisition strengthens our presence in this strong growth market and contributes to Holcim's overall strategy of expanding our range of low-carbon products and solutions," Jan Jenisch, CEO of Holcim, is quoted as saying.

    According to the announcement, all Marshall Concrete Products employees will continue to be employed and integrated into Holcim's national subsidiary in the USA. No information is given about the purchase price.

  • Steel profiles from demolished objects should live on

    Steel profiles from demolished objects should live on

    Representatives of the Swiss steel and construction industry have formed an alliance for the recycling of used steel profiles in construction. According to a press release, representatives of the Swiss Steel Construction Center , the Christoph Merian Foundation , the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute ( Empa ), the Empa research and innovation building NEST and the Eawag water research institute met in situ at a round table in November , ZPF Ingenieure , Madaster and Sumami and decided to jointly promote the recyclability of steel profiles in Switzerland. The project team Purchasing Compass Recycling Management and the Metal suisse industry association were invited to the round table. The aim is to better understand the potential of steel profiles in the circular economy and to make it practicable.

    A car park in Basel belonging to the Christoph Merian Foundation that is being demolished is to serve as a prototype project. According to the announcement, the construction office in situ, which has already implemented projects in this context, is supporting this. It is now being investigated how the dismantling of the steel profiles in the parking garage can succeed, where the steel profiles are reinserted and where they can be stored in the meantime. Steel profiles are considered to be particularly recyclable because they can be expanded in their existing form and usually integrated directly into new buildings. There is no loss of material or quality and no energy is required for melting or reshaping.

    Through this energy saving, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced directly during construction. The direct reuse of building materials without recycling represents the greatest lever in reducing emissions in the construction industry. In addition to steel profiles, concrete, facade elements, windows or doors can also be reused.

  • FHNW gets professor for circular building

    FHNW gets professor for circular building

    For the Institute of Sustainability and Energy in the building of the University of Architecture, Building and Geomatics of the FHNW , circular economy is an important part of environmentally and resource-saving construction. In order to further develop research and education in the areas of energy-efficient and climate-neutral building, integral building technology, sustainable building and operation, resource-efficient and circular building as well as health aspects in buildings, the institute is establishing the professorship of circular building. The architect Andrea Klinge is to take over the corresponding chair.

    Klinge studied architecture at the Technical University of Berlin, the FHNW informs in a message about the new professorship. After further training in sustainable building at the London Metropolitan University, the designated professor worked in various architecture offices in London, Rome and Berlin. Klinge is currently active at ZRS Architekten Ingenieure Berlin. The architect and trained carpenter have established a research department here, according to the announcement.

    In her new position, Klinge wants to tackle “the current challenges in the construction sector”. "This is one of the most resource-intensive economic sectors in the world and contributes significantly to climate change," the professor-designate is quoted in the press release. “In order to meet the Paris climate goals, we urgently need consistent approaches that implement the necessary building turnaround in the construction sector.” According to Barbara Sintzel, Head of the Institute for Sustainability and Energy in Construction, Klinge “has specialist expertise in the use of ReUse components and renewable building materials to help achieve a breakthrough in practice with applied research and thus make the building turnaround possible ”.

  • Construction of housing estate in Zurich's Guggach area begins

    Construction of housing estate in Zurich's Guggach area begins

    Representatives of the city of Zurich broke ground for the construction of the Guggach III residential and commercial estate. At the intersection of Hofwiesenstrasse and Wehntalerstrasse, 111 non-profit apartments for around 300 people will be built in the coming years, according to a media release . The first tenants are expected to be able to move in in the second quarter of 2024.

    The City of Zurich is developing the Guggach area in Zurich-Unterstrass together with the Simple Living Foundation. For this purpose, the city has given part of its land reserve to the public foundation under building law, according to the media release.

    Two residential buildings with commercial units on the ground floor and a building for a kindergarten are being built on the 8,500 square meter property. A school with a gym and a park are to be built in another part of the area.

  • Holcim is building a 3D-printed settlement

    Holcim is building a 3D-printed settlement

    With its joint venture 14Trees and the British development finance institute CDC Group , Holcim wants to realize the largest 3D-printed house complex in Africa. In Kilifi, Kenya, the Mvule Gardens development is to create affordable living space in 52 buildings. The building material manufacturer has now announced this. The project is part of the regenerative ecosystem Green Heart of Kenya , a model for inclusive and climate-resilient cities. Construction will start in early 2022.

    The project builds on Holcim's first 3D printed school in Malawi. It is intended to close an acute infrastructure gap. "14Trees is pioneering the use of cutting-edge technology to address one of Africa's most pressing development needs – affordable housing – and create life-changing infrastructure for entire communities," said Tenbite Ermias, CEO of CDC Africa, as quoted in the press release.

    14Trees has set itself the goal of addressing the lack of affordable housing in Africa with 3D printing and intelligent design, while creating skilled local jobs at the same time. As demonstrated in Malawi, the technology can reduce a house's ecological footprint by more than 50 percent compared to conventional methods, according to Holcim. Accordingly, they have the EDGE certificate for resource- efficient buildings.

    The MASS Design Group , an architecture firm based in the USA and Africa, designed the Mvule Gardens. They are designed to create affordable, sustainable and reproducible housing units that are adapted to the Kenyan environment.

  • Empa concrete project receives funding

    Empa concrete project receives funding

    The Ernst Göhner Foundation , based in Zug, is funding a research project for high-performance concrete at the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute ( Empa ). She has now made an unspecified amount available to the Empa Future Fund as start- up funding, according to a media release .

    This supports a research project for more environmentally friendly concrete. This has a lower CO2 footprint than conventional reinforced concrete because it is more durable and stable. In addition, the self-tensioning concrete can be used more sparingly.

    The project is a so-called high-risk-high-gain project. "The risk of failure is high, but there is also a lot to be won," Masoud Motavalli, head of the research department for engineering structures at Empa in Dübendorf, is quoted in the media release. Since 2008 he had approached potential sponsors with the idea of prestressed high-performance concrete.

  • Steiner AG can realize the residential building project Haus Weiler

    Steiner AG can realize the residential building project Haus Weiler

    The building permit for the new building project Haus Weiler in Winterthur's Neuhegi district is legally binding. As Steiner AG , which was commissioned with the planning, informed in a press release , the first apartments should be ready for occupancy in spring 2025. Residents will find peace and quiet and close to nature, but at the same time can reach the city in around 15 minutes by bike or bus, according to the message.

    The new residential development will close another gap in the KIM area. A modern building with 80 modern apartments with two and a half to five and a half rooms is to be built on 3328 square meters. The extraordinary room heights are a special feature. "While the apartments on the ground floor are equipped with private garden seating, the residential units on the top floors will impress with their large, private terraces," the company reports. The plans also provide for “a cozy inner courtyard”, which offers space for “cozy get-togethers, lingering, relaxing and playing”.

    The KIM quarter, launched in 2018 in the Oberwinterthur district , sees itself as “a lively and multi-layered quarter with commercial and residential buildings of various sizes”. The new district combines the advantages of urban structures with high recreational value at the same time. Green areas, playgrounds and car-free zones as well as attractive shopping opportunities in the area are named as strengths.

  • Halter AG can realize the Attisholz-Areal project

    Halter AG can realize the Attisholz-Areal project

    The government council of the canton of Solothurn has approved the land use planning for the Attisholz area in Riedholz. The decision ensures the further development of the area in the next 25 years, according to a media release from the Schlierem-based construction company Halter AG . On the Halter project page , it says about the project that cellulose has been industrially produced on the site for 130 years. Since the end of 2016, Halter AG has been working with the municipality of Riedholz and the canton of Solothurn to redesign the area.

    The usage planning that has now been approved was drawn up from 2018 to 2019 in a planning group of the municipality, the canton and Halter AG. After the preliminary examination, the participation procedure and the condition of the land use planning from 2020 to 2021, the municipality of Riedholz transferred the dossier to the canton of Solothurn in June 2021, according to the holder's notification. The decision of the government council now creates the planning law basis for a new zoning plan, as well as a zoning and development plan, in order to develop a living space for living, working and leisure out of the area.

    It is important that "the population stands behind the project and that the effects on the community in social, economic and ecological terms are acceptable," said Sandra Morstein, Mayor of Riedholz. "That is why great importance was attached to informing and participating in the population as well as trusting and constructive cooperation with the canton and Halter AG in the planning and development of common objectives."

    The results of a study by landscape architects on open space will be available in February. The planning of the infrastructure for public transport and community buildings such as schools and day-care centers is in preparation.

  • 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 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.

  • 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.”

  • Hilti buys software company Fieldwire in the USA

    Hilti buys software company Fieldwire in the USA

    The Schaaner group of companies Hilti is taking over the American tech company Fieldwire for 300 million dollars. Both companies have reached an agreement on this, according to a media release . The aim of the acquisition is to develop a leading digital platform for construction site management. Fieldwire has offered a platform since the company was founded in 2013, which is now used on more than 1 million construction sites.

    “This acquisition expands our software portfolio and is the next logical step in the direction of our vision of becoming the leading digitization partner for our customers,” said Christoph Loos, CEO of the Hilti Group, in the press release. Hilti wants to continue investing in the platform in order to become the market leader in the field of construction project management software.

    This also includes taking on all Fieldwire employees and hiring new ones. The two company founders, Yves Frinault and Javed Singha, will also continue to run the company.

    The tool manufacturer had already invested in the American start-up in 2017 as part of a financing round and has supported the development of Fieldwire since then. A close partnership already exists.

    “In Hilti we have found a partner who shares our values and at the same time enables us to accelerate our product development for our customers in our existing and new markets. We are very pleased to become part of the Hilti Group, ”said Yves Frinault, CEO of Fieldwire, in the press release. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.

  • Steiner AG is redeveloping the industrial area in Breitenbach

    Steiner AG is redeveloping the industrial area in Breitenbach

    The Steiner Investment Foundation wants to convert the Isola area not far from the center of Breitenbach into a residential and commercial area. The owner of the eleven hectare site has commissioned the construction service provider Steiner AG with this, according to a media release . The residents of Breitenbach are to be included in the development process from next year.

    The project developer also wants to open up the Isola area, which is located directly on the Lüssel, to the public. “This can look forward to new, attractive meeting and green areas, which will be created in place of the existing company roads and storage areas”, Stefan Gabriel, team leader for real estate development at Steiner AG, is quoted in the media release.

    The new quarter is not intended to compete with the village center, but rather to complement it. An intensive exchange is currently taking place with the Breitenbach municipal administration about the respective ideas and expectations. As a basis for a common understanding of the spatial development of the area, an urban development and open space planning test planning process will also be carried out, according to the media release. Renowned architectural offices and landscape architects would be invited to come up with suggestions.

    Construction on the first stage is expected to start in 2029. During the planning phase, however, the company wants to enable interim uses and, if necessary, bring forward individual conversion projects in existing buildings.

    The Steiner Invest Foundation, a Zurich-based asset management company for Swiss pension funds and an investment foundation of Steiner AG, acquired the 114,280 square meter area with its largely empty industrial and warehouse buildings in spring 2021.

  • Optisol inaugurates new company headquarters

    Optisol inaugurates new company headquarters

    Optisol has created the largest wooden structure in Valais and recently inaugurated it. The new building of the company headquarters for the company of the Migros subsidiary Micarna had become necessary because the manufacturer of high-quality organic and organic-mineral fertilizers had to relocate from the floodplain of the Rhone correction. According to a media release , the building at the new location in Vétroz reflects Migros’ strong commitment to sustainability.

    Its facade is made of Valais larch wood. The latest technologies are designed to clean the air from dust, odors and ammonia, among other things, before it is released into the atmosphere. In this way, the standards of the Clean Air Act would be met. The dryer for the litter from the poultry farming is supplied by the wood-fired thermal power station installed on the neighboring property. This district heating system also reduces CO2 emissions.

    In addition, Micarna leases the roof area to the Oiken Group. She will operate a photovoltaic system there. Nests for swifts and falcons have been built under the roof.

  • Baden regional works want to add to the administrative building

    Baden regional works want to add to the administrative building

    The administrative building of Regionalwerke Baden AG , classified as a municipal monument, is to be enlarged. According to a media release , the planning provides for an increase in the workshop wing and the expansion of the underground car park at the company’s location on Haselstrasse in the center of Baden. The expansion of the office space is in line with the strategic development of Regionalwerke AG Baden and will secure the location in the future.

    The administration building was built in 1934 by the architects Robert Lang and Hans Loepfe in the “new building” style. The building was renovated from 1987 to 1988. The concrete facade was awarded the Heimatschutzpreis in 1987. The original urban context of the building changed from 1999 to 2005 with the erection of the nave and the north house. The planned extension takes up the urban development and respects the existing building fabric. Several variants were discussed in detail with representatives from the preservation of historical monuments, homeland security and the cityscape commission.

    Next, Regionalwerke AG Baden will clarify essential building law framework conditions as part of a preliminary decision, according to the media release. The construction project is planned for 2024.

    The Regionalwerke AG Baden with 135 employees supplies the city and partly the region with energy and drinking water.

  • Raiffeisen does not see any corona city escape

    Raiffeisen does not see any corona city escape

    Raiffeisen considers the “often rumored thesis of the great Corona city flight” to be insubstantial. “The city remains an extremely attractive residential area. But that literally has its price, ”Raiffeisen chief economist Martin Neff is quoted in a press release on his bank’s current transaction price index. “People are turning their backs on her only because of the high housing costs.”

    As the figures for the third quarter of 2021 show, every minute of commuting time around Zurich costs 21,000 francs for a single-family home and 15,500 francs for a condominium. On average, condominiums were traded 2.0 percent more expensive than in the previous year. According to the information, the prices for single-family houses rose by 4.4 percent, the faster than ever since the launch of the Raiffeisen transaction price index.

    Compared to agglomeration communities, urban locations have lost their attractiveness. But despite the recent increase in the vacancy rate in the cities, the vacancy rates in the centers are still very low. Overall, Raiffeisen sees a “soft landing” for the rental housing market.

    Scarce land is being built on more and more densely. While in 2000 43 percent of new residential units were built in single-family houses, in 2020 it was only just under 11 percent. The proportion of apartments that have been newly created through additions, extensions and other renovations has almost doubled within ten years from 7 to 13 percent.

    In the countryside and in tourist regions, AirBnB remains good business despite the pandemic. “Compared to the regular rental housing market, some extremely attractive returns could be achieved there,” says Neff. “In the big centers, however, the business is usually not worthwhile after deducting all costs.”

  • Bühler builds center for positive energy and innovations

    Bühler builds center for positive energy and innovations

    Bühler AG has officially broken ground for its new Energy & Manufacturing Technology Center in Uzwil. The building in the immediate vicinity of the Cubic Innovationscampus, which was inaugurated in 2018, underlines the technology company’s long-term renewal strategy, according to a media release. Completion should be in the second quarter of 2023.

    On the one hand, the building consists of an energy center. The center for “good, positive energy” is to become the center for vocational and advanced training as well as for health prevention. Young men and women are trained there in the areas of plant engineering, polymechanics, automation and IT. This center should also be accessible to external partners.

    “We are clearly committed to the success model of our vocational training and lifelong learning. We are also expanding our health expertise much more and making a further contribution to keeping Uzwil as an attractive business location, ”said Christof Oswald, Head of Human Resources at Bühler, in the media release. Overall, the Energy Center aims to make Bühler more attractive as an employer.

    The second part of the building, the Manufacturing Technology Center, will house the areas of innovation and prototype construction. “Here we will manufacture innovations for our customers as pilot projects that we will later introduce in other production plants around the world,” said Andreas Schachtner, Head of Business Development in Manufacturing, Logistics & Supply Chain, in the media release.

  • Baumag construction machinery fair invites you to Lucerne

    Baumag construction machinery fair invites you to Lucerne

    Specialists from the main and ancillary construction trades can meet from January 13 to 16, 2022 at the 21st Baumag construction machinery trade fair in Lucerne. In the coming year it will be the only specialized trade fair in this sector in Switzerland, according to a press release .

    After a three-year break, the exhibition space is already well booked. “This shows that Baumag is an important Swiss presentation platform for the industry,” Exhibition Director Andreas Hauenstein is quoted in the press release.

    The exhibitor Baukader Schweiz takes part in a large part of the program. The management organization in the construction industry offers a keynote speech on every day of the fair, including topics such as machine control, sustainability, safety and ecology. In addition to the presentations, there should be a practical part.

    The visitors expected a “well-functioning trade fair operation in a familiar environment”. Wearing masks is not necessary thanks to an obligation to show a certificate of vaccination against the coronavirus. Gastronomy offers could be used without restriction and exhibitors serve their visitors at their stands.

    The fair takes place regularly every two years. This year, the already fully booked Baumag was canceled due to the corona pandemic.