Tag: Ersatzneubau

Nidwalden pools its blue light forces

The 33,000 square meter site on Kreuzstrasse is now completely built over. Many of the buildings are in need of considerable renovation, including the cantonal police and prison buildings. In addition, there are operational deficiencies such as a lack of escape routes or inadequate separation between public and staff entrances.

On the basis of a broad-based investigation, the cantonal government has decided to completely reorganize the site and build new replacement buildings. The aim is to create a modern security competence center that improves functional processes, increases security and is more economical in the long term than selective renovations.

Bundled blue-light organizations
The site is currently home to the police, prison, road safety center, road inspectorate, justice department and public prosecutor’s office. Due to the central location, the possibility of relocating additional emergency services, in particular the fire department and ambulance service, to Kreuzstrasse is being examined. The aim is to create a location with short distances, coordinated processes and clear responsibilities.

Test planning has shown that this bundling on the existing site is realistic. It confirms that the spatial requirements of the current uses and additional organizations can be implemented on the site without obstructing the site’s development potential.

Prison with a view to future needs
The future direction of the cantonal prison was also analyzed in depth as part of the test planning. The demand for prison places in Switzerland is high, particularly for inmates in need of care in the penal system. Against this background, Nidwalden is examining how the new prison facilities should be dimensioned and functionally aligned in order to meet demand in the long term.

Design plan and indicative project
The District Council has approved a planning credit of CHF 1.63 million for the design plan and indicative project. The planning will be continued with a clearly defined group of users – the cantonal police, rescue service, fire department, justice department, public prosecutor’s office, prison, road inspectorate, road safety center and selected administrative units.

The design plan is intended to create the legally binding framework for the next planning steps. It specifies which uses are permitted where, how development, open spaces and urban planning are to be designed and which stages are possible.

Adjustments to the process and open sub-projects
Several planning teams were initially involved in the study commission for the design plan and indicative project. In the course of 2025, however, it became apparent that the development with a moderate expansion of the existing traffic circle would not be sufficient in view of new traffic forecasts. At the same time, a new option for the road safety center came into play. Obwalden is planning a new building in Sarnen and synergies of a shared location with test halls and test tracks are being examined.

In order to be able to react more flexibly to these changes, it was decided to terminate the study contract in its previous form and to continue working on the indicative project with just one planning team. In October 2025, the District Council also requested more planning certainty, particularly for the two sub-projects “Road Safety Center” and “Prison”, before the design plan and indicative project are definitively completed.

Next steps and timetable
The design plan will cover the three local municipalities of Stans, Buochs and Oberdorf. The corresponding municipal assemblies or ballots for decision-making are currently scheduled for 2027.

The first loan applications for architectural competitions for individual buildings of the security competence center are expected from 2028 at the earliest. Until then, it will be a matter of clarifying the unresolved issues relating to development, the prison layout and the traffic safety center.

January 2026
New building to replace outdated shopping center

A feasibility and potential study has shown that the Migros shopping center in the “Im Funken” area in Zofingen is outdated in terms of use and operation. According to a statement from the town of Zofingen, partial preservation is not an option, so a new replacement building is now to be planned. This new building is at the heart of the plans for a “mixed quarter for shopping, living and working”, which is being planned by Migros Aare, the city of Zofingen and the real estate company Zofimmo AG.

Now that a “first milestone” has been reached with the study, “viable and concrete projects” are to be developed by several teams through a study contract. In a subsequent step, these are then to be legally secured through corresponding municipal planning instruments or a design plan.

The results of the study commission should be available by the end of 2026, with construction starting in 2029 at the earliest. During the possible construction phase, a temporary facility would allow shopping to continue. On completion of the work, residential space is to be created on the existing parking lot by the railroad tracks. In addition to commercial space, residential space is also planned for the green part of the site opposite the old town – but the green character is to be retained.

December 2025
Modernisation of the drinking water supply in Kopfholz

The Schlieren-based construction company STRABAG has begun dismantling and rebuilding the Kopfholz reservoir on behalf of the municipalities of Horgen, Thalwil, Rüschlikon and Kilchberg. According to a statement from STRABAG, the modernisation project is intended to secure the local drinking water supply until 2050. In order to ensure a continuous supply of water, three construction phases are planned for the planned replacement construction. The first construction phase is to be completed by February 2026, with the project scheduled for completion in March 2027.

According to the press release, the municipalities have been operating a joint water supply since 1905. The connection will be continued with the project, which the municipalities believe sends a “strong signal for a sustainable, safe and future-oriented water supply”. Rüschlikon’s storage capacity is expected to increase from 1000 to 1600 cubic metres, and Kilchberg’s from 1500 to 2800 cubic metres.

The press release emphasises the particular challenge faced by the construction teams from the four clients in building the reservoir during ongoing operations. “The reservoir supplies more than 6,000 households with drinking water and the supply must be guaranteed at all times,” Beat Spörndli, Construction Manager, Civil Engineering and Road Construction North-East, is quoted as saying. He also emphasised the “high demands on coordination and hygiene on the construction site”. In addition to compliance with SIA standards (Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects), the use of a special drinking water concrete is a prerequisite. As the construction is subject to the Foodstuffs Act, germ-free water storage must be ensured. The close cooperation between the municipalities enables coordinated planning, minimises interference with the forest area and triggers synergies in tenders and construction processes.

November 2025
Zurich agglomeration needs new buildings

The Zurich agglomeration is the only one in Switzerland where the population is growing faster than the housing stock. This was revealed by a study conducted by the Zurich research institute Sotomo on behalf of Fürschi Züri.

The housing stock in the Lausanne conurbation has grown by 10.0 per cent since 2016, in Geneva by 8.9 per cent and even in Winterthur by 8.5 per cent. In Zurich, the figure was only 7.8 per cent. Within the Zurich agglomeration, the labour market region of Kloten saw above-average growth of 10.9 percent, Uster-Dübendorf 8.6 percent and Limmattal 8.4 percent.

The agglomeration is lagging behind, particularly in terms of new builds, with growth of 3.8 per cent. Only the Basel agglomeration is lower at 2.7 per cent. Lausanne has 5.5 per cent more new builds and Winterthur 5.3 per cent.

Zurich, on the other hand, is ahead with an increase of 4.5 per cent in replacement new builds. However, Zurich is also the agglomeration in which replacement new builds create the lowest number of new flats with a factor of 2.8 and the smallest new living space with a factor of 3.4. Even Winterthur achieves a factor of 3.4 for the number of flats and 3.7 for floor space. Lausanne leads the field with a factor of 6.5 for the number of apartments and 5.9 for floor space, followed by Geneva with 6.1 for the number of apartments and 5.6 for floor space.

There are considerable differences within the Zurich agglomeration. The labour market region of Kloten has a factor of 4.3 for the number of flats. The fewest new flats are being created in Küsnacht-Meilen with a factor of 2.2. In the city of Zurich, the factor for the number of flats is 2.3.

Young people and families are the main direct beneficiaries of new builds. The majority of residents of new builds come from the municipality (Zurich agglomeration 41 per cent, Winterthur 50 per cent) or from the agglomeration (Zurich 39 per cent, Winterthur 11 per cent). Newcomers from abroad mainly move into existing flats; in the agglomeration, they make up 23 per cent of all newcomers to existing flats.

Completely renovated flats are generally more expensive than new builds. Newly occupied existing flats in sought-after locations are just as expensive as new builds, and even more expensive in Geneva. New builds do not drive up the prices of neighbouring existing flats either.

The Zurich conurbation is dependent on new construction, concludes study author Michael Hermann. “New buildings are the key to ensuring that Zurich remains an attractive place to live for everyone,” he is quoted as saying in a press release from Fürschi Züri.

“Blocking renovations and new builds is counterproductive,” adds Raphaël Tschanz, Director of the Zurich Chamber of Commerce(ZHK). “Without new builds, young adults and families will be displaced.”

Fürschi Züri is an initiative of the ZHK and like-minded organisations and individuals.

October 2025
New study emphasises the importance of new replacement construction for relieving housing pressure

“Unloved but necessary replacement new builds” is the title of Raiffeisen Switzerland ‘s study “Real Estate Switzerland – 2Q 2025“. According to the study, replacement new builds create an average of four new flats for every demolished flat. “Despite criticism, there is often no alternative to replacement construction in order to combat the housing shortage without further urban sprawl, as gentler forms of densification, such as conversions and extensions, are not sufficient to maximise the use of scarce building land,” Raiffeisen Switzerland’s Chief Economist Fredy Hasenmaile is quoted as saying in a press release issued by the banking group on the study. He recommends paying “greater attention to social and ecological compatibility” in order to maintain social acceptance of new replacement construction.

According to the authors of the study, the situation on the rental housing market remains characterised by excess demand. Falling interest rates could boost construction activity, according to the press release. “However, it is questionable whether the high construction levels of the past can be achieved again even under negative interest rates, as regulatory hurdles and the very limited availability of building land continue to dampen the potential,” says Hasenmaile.

The study identifies an increase in demand on the owner-occupied property market as a result of falling interest rates. The banking group’s experts have also observed a rising demand for office space. This is due to employment growth and an increased office presence. “After several years of rather mixed prospects, the outlook for office properties has recently brightened noticeably,” says Hasenmaile.

June 2025
Gartenstadt Bergacker living with a future

The approximately 70-year-old buildings on the Bergacker estate are no longer up to date and are in need of renovation. It is not feasible to renovate them while they are occupied, which is why the owners, Swiss Life for the western part of the site and Habitat 8000 for the eastern area, have decided in favour of a comprehensive replacement building.

Test planning was carried out back in 2019 to develop a sustainable urban planning solution. The result is a concept based on four-storey terraced buildings that are arranged along the slope and create generous, green open spaces. These “garden courtyards”, developed by EMI Architekten and Maurus Schifferli Landschaftsarchitekt, tie in with the original garden city idea and promote the quality of life.

Sustainability as a guiding principle
The entire construction project is designed in accordance with the highest sustainability standards and aims to achieve the “Gold” certificate of the Swiss Sustainable Building Standard. Energy is supplied by geothermal probe heat pumps and photovoltaic systems, making the neighbourhood largely self-sufficient in renewable energy. Green roofs and climate-resistant outdoor spaces with wildflower meadows and shady trees promote biodiversity. At the same time, a large proportion of the garden courtyards remain unsealed in order to improve natural water management.
In addition to ecological sustainability, the social component also plays a central role. The new building will create a total of 270 flats with 1.5 to 5.5 rooms, which are aimed at a broad public, from singles and families to older people. The focus is on affordable living space that is suitable for all stages of life.

Living quality through intelligent architecture
The new buildings make optimum use of the hillside location to offer maximum living comfort. A noise-reduced mezzanine floor has been created on the street side, while the rooms on the garden side have generous ceiling heights and offer direct access to the green open spaces. The floor plans are designed in such a way that morning sun in the kitchens and evening sun in the living rooms ensure a pleasant indoor climate. Each flat has two outdoor areas in the form of a loggia, a balcony or a terrace with a private garden.

Particular emphasis is placed on communal areas. In a participatory process, tenants expressed a desire for seating, playgrounds, barbecue areas and urban gardens, which are now being integrated into the planning.

Staggered implementation for a smooth transition
To ensure an orderly transition for residents, the new building will be realised in several stages. The construction project planning should be completed by the end of 2025 before the first construction phase starts in 2026. The first new buildings are expected to be occupied in 2028, while the other construction phases should be completed by 2030.

Swiss Life tenants will be actively supported throughout the entire process. They will receive help in finding accommodation, have priority when re-letting within the neighbourhood and benefit from flexible notice periods.

A showcase project for sustainable living
Gartenstadt Bergacker is becoming a forward-looking neighbourhood that combines sustainable construction with a high quality of living and a social mix. Conscious planning and the involvement of the tenants will create an environment worth living in that fulfils ecological, economic and social requirements in equal measure. The project sends out a strong signal for the future of sustainable living in the city of Zurich.

April 2025
Hafen Enge: Promenade instead of parking lots

Around a hundred years ago, goods were being handled at the port of Enge on Lake Zurich. Today the Enge harbor promenade is an important link between the arboretum and the honeycomb garden, characterized by a narrow promenade, a kiosk and a spacious public parking lot. With the relocation of the 127 parking spaces to a nearby new building, there is now the opportunity to redesign and upgrade the Enge harbor promenade.

After the participation process, the City of Zurich launched a project competition in autumn 2020, which was concluded in May 2021. The competition task comprised the redesign as a harbor promenade including a replacement building for the kiosk with toilet facilities as well as preparatory work for a planned underground seawater center (pumping station).

The winning project is “Porto Stretto” by the Schmid Kuhn Landscape Architects Working Group, Zurich, and Loeliger Strub Architektur GmbH, Zurich. In its overall concept, the project combines the Mythenquai, the honeycomb garden and the arboretum with the varied sequence of promenades and parks. It gives the Enge harbor promenade its own identity. A restrained equipment should allow adjustments to constantly changing usage requirements.

The kiosk, which is designed as a red, iconic wooden structure, underlines the character of the port facility. The generally accessible arbor of the kiosk with a long bench offers covered seating with a view of the lake at any time of the year. A light poplar grove should provide shade. Perennials and shrubs, unsealed soil and a well should contribute to the urban nature and a good local climate.

The city has already started the project planning work. Construction will actually start as soon as the parking spaces can be relocated – probably at the beginning of 2026.

October 2021