immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Gebäudesanierung

  • Technology fund supports AI-based energy optimisation

    Technology fund supports AI-based energy optimisation

    Scandens can finance upcoming business developments with a guarantee from the technology fund. According to a statement by Dominik Bucher, co-founder and CCO of the Zurich-based cleantech company, receiving this guarantee confirms its approach: “Enabling the right investment decisions for real estate portfolios – economically sound and future-proof” while making the best possible decisions for the climate and the environment. “We are delighted to be part of the technology fund,” said Bucher.

    Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, the company launched software in 2023 that makes it easier to plan and implement energy-efficient building renovations. With this artificial intelligence-based internet application, owners of real estate portfolios as well as private homeowners can check whether and which renovation measures make economic and ecological sense.

    According to a statement from Scandens, the software displays over 500 renovation combinations and creates a plan that serves as a basis for implementation. This is intended to save time and promote sustainable decisions.

    With the technology fund, the federal government promotes innovations that reduce greenhouse gases or resource consumption, favour the use of renewable energies and increase energy efficiency. Guarantees make it easier for innovative companies to take out loans. The guarantee is granted to banks or other suitable lenders. To cover guarantee losses, a maximum of CHF 25 million per year from the proceeds of the CO2 levy is paid into a technology fund.

  • Canton of Nidwalden triples funding for energy-efficient building renovation

    Canton of Nidwalden triples funding for energy-efficient building renovation

    In its 2026 energy promotion programme, the Nidwalden Cantonal Council has decided to increase subsidies for energy-efficient building renovations by 300 per cent to 2.9 million Swiss francs. Together with federal funds, this means that a record annual budget of CHF 6.3 million is available, according to a statement. This cantonal subsidy programme supports owners who optimise their building envelope, replace fossil fuel or electric heating systems with renewable energy systems, or construct energy-efficient new buildings.

    According to the information provided, demand for subsidies was “exceptionally high” in 2025. The canton expects a further sharp increase in applications in 2026, particularly due to the expansion of district heating networks. In addition, tax breaks will be abolished in the future, which is also likely to cause demand to rise further this year.

    According to the information provided, energy-efficient building renovation – a key pillar for achieving the canton’s emission targets by 2035 – will only succeed if owners are willing to invest in their properties. “In doing so, they are making a major contribution to reducing greenhouse gases and saving energy,” said Environment Director Joe Christen.

    Although the subsidy can only cover a small portion of the investment, these investments are worthwhile in the long term when combined with tax savings and lower heating costs. “On average,” says Christen, “one franc of funding triggers almost ten times that amount in investment. Most of this added value remains in the canton, strengthening local businesses and helping to reduce the outflow of money abroad thanks to renewable energies.”

    The canton of Nidwalden is one of the exhibitors at the SWISS Pavilion at the Singapore Airshow. The international aviation trade fair takes place from 3 to 8 February.

  • Construction project becomes a learning laboratory for students and researchers

    Construction project becomes a learning laboratory for students and researchers

    The two ETH departments of Architecture and Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering are turning the complete renovation and extension of the HIL building on the ETH Hönggerberg campus into a research project. Instead of handing over the construction planning to an external planning office, an internal planning team involving professors, mid-level staff and students will be responsible for it, according to an ETH report. They will use their diverse construction expertise to research interventions and constructions in the HIL Living Lab in order to advance sustainable, circular and resource-saving construction in existing buildings.

    The HIL building was constructed between 1972 and 1976 and serves as the main building for the two architecture and construction departments. It has 800 workstations, 1600 seats in lecture theatres and seminar rooms as well as large drawing rooms and has reached the end of its first life cycle. In particular, there is reportedly a considerable need for refurbishment in terms of fire protection and building services. In addition, the striking building envelope is insufficiently insulated.

    In addition, the building is to be significantly expanded and extended by around 2035, as the ONA architecture centre is to be abandoned and integrated. The project also addresses the central question of how work, teaching and research should be organised at the HIL in the future. The aim is to create a modern space that is more conducive to interaction and collaboration with so-called hybrid teaching and learning landscapes. Those involved still want to define what this means in concrete terms.

    “The Living Lab enables us to incorporate teaching and research directly into a building project,” says Professor of Architecture Matthias Kohler on the project website. He initiated the project together with the Director of the ETH Real Estate Department, Hannes Pichler. “The fact that we are researching our own ‘home’ makes it all the more exciting for us because we can help shape our future.”

  • Federal government waives new financial incentives for building refurbishment

    Federal government waives new financial incentives for building refurbishment

    Energy-efficient building renovations do not need to be promoted through further financial incentives in addition to the existing financing options and funding programmes. This is the conclusion of the report on the postulate “Financing options for energy-efficient building renovations” adopted by the Federal Council on 6 June. In a press release, the Federal Council explains that it shows that energy-efficient building renovations do not primarily fail due to a lack of financial resources.

    Instead, the report recommends placing greater emphasis on information and advice, the quality of data on the condition of buildings, the sustainable structuring of mortgages and measures to combat the shortage of skilled labour in order to promote building renovations. In terms of information and advice, the Confederation and cantons are recognised as offering a good range of services. Transparency regarding the energy status of buildings should be improved by the CO2 Act, which has been in force since 2025. In addition, renovation behaviour could be influenced in future by the Climate and Innovation Act, the revised CO2 Act, further developments in cantonal legislation and greater transparency in mortgage lending.

  • “Best of Research 2024” goes to Lisa Pantenburg

    “Best of Research 2024” goes to Lisa Pantenburg

    The “Best of Research 2024” award from the Swiss Real Estate Institute is considered one of the most important awards in the field of property research. Lisa Pantenburg impressed the jury with her thesis on the decarbonisation of the Swiss building stock. The award ceremony took place as part of the Swiss Real Estate Institute’s symposium at the HWZ in Zurich, where the best scientific papers of the year were presented.

    Focus on climate targets and building refurbishment
    The award-winning work analyses the challenges and opportunities associated with the decarbonisation of the building stock. The aim is to show ways in which Switzerland can achieve the net-zero target by 2050. The focus is on owners of owner-occupied single-family homes and rented apartment buildings, who must be specifically motivated to implement energy-efficient renovations.

    Example project as a pioneer of the energy transition
    A single-family home in Zurich, which has been modernised with comprehensive energy measures, provides an illustrative example of the possibilities of building refurbishment. By installing a heat pump and a photovoltaic system as well as improving the building envelope, annual energy savings of over 30% were achieved. This project illustrates the potential of sustainable refurbishments, which make a significant contribution to achieving climate targets.

    Research for a sustainable future
    Lisa Pantenburg’s work not only provides theoretical findings, but also practical recommendations for action. She sheds light on the social, legal and economic aspects that are necessary to increase the renovation rate in Switzerland. These results show how research can make an important contribution to the sustainable development of the property sector.

    Lisa Pantenburg’s award emphasises the importance of excellent scientific work and highlights how innovative thinking can overcome the challenges of the energy transition.

  • Building program for energy-efficient renovations records record demand

    Building program for energy-efficient renovations records record demand

    A record year has been reported for the federal and cantonal building program. According to a press release, subsidies amounting to CHF 528 million were paid out in 2023. This is the highest amount since the program was introduced in 2010 and represents an increase of 25 percent compared to the previous year.

    Over their lifespan, the funded measures led to an energy reduction in buildings of 11.2 billion kilowatt hours and 3.4 million tons less CO2 emissions, according to the report.

    The reasons for the increased demand are the topics of energy supply security and energy saving, which continue to be of great importance to the public. As a result of rising energy costs, the cantons have increased their funding budgets and, in some cases, subsidies, thereby creating incentives in the renovation sector.

    It also states that, in addition to disbursements, commitments for subsidies for energy-related measures that will be implemented and paid out over the next five years have almost reached their 2022 peak of CHF 592 million at CHF 587 million.

    Most of this was spent on renovation projects for building services. The subsidy francs will be used to replace 26,500 heating systems over the next few years. CHF 114 million has been earmarked for system renovations.

    In addition to the climate targets, the building program had a positive effect on employment and added value. 3,000 full-time equivalents and 150 million francs in additional domestic added value were generated as a result.

  • Career prospects in Swiss timber construction

    Career prospects in Swiss timber construction

    The importance of the timber construction industry
    The timber construction industry plays a key role in Switzerland, particularly in the area of sustainable construction and energy-efficient building refurbishment. Building with wood is an environmentally friendly and climate-neutral method that ensures minimal energy consumption both during the construction phase (grey energy) and during the subsequent operation of the building. The timber construction industry makes a significant contribution to shaping Switzerland’s future.

    Career prospects and further training options
    Once they have completed their basic training, trained carpenters have numerous options open to them: They can work as highly qualified specialists in the company, gain experience on the mill or abroad or continue their education to become a foreman, foreman, technician or engineer, all the way up to master craftsman. If the vocational baccalaureate has not already been completed during the basic training programme, it can be completed as a full-time course of study within a year of completing the basic training programme. This enables a seamless transition to a higher technical college or university of applied sciences without examinations. The career plan for timber construction in Switzerland offers the opportunity for lifelong learning, individual further training and specialisation as well as various advanced training courses. Training as an energy consultant, project manager for solar systems or craftsman in monument preservation are just a few examples. A career in timber construction thus offers the opportunity to develop and orientate yourself individually according to your own wishes and needs.

    Carpenter EFZ
    Carpenters at EFZ level mainly work with wood and are proficient in timber construction activities. They work as generalists in operations as well as in shell construction and finishing. They are familiar with the requirements of the building trade and work with other tradespeople involved in construction.

    WoodworkerEBA
    Your career start with good prospects. The profession of woodworker EBA (Federal Vocational Certificate) is an independent, two-year basic training programme in the wood industry. It covers a wide range of activities in the woodworking industry as well as in timber construction.

    Certified technician
    HF Holztechnik
    HF timber construction technicians plan timber constructions independently on the basis of project plans and manage their realisation. They take on management tasks within the company or manage a department. As a team leader on the construction site, they coordinate the work with the other tradespeople.

    Vocationalbaccalaureate and business administration/entrepreneurship degree programme
    The vocational baccalaureate and the business administration degree programme NDS are industry-independent training courses. While the vocational baccalaureate primarily deepens general knowledge, the business administration programme imparts knowledge for entrepreneurial activities in higher management positions.

    Master timber construction technician with a federal diploma
    Master timber construction technicians manage a timber construction company or a larger department. They have overall responsibility for the technical, economic and personnel management, organisation and further development of the company. They liaise closely with customers, suppliers and architects.

    Dipl. Techniker/in
    HF Baufführung Holzbau
    Graduates work as a designer or operations manager in a timber company. Thanks to their extensive skills, they are “generalists for modern timber construction”: from preparing quotations, planning and realisation to execution control and invoicing.

    Master of Science in Wood Technology
    This degree programme, which is unique in Europe, combines practical relevance with research and development. The programme enables students to work in timber construction and in all processing stages of the timber industry from a technical, business and ecological perspective.

    Bachelor of Science in Wood Technology
    The training concept covers a broad spectrum – from raw materials and semi-finished products to supporting structures, furniture and energy-efficient buildings. The focus is on intelligent and innovative solutions for modern timber construction as well as sustainable products and processes using wood.

  • Scandens presents digital redevelopment planning

    Scandens presents digital redevelopment planning

    With its innovative software technology,Scandens wants to revolutionise digital renovation and investment planning for the decarbonisation of buildings. According to a media release, the Scandens web app provides users – homeowners, energy advisors, financial institutions, public authorities as well as architecture and construction firms – with an analysis of the current climate compatibility of the property with just a few clicks. It is intended to show over 400 different renovation strategies and concrete measures with which the current CO2 footprint and energy consumption of the building can be reduced.

    The spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich(ETH) was founded in 2021 and supported by the Migros Pioneer Fund. The machine learning algorithms were developed at ETH and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, according to the founders. The software reportedly combines them with the latest energy modelling techniques for digital twins and official planning standards.

    It updates the entire planning process, from data collection to feasibility testing and component and building design to economic calculation and CO2 balancing, including grey emissions. According to Scandens co-founder Dominik Bucher, the pilot customers have confirmed in daily use that “with our solution, time savings of 80 percent are possible. Our product will have a lasting impact on the construction and real estate industry.”