immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Gestaltung

  • A balancing act between aesthetics and functionality – façade greening

    A balancing act between aesthetics and functionality – façade greening

    The greening of buildings has been an integral part of architectural design since ancient times, from the Hanging Gardens of Semiramis to the green façades of modern metropolises. Today, green façades are not only used for aesthetic enhancement, but also for practical benefits: They improve the microclimate, provide protection against heat, filter fine dust, promote biodiversity and have a sound-absorbing effect. They also protect the building from the weather and potentially increase the property value.

    Challenges and solutions
    Despite the obvious benefits, there are legitimate concerns about potential damage to the building fabric caused by plant roots or moisture. However, modern greening systems, such as wall-mounted and ground-mounted techniques, offer solutions that minimise the risk. Wall-mounted systems, including linear, modular and flat designs, allow precise control over growth and water supply and are particularly suitable for new buildings. The choice of plants depends on the local conditions and the chosen system, with self-climbers and scaffold climbers being popular options.

    Future prospects
    Careful planning is essential for the successful integration of façade greening into the urban environment. In addition to the aesthetic component, functional aspects such as fire protection and maintenance must also be taken into account. Cooperation between architects, urban planners and building owners plays a decisive role in sustainably utilising the many benefits of façade greening and designing urban living spaces for the future.

  • Energy Cluster invites to one-day course on photovoltaic façades

    Energy Cluster invites to one-day course on photovoltaic façades

    The Energy Cluster network based in Bern invites interested parties to a day course on photovoltaic facades (PV facades) at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts(HSLU) on 12 September. From 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., speakers will shed light on various aspects of house facades for the production of solar energy, according to a media release.

    Accordingly, David Stickelberger, Head of Market and Policy at Swissolar, will discuss the political framework conditions for PV façades from 9 a.m. onwards. From 9.30 a.m., Christoph Wangler, Product Owner PV Systems at 3S Swiss Solar Solutions, will address the question of how sustainable solar modules are.

    From 10.40 a.m., Roger Buser, lecturer in building technology and energy at the HSLU, will discuss the process steps from a rough estimate to the construction project. Pierre-Olivier Cuche, Managing Director at Solarwall, will then talk about the architecture and design of PV façades. From 11.40 a.m. Andreas Haller, Head of Innovation Solar Systems at Ernst Schweizer AG, will talk about implementation planning and installation.

    After the lunch break, the talk will continue with the topic of fire protection in a presentation by Christian Renken, Managing Director of CREnergie GmbH. From 2 p.m. Renken will be devoting himself to the topic of performance and economic efficiency.

    He will be followed by Stefan Gränicher, Project Manager Real Estate Development at Frutiger AG, with his impulse on profitability from the perspective of a real estate developer. Robin Bergamin, Consulting & Sales at Invisia AG, will then talk about energy management and the best possible use of electricity.

    The last lecture of the day is by Sina Büttner, research associate at the Institute for Building Technology and Energy at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, on optimal façade design with solar systems and greening in view of climate change.

  • Wüest Partner receives Great Place to Work certification

    Wüest Partner receives Great Place to Work certification

    “We are very pleased about the Great Place to Work certification. Commitment, mutual appreciation and trust have always been part of our corporate culture. The award reflects our ongoing commitment to a strong workplace culture in which our employees can develop their full potential,” says Patrik Schmid, CEO at Wüest Partner.

    The Great Place to Work certification is based on the Trust IndexTM, a standardised and internationally recognised survey instrument. Between June 2022 and the beginning of July 2023, Wüest Partner employees in Germany and Switzerland were surveyed on 60 statements regarding workplace culture. The topics of the survey included trust in managers, team spirit, appreciation, respect and identification with the company. The final evaluation is based on the Trust IndexTM score, which is calculated from the average agreement with all standardised Trust IndexTM statements.

    Wüest Partner Germany achieved an impressive Trust IndexTM score of 79 per cent, Wüest Partner Switzerland even 86 per cent. These excellent results underline Wüest Partner’s commitment to creating a positive and trusting working environment in which employees feel valued and supported.

    “Our employees are Wüest Partner’s most important asset. In a highly competitive labour market, it is important to position ourselves as an attractive employer and to set ourselves up optimally for the future. This also includes investing in a good corporate and workplace culture. The award is therefore an additional motivation for all of us to continue on our chosen course,” says Marion Fürbeth, Head Group HR at Wüest Partner.

  • University of St. Gallen, new campus by Pascal Flammer

    University of St. Gallen, new campus by Pascal Flammer

    The University of St. Gallen is running out of space. A second campus is therefore being built on the Platztor site at Unteren Graben in order to continue to fulfill its core tasks in teaching and research in a high-quality manner. Not only will space be created for research and teaching, but a new piece of the city will also be added. The architectural competition for the design of the new urban building block has been decided.

    The new campus should one day offer enough space for the training of 3,000 students. A large auditorium with space for 400 people is planned for the two basement floors. A spacious park will be created around the building, which, like the building, will be open to the public.

    59 projects were submitted to the open competition. After none of them were unreservedly convincing, the jury decided on an anonymous level of adjustment. In the end, Pascal Flammer's “House in the Park” project prevailed. Flammer's proposal envisages a building eighty meters long and forty meters wide that will stand in the middle of a public park. To do this, the building is set back from the street. The six-story building made of wood, concrete and glass appears light and transparent on the visualizations.

    The public-oriented uses such as the cafeteria are oriented towards St. Gallen's beautiful old town. When developing the campus, Flammer focused on public transport. From the existing campus, you can walk above and below ground to the new building.

    After construction begins in 2025, the building is expected to be operational in 2029. For the urban development of St. Gallen, the project means a big step into the future.