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  • Swiss premiere in building automation

    Swiss premiere in building automation

    Today’s modern buildings are highly complex systems. They combine heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, security, photovoltaics and storage solutions to form an integrated whole. Building automation ensures that these components work together optimally, with less energy consumption, more stable operation and greater comfort. In the context of the Energy Strategy 2050 and the decarbonization of the building stock, the need for specialists who understand both technology and data and system logic is growing rapidly. The state recognition of the Building Automation HF course takes this need into account and creates a clearly defined, quality-assured career path

    First state-recognized Building Automation HF in Switzerland
    sfb in Dietikon is the first university of applied sciences in Switzerland to successfully pass the recognition procedure of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation for its Building Automation HF course. The degree is thus federally recognized and embedded in the formal education system. According to the school management, this guarantees training that is geared towards the current requirements of the industry, standards and regulation and remains compatible in the long term. At the same time, the recognition strengthens the visibility of the profession vis-à-vis building owners, planning offices, energy suppliers and the real estate industry

    Practical profile from energy efficiency to building informatics
    In terms of content, the course has a clear practical focus. It teaches specialist skills in energy efficiency, building IT, networked systems and modern automation solutions. From sensor and control technology to data analysis and optimization in operation. The aim is to train specialists who can support the entire life cycle of smart buildings, from planning and design, project management, commissioning, operation, maintenance and ongoing optimization. This broad qualification creates the basis for sustainable, economical building solutions and enables companies to reduce operating costs, emissions and failure risks

    Specialists for the digital transformation in the building sector
    Building automation specialists HF work at the interface between technology, IT and operations. They understand building technology systems as well as data rooms, interfaces and security requirements. For companies in the fields of building technology, energy, facility management and real estate development, this means a tangible competitive advantage. They gain access to specialists who are proficient in the latest technologies and can also actively drive forward the digital transformation of buildings. According to sfb, it is precisely this profile that is in demand when it comes to putting smart building and net zero strategies into practice

    Course structure and target groups
    The recognized course is aimed at specialists with relevant basic vocational training in the electrical, HVAC, building or IT professions. In six semesters, the course leads to the final thesis and the protected title of “Certified Building Automation Technician HF”.

  • How the old real estate market is slowing down the new China

    How the old real estate market is slowing down the new China

    For years, the real estate sector was China’s most important growth engine. Build, sell, keep building. This was the simple formula that at times accounted for up to a third of economic output. With stricter requirements to limit debt, the leadership put the brakes on this model, triggering a creeping but persistent crisis.

    Evergrande was the visible turning point in 2021. The former industry star missed interest payments, became a global warning figure and suddenly made it clear how vulnerable the growth model was. Since then, developers such as Country Garden and now Vanke, which had long been considered stable, have come under pressure. A signal that the real estate sector has not yet bottomed out.

    Deflation, wealth shock and insecure households
    The real estate crisis is eating deep into the real economy. Residential real estate is the central store of wealth for Chinese households. When prices fall in series, the sense of security erodes. Those who see their own apartment as a retirement provision become reluctant to consume, invest and make major life decisions.

    Domestic consumption is correspondingly weak. Retail trade is growing at a rate well below previous levels and the economy is struggling with persistent deflationary pressure. Falling or stagnating prices may seem attractive in the short term, but they increase the debt burden in real terms and prolong the clean-up process in the real estate and financial system.

    Provinces in the debt shadow
    The situation of local governments is particularly delicate. Provinces and cities have accumulated a gigantic mountain of debt through land sales to developers and off-balance sheet financing companies. Land sales were the most important source of income, but were never enough to sustain the credit-financed construction boom and infrastructure programs. Now that sales are collapsing, the hidden debts are coming to light.

    Many regions are being forced into a silent diet. Investments are being postponed, spending cut, new infrastructure delayed. This has direct consequences for growth, employment and local businesses. The crisis is therefore less a loud crash than a slow pressure that weakens the system for years and restricts the scope for action.

    Old real estate-driven economy meets new tech power
    At the same time, China is presenting itself as a high-tech superpower. Electric car manufacturers, AI companies and internet companies that are reinventing themselves represent the “new China”. Politicians are focusing on a long-term technology strategy with a focus on electromobility, semiconductors, AI, renewable energies and robotics.

    However, this new economy is built on a foundation of the old, real estate-driven economic structure. Without stable domestic demand, reliable credit channels and household confidence, the tech sector will not be able to fully develop its dynamism. The path to success therefore does not lead past an orderly dismantling of the real estate sector, but through it.

    Growth targets as a boomerang
    Beijing is sticking to its ambitious growth targets. The target of “around 5%” is achievable because the state and state-owned companies are taking countermeasures in many areas. For conscious cadres on the ground, the signal remains clear: the numbers have to add up, if necessary with additional projects that have little economic impact.

    The result is new infrastructure and construction projects that support GDP in the short term but do not solve the structural problems. On the contrary, they prolong the debt cycle. This creates a tension between the official growth story and the real need for deleveraging in the real estate and local debt complex.

    What is at stake until 2026
    The coming years will determine whether China manages the transition from a debt-driven, real estate-heavy model to an innovation-based growth path. If a controlled contraction of the real estate sector can be achieved while at the same time strengthening consumption, productivity and future-oriented industries, the country can remain robust despite dents. If this balancing act fails, a scenario of sustained low growth with recurring bouts of deflation and growing mistrust among investors looms.

    The real estate crisis is not a marginal issue, but the central test of China’s ability to correct its economic course. The decisive factor will be whether the political leadership and administration find the courage to put short-term growth targets into perspective in favor of a more sustainable, less property-driven model and thus not allow the new China to be crushed by the old.

  • Real estate market 2026 stable tailwind from low interest rates, AI boom and scarce space

    Real estate market 2026 stable tailwind from low interest rates, AI boom and scarce space

    According to estimates, the Swiss National Bank is leaving the key interest rate at 0% for 2026 and signaling that the hurdles for a return to negative interest rates remain high. The conditional inflation forecasts of around 0.3% for 2026 and 0.6% for 2027 are clearly within the range of price stability and support a moderate growth scenario. For the real estate market, this means that short-term financing, particularly SARON mortgages, will remain attractive, while long-term fixed-rate mortgages will only benefit hesitantly from monetary easing.

    Real estate as an investment
    Wüest Partner has observed that investment properties with rental apartments will become significantly more expensive again in 2025, reflecting a high willingness to pay and strong confidence in the asset class. At the same time, prices for multi-family homes have reached a very high level, while earnings prospects and regulatory risks are dampening the imagination. A flattening of price momentum is therefore expected for 2026, both for residential yield properties and commercial properties. With clear differentiation according to location, property quality and ESG profile. Indirect investments such as public limited companies and funds continue to benefit from the low interest rate environment, but already carry high expectations in the form of above-average premiums.

    Boost in renovation, moderate new construction
    The combination of low interest rates and slowing construction price momentum is stabilizing the willingness to invest in construction. Nominal growth in construction investment of around 3.4% in new construction and 8.5% in renovation is expected in 2026, with the renovation sector receiving an additional boost from pull-forward effects related to the planned abolition of the imputed rental value. Many owners are likely to prefer energy-efficient renovations and refurbishments as long as maintenance costs are still fully tax-deductible. In the medium term, new construction activity could slow down again somewhat, as the number of new apartments in planning applications has recently declined.

    Rental and property market
    Following the sharp rise in rents in 2023 and 2024, the growth in asking rents has slowed considerably. Moderate growth in the national average is expected for 2026. At the same time, the reduction in the mortgage reference interest rate will provide relief for existing rents. This could lead to a slight decline in average rents for existing properties. Demand for residential property remains intact despite higher price levels. For 2026, price increases of around 3% are expected for single-family homes and slightly less for condominiums, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years.

    Investment outlook for 2026
    Zürcher Kantonalbank expects moderate global economic growth in 2026, driven by falling inflationary pressure and improved financing conditions. Advances in artificial intelligence are driving investment and providing an additional tailwind for US equities in particular, while uncertainty on the financial markets remains high. In this environment, broad diversification across asset classes and currencies is recommended, with selected areas of focus. Corporate bonds, Swiss real estate and small caps are considered attractive, supplemented by global corporate bonds and gold as stabilizing additions. Direct and indirect real estate investments therefore remain an important building block for long-term investors. Embedded in a portfolio that benefits equally from AI-driven growth and the persistently low interest rate environment.

  • How much of the past can densification tolerate?

    How much of the past can densification tolerate?

    The Brunnergut estate was built in two stages in the mid-1950s and early 1960s and marked the transition to the functionalist, automotive city. As one of Winterthur’s first residential ensembles with underground parking, it replaced the Villa Malabar and reshaped an entire inner block between Lindstrasse, Kreuzstrasse, Sulzbergstrasse and St. Georgenstrasse. The 1954 planning application itself sparked a fierce controversy. Early debates about density, traffic and cityscape, as they occupy the entire agglomeration today

    in 2016, the city of Winterthur added Brunnergut to the inventory of buildings worthy of protection, followed by its entry in the cantonal inventory of listed buildings of supra-municipal importance in 2018. This made it clear that the estate was not only considered everyday architecture, but also an ensemble with architectural and socio-historical significance that should be taken into account in any further planning

    Legal ping-pong over protection
    With the cantonal dismissal in 2024, the building department wanted to relax the protection status again. Based on an expert opinion from the cantonal monument preservation commission and subsequent additions. The Zurich Heritage Society challenged this, and the Building Appeal Court demanded a supplementary or top-level expert opinion during the proceedings and criticized gaps in the expert assessment

    At the same time, the Winterthur city council planned to remove Brunnergut from the municipal inventory. The Zurich Heritage Society lodged another appeal against this. In its decision of November 6, 2025, the Building Appeals Court has now ruled that the city is unlawfully relying unilaterally on the KDK report and that the facts of the case have not been sufficiently clarified for the property to be removed from the inventory. The judges demanded an expert opinion from an independent expert who had not previously been involved. A clear signal for higher requirements for the justification of de-protection decisions

    More than just a technical issue of monument preservation
    The criticism focuses not only on formal deficiencies, but also on gaps in content. Imprecise plans, insufficient discussion of the qualities identified in the inventory sheet and an insufficient appreciation of the social and economic-historical significance. Specifically, the court criticized the fact that the role of the estate as an early example of dense, car-oriented post-war modernism and as part of Winterthur’s settlement history was not seriously included in the comparison with other estates

    For urban planning and the real estate industry, Brunnergut is therefore far more than an isolated case. The procedure shows how strongly inventory decisions must be legally and professionally underpinned today if they are to survive in an environment of housing shortages, pressure to densify and politically heated debates about objections and heritage protection

    What the case means for future projects
    The Zürcher Heimatschutz sees the decision as a strengthening of the inventory concept. Inventories are not mere lists, but planning instruments that must meet high standards before they can be dismantled. For cities like Winterthur, this means that anyone wishing to subsequently remove protection must transparently explain why arguments relating to building culture, urban development and social history outweigh the interests of densification, renewal or returns

    For investors, owners and planners, this increases the importance of well-documented surveys and early involvement of heritage conservation. Especially in the case of post-war housing estates, which were long regarded as “ordinary” existing buildings. Brunnergut shows that the second half of the 20th century is increasingly understood as part of the architectural heritage and that the path to conversion or replacement construction will in future often lead via independent expert reports and carefully balanced conservation concepts

  • Training offensive for networked building technology

    Training offensive for networked building technology

    The sfb is the first university of applied sciences in Switzerland whose Building Automation HF course has successfully completed the recognition procedure of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). “This guarantees the highest quality, state-recognized qualifications and training that meets the current requirements of the industry,” said sfb Director Dorothea Tiefenauer in a press release. The demands placed on modern buildings are constantly increasing, it continues. The sfb – College of Technology and Management can now respond even better to the great demand for qualified specialists thanks to the recognition of the course.

    According to the description, the course content is consistently geared towards practice. Knowledge of energy efficiency, building IT, networked systems and modern automation solutions is taught. The aim is to qualify students for the planning and implementation, but also the operation and maintenance of complex, smart networked buildings. According to sfb, this range creates the basis for sustainable and long-term economical building solutions. For companies, this development of expertise means a decisive competitive advantage, it says. Graduates are specialists who are not only proficient in current technologies, but can also actively shape the digital transformation.

    The course takes students who have completed relevant vocational training to complete their thesis in six semesters. Graduates are ultimately awarded the title of qualified building automation technician HF. The sfb organizes information events to provide an insight into the content and structure of the course. Both individuals and companies are invited to attend.

  • Railroad modernization in the sensitive Alpine region

    Railroad modernization in the sensitive Alpine region

    STRABAG AG is carrying out the outstanding renovation work on the Zentralbahn line between Meiringen and Brienzwiler in the Bernese Oberland. The narrow-gauge line runs on a single track along the Hasliaare, which is part of the Aare flood plain. Out of consideration for several nature conservation areas, “maximum precision for logistics and coordination” is required for the new construction, according to a press release. Preparatory work began in March 2025 and the ten-week intensive phase has been underway since October 2025.

    Heavy rainfall events had repeatedly occurred in the area, causing the railroad embankment and superstructure to flood, resulting in damage to the railroad infrastructure and adjacent cultivated land. STRABAG already carried out track construction work there in 2022 and 2023 (lots 1 and 3). The modernization project will now be completed with a total reconstruction of the challenging middle section of lot 2 over a length of 2600 meters and in the middle of the Sytenwald nature reserve. This involves raising the railroad embankment. To allow surface and slope water to drain away, a continuous planned drainage system will be installed along the route. The area along the Hasliaare will receive a new flood protection wall.

    According to the press release, the “tight space conditions and local lack of redundant construction slopes in certain sections between the Hasliaare, the railroad line and several nature conservation areas” are a special construction feature, which requires special precautions for ecology and landscape protection. On the one hand, STRABAG is building 30 new foundations for the catenary masts on the side facing away from the river, and on the other, 37 crossings are to ensure the ecological continuity of the terrain. This means protection for wildlife and small animals when crossing the section.

    A particularly challenging component is the new construction of the Hüsenbach bridge made of ultra-high-strength and durable fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPC). During bridge construction, special consideration was given to the trout population present there at spawning time.

  • Million-euro financing accelerates autonomous construction site technology

    Million-euro financing accelerates autonomous construction site technology

    Venture capital firms from three continents have invested in Gravis Robotics: The spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, founded in 2022, has raised 23 million dollars in an early financing round, according to its information.

    The round was led by the venture capital companies IQ Capital from London and Zacua Ventures from San Francisco. Pear VC from Palo Alto, California, Imad Ventures from the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, Sunna Ventures from Miami and the Zurich-based company Armada Investment as well as the globally active cement manufacturer Holcim from Zug also participated.

    Gravis Robotics offers autonomous earthmoving machines that combine artificial intelligence, machine vision and human interfaces to increase throughput, reduce waste and improve safety on construction sites, whether the operators are in the cab or coordinating the work remotely.

    With the recent funding, Gravis now has the technology, partnerships and global distribution channels across the industry to drive the adoption of true autonomy on a large scale, the company said. In addition, it also announced “a wave” of new industry partnerships. For example, Gravis Robotics has partnered with Taylor Woodrow in the UK on a major infrastructure project at Manchester Airport, carrying out the first autonomous excavation work on a major active construction site in the country. There are also agreements with Holcim and the South Korean company HD Hyundai.

    The fastest route to autonomy is through increasing productivity, CEO Dr. Ryan Luke Johns is quoted as saying. “By providing operators with real-time 3D intelligence and the ability to seamlessly switch between autonomy and advanced control, we are covering more of the work, accelerating the application and creating the data pipeline needed to learn new skills from the industry’s most challenging tasks.“ The company considers it an advantage to have its Zurich headquarters “at the heart of the renowned robotics and automation ecosystem”.

  • Modern site project in Sittertobel focusses on renewable energies

    Modern site project in Sittertobel focusses on renewable energies

    Sitter Projekt AG and Mettler Entwickler AG are realising the Sitter Valley in St.Gallen’s Sittertobel. The two St.Gallen companies want to develop an area of 50,000 square metres here for offices, commerce and industry with up to 600 workplaces.

    St.Gallen’s public utility company will supply the site with energy for heating and cooling. According to a press release, they are relying on a combined energy supply with a wood pellet boiler and a reversible air/water heat pump. The pellet heating system will primarily be used in the winter months. The first heat supply is scheduled for winter 2026/2027.

    The Sitter Valley is also to be equipped with photovoltaic systems. These will contribute to the site’s electricity supply.

  • Selection of future-oriented start-ups strengthens digital property development

    Selection of future-oriented start-ups strengthens digital property development

    A total of 95 young companies applied for Swiss Prime Site ‘s 27th Accelerator Programme. of these, 21 were allowed to present themselves and eight reached the final. Four of them have now been selected to work with the property company, according to a press release from Venturelab. The Schlieren-based start-up promoter is working with Swiss Prime Site on the programme and is conducting the associated workshops.

    The winning companies are Jurata AG, Legartis Technology AG, Optiverse AG and Epic Fusion AG. All four are active in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), the focus of the current Accelerator programme. Jurata develops solutions for law, accounting and taxes, Legartis for contract review and analysis. Optiverse is working on using AI to make meetings more efficient, while Epic Fusion is optimising workplaces.

    “I was really impressed with the quality of the presentations. Each project was well prepared and professionally presented, with a clear business case for Swiss Prime Site,” said Victor Wolff Casado, Digital Project Manager at Swiss Prime Site. “Venturelab’s unique start-up network and expertise help us to drive innovation in a systematic and fast process.”

  • Construction industry sets an example in terms of quality, innovation and tradition

    Construction industry sets an example in terms of quality, innovation and tradition

    Maulini SA was awarded the Prix SVC Genève 2025 on 27 November, according to a press release. Founded in 1910, the company employs around 270 people. It is active in the construction of new residential, industrial and administrative buildings as well as the renovation, transformation and insulation of listed and contemporary buildings in Geneva and the region. The company has also been offering services as a general contractor for ten years.

    The jury of the Prix SVC was impressed by the history of the family business with its four generations and the commitment of the teams and management. “In a sector where it is not easy to anchor innovation in everyday life, we have been able to observe the development of a family business that consistently endeavours to ensure its impact and sustainability,” said jury president Sophie Dubuis in the press release. “This award recognises its strong local roots, its innovative spirit and its excellence.”

    This is the third time that the Swiss Venture Club(SVC) has awarded the Prix SVC Genève. More than 700 guests from business, politics, society and the media attended the award ceremony at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. The aim of the event was to “highlight the entrepreneurial diversity of the region”, according to the press release.

    The other finalists included watch supplier Fiedler SA in Carouge GE, landscaper Jacquet SA and the La Colline physiotherapy group in Geneva, as well as Pneus Claude SA in Satigny GE.

  • Electrochemical breakthrough in the fight against contaminated sites

    Electrochemical breakthrough in the fight against contaminated sites

    According to a press release, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH) have achieved a breakthrough in the remediation of contaminants such as DDT and lindane. These are persistent organic pollutants, or POPs. These are toxic chemicals that were widely used in the 1940s to 1980s. They degrade very slowly and can now be found in the food chain of humans and animals. The university team led by Bill Morandi, Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, has now developed a novel electrochemical process that completely dehalogenates these environmental toxins and binds them in harmless salt. The remaining organic hydrocarbons can be fed into the circular economy and thus serve as valuable raw materials for the chemical industry.

    “We wanted to solve one of the biggest environmental problems of the last century. It is unacceptable to leave the dirt to future generations,” Alberto Garrido-Castro, electrochemistry specialist and former postdoc in the group, is quoted as saying in the press release. The ETH team sees the remediation of such contaminated sites in soil, water and landfills as one of the major unresolved issues in environmental protection. The degradation of these chemicals using electrochemical processes has been investigated for some time. According to the press release, the ETH researchers have now achieved the decisive breakthrough with the use of alternating current in electrolysis. “It splits the halogen atoms into harmless salts such as NaCl (common salt) and produces valuable hydrocarbons at the same time,” explains Morandi. The hydrocarbons are benzene, diphenylethane or cyclododecatriene. Chemicals that are used in the production of plastics, paints or coatings and therefore contribute to a sustainable circular economy.

    An important prerequisite for implementation is that the new process can be applied not only to pure substances, but also to mixtures of contaminated soil, earth or sludge. The researchers are considering mobile systems that can be used on site, which would eliminate the need to transport these hazardous substances. A prototype has already been successfully tested.

  • Future area in the north of Basel creates living and working space

    Future area in the north of Basel creates living and working space

    The Klybeck site in the border triangle of Basel is to become a modern neighbourhood on the banks of the Rhine. According to a press release, the planning partners Canton Basel-Stadt, Swiss Life and Rhystadt have initiated the klybeckplus indicative project, which forms the basis for the utilisation planning.

    The approximately 30-hectare site is to become a mixed neighbourhood with residential complexes, commercial buildings and parks. The aim is to create living space for 8,500 people. According to the plans, a third of the flats will be made available to the public for rent at cost. In addition, 7500 jobs are to be created. The two owners, Swiss Life and Rhystadt, will invest 3 billion Swiss francs in the renovations, according to the press release.

    “The finalised indicative project, as it is now available, offers a good basis for realising the enormous potential of the site and creating significant and, above all, long-term added value for the population and the entire region,” Christian Mutschler from Rhystadt is quoted as saying in the press release. Jürgen Friedrichs from Swiss Life adds: “The indicative project shows how the diverse objectives from residential to open space can be combined while at the same time ensuring structural, spatial planning and economic feasibility.” District President Conradin Cramer is convinced that the project will create an “attractive new part of the city for the well-being of the population”.

  • Strategisches Wachstumsprogramm setzt auf Digitalisierung und Effizienz

    Strategisches Wachstumsprogramm setzt auf Digitalisierung und Effizienz

    Sika hat ein strategisches Wachstumsprogramm vorgestellt. Das weltweit operierende Unternehmen für Spezialchemie mit Sitz in Baar will mit dem Fast-Forward-Programm sowohl Investitionen als auch an anderer Stelle Einsparungen im dreistelligen Millionenbereich vornehmen, heisst es in einer Mitteilung.

    So will Sika im Bereich digitaler Transformation 120 bis 150 Millionen Franken investieren. Für effiziente Strukturanpassungen in China und anderen Märkten wird für das laufende Jahr mit einem Umfang von 80 bis 100 Millionen Franken gerechnet. Parallel zu den Investitionen will das Unternehmen in verschiedenen Bereichen jährlich 150 bis 200 Millionen Franken einsparen, mit „voller Wirkung ab 2028″. Zudem bestätigt Sika seine Strategie 2028 und damit ein angestrebtes Umsatzwachstum zwischen 3 und 6 Prozent.

    „Sika lanciert das Fast Forward-Programm aus einer Position der Stärke. Wir verzeichnen die höchste Gewinnmarge unserer Unternehmensgeschichte und machen Sika mit Fast Forward fit für die Zukunft“, wird Thomas Hasler, CEO von Sika, in der Mitteilung zitiert. „Wir investieren gezielt in Digitalisierung und Effizienz, um weltweit noch näher an unseren Kunden zu sein. Unser Ziel ist es, digitaler Spitzenreiter in unseren Märkten zu werden – als Grundlage für weiteres Wachstum und zur langfristigen Stärkung unserer hohen Profitabilität.“

  • Innovation for building refurbishment sets new standards across Europe

    Innovation for building refurbishment sets new standards across Europe

    HeiQ receives the German Sustainability Award for Products for its Xpectra technology, as detailed in a press release. The coating is sprayed onto buildings and reflects up to 74 per cent of heat radiation. According to the jury, the spray coating makes it easier to retrofit existing buildings in particular: “With this award, the jury is highlighting an innovation that shows how material-efficient technologies can simplify and accelerate the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings and thus make an effective contribution to climate protection.”

    Xpectra is managed within the Schlieren-based HeiQ Group by HeiQ Xpectra GmbH, which is based in Regensburg, Germany. HeiQ will accept the award on 4 December in Düsseldorf. The company is now planning to scale the technology in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. “The German Sustainability Award is a successful example of HeiQ as an innovator of deep-tech materials and of our joint commitment to innovation and sustainability,” Oliver Zech is quoted as saying. He is the CEO of HeiQ RAS AG, which is also based in Regensburg. “The award strengthens our position on the market and opens up new opportunities for joint marketing.”

    HeiQ is a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, is based at the IJZ Innovation and Young Entrepreneur Centre and is a member of Start Smart Schlieren.

  • Renovation creates modern space for research and teaching in Zurich

    Renovation creates modern space for research and teaching in Zurich

    The Careum Tower was officially inaugurated in mid-November after around two and a half years of renovation work. According to a statement from the Careum Foundation, which is in charge of the project, the former nurses’ tower block of the University Hospital Zurich(USZ) has now become a modern working and meeting place for education and healthcare. According to the statement, this will create more space on 17 floors in Zurich for the planned expansion in the field of medicine. This was celebrated at the inauguration with the Director of Education of the Canton of Zurich, Silvia Steiner, and the Director of University Medicine Zurich, Beatrice Beck Schimmer, among others.

    The Careum Foundation has concluded a 40-year lease agreement with the USZ with an option to extend. There are now 6000 square metres of floor space available with the possibility of 350 workstations. The foundation itself, which offers training and further education in the healthcare sector, intends to use three of the 17 floors itself. The Careum Publishing House and the Careum Centre for Health Literacy, for example, will move into rooms. The remaining space has been let to institutes of the University of Zurich Medical School.

    “We are thus expanding our campus and creating additional space for networking and inspiration between disciplines and institutions. In keeping with the purpose of our foundation, we are utilising the potential in Zurich’s university district to further promote education and research in the healthcare sector and make a contribution to healthcare provision,” Careum Foundation President Hans Werner is quoted as saying.

    According to documentation, the historical character played a central role in the renovation. For example, two floors were left in their original state. According to the press release, the responsible experts from Bhend & Schlauri Architects worked closely with the City of Zurich’s monument preservation authorities.

  • Lift technology strengthens the development of the destination Andermatt

    Lift technology strengthens the development of the destination Andermatt

    As a partner of Andermatt Swiss Alps, the Finnish lift and escalator manufacturer KONE has realised one hundred installations since 2011, according to a press release. As part of Samih Sawiri’s development project for the destination, 1.7 billion Swiss francs are being invested, with a focus on long-term partnerships. KONE passenger and goods lifts are now in operation in luxury hotels, villas and flat blocks in the area. The company, which has its Swiss headquarters in Brüttisellen, is also responsible for new escalators and a moving walkway at Andermatt railway station.

    According to the press release, most of the passenger lifts installed are the KONE MonoSpace 500 DX and KONE MonoSpace 700 DX models, while the goods lifts are TranSys DX models. In addition, customised lifts have been manufactured for the five-star Chedi Andermatt hotel, for example.

    Sustainability in terms of energy efficiency, energy recovery and service life played an important role in all projects, according to the company. This is not only in line with the Andermatt Responsible initiative, but also with KONE’s principles. It is noted that KONE was voted one of the 20 most sustainable companies in Europe by the trade magazine “Corporate Knights” in 2025.

    According to Jan-Eric Mahnkopf from Andermatt Swiss Alps, a project of this size and duration can only be successfully realised with strong, long-term partnerships. “With KONE, we have a technologically leading and flexible partner at our side who has reliably fulfilled our high demands on quality, design and efficiency for years,” Mahnkopf is quoted as saying as the construction project manager.

    According to KONE, this long-term approach has the advantage of optimising planning and logistics and always having sufficient materials and personnel on site. “The collaborating teams are perfectly attuned, they know the needs and requirements of the partner,” says Lukas Lehmann, the responsible KONE sales manager.

  • Advantages of intelligent building systems

    Advantages of intelligent building systems

    Porter, telephone operator and elevator operator – three examples of professions that used to be essential for the operation of buildings, but are now largely extinct. Access control, telecommunications, lifts and many other areas have long been automated. With digitalization, real estate is increasingly developing in the direction of “smart buildings”. A look at building automation shows what benefits this can bring and to what extent it also poses challenges.

    Networking trades
    Digitalization enables building automation to combine previously largely autonomous trades into a networked system. Continuous data exchange and optimized processes increase convenience for users as well as energy efficiency. In practice, however, this integrated approach is still associated with certain challenges, says Turan Babuscu, Head of Automation at Siemens Switzerland. “The coordination between the trades often takes place too late in a construction project.” This concerns, for example, the definition of interfaces and the clarification of responsibilities – topics that should be discussed as early as possible in the planning phase. “Only if integral collaboration is clearly defined from the outset can digitalization develop its full potential,” emphasizes Babuscu.

    Greater efficiency, more comfort
    The benefits of successful integrated building automation can be seen in operational efficiency, for example. If data is systematically recorded and evaluated, energy consumption can be reduced, faults detected at an early stage and needs-based maintenance cycles developed. The technical building systems thus require less energy and have a longer service life – two aspects that are of interest to owners and operators for both ecological and economic reasons.

    To ensure that all building services are networked and coordinated in a building automation system, the topic must be included at an early planning stage. (Photo: Siemens Switzerland)

    For users, on the other hand, the focus is primarily on the greater convenience that integrated building automation allows. One example of this is the adjustment of room temperature, lighting and air quality according to use, time of day and occupancy, resulting in a healthier and more productive indoor climate.

    AI provides support
    Babuscu predicts that the networking of different systems within a building will continue to increase in the coming years. “This requires open, secure protocols such as BACnet/SC or KNX Secure, which enable obstacle-free, encrypted communication between the trades and the cloud services.” And what about artificial intelligence (AI)? “It already has a firm place in building automation,” says Babuscu. “Many systems use learning algorithms to understand the building’s behaviour and optimize it automatically.” This development is set to continue. In future, AI is likely to increasingly make decisions itself, for example by determining the best operating strategy or the optimum time for maintenance. It is important that the use of AI is transparent, comprehensible and safe in order to gain the acceptance of those involved.

    Further information:
    https://www.swissbau.ch/de/c/vorteile-von-intelligenten-gebaeudesystemen.74100

  • Building objections Federal Council wants to crack down harder

    Building objections Federal Council wants to crack down harder

    A study commissioned by the Federal Office for Housing and the Federal Office for Spatial Development shows that objections and appeals are the most common reason why residential construction projects are delayed or even prevented. This drives up costs, slows down construction activity and contributes to the worsening housing shortage. Particularly problematic are cases in which objections do not serve to protect public interests, but primarily secure private advantages or are used as a means of exerting pressure. For example, when money is demanded for the withdrawal of an appeal

    New rules against abuse of the law
    The motion “Sanction abusive building objections” is intended to instruct the Federal Council to create a basis for obliging objectors without an interest worthy of protection or with a clear intention to abuse the law to pay costs and, if necessary, damages. The Federal Council is prepared to examine the existing possibilities for sanctions and to sound out the extent to which it can provide guidelines in the Spatial Planning Act on the legitimacy of objections and the consequences of abusive objections based on Article 75 of the Federal Constitution. The specific structure of the procedures should remain with the cantons, but within a federal legal framework

    Delicate demarcation and open risks
    Legal experts point out how difficult it is in practice to clearly qualify an objection as abusive. Financial compensation for the withdrawal of an appeal can be legitimate, for example, if neighbors give up views, peace and quiet or other positions. In addition, stakeholders such as the Swiss Heritage Society warn that stricter hurdles and threats of sanctions could weaken the protection of townscape and monuments. Especially in cantons without the right of appeal, where neighbors often act as the final protective authority. Parliament will therefore have to perform a balancing act. Speed up procedures and curb abuse without devaluing legitimate objections and democratic participation.

  • All the world’s buildings in a 3D model

    All the world’s buildings in a 3D model

    The GlobalBuildingAtlas comprises around 2.75 billion digital building models, making it the most comprehensive collection of spatially explicit building data to date. It includes all buildings for which suitable satellite images were available in 2019. The 3D models have a spatial resolution of 3×3 meters and are therefore around 30 times finer than previous global data sets. The atlas was developed by a team led by Prof. Xiaoxiang Zhu, holder of the Chair of Data Science in Earth Observation at TUM, which combines remote sensing, artificial intelligence and data-driven urban research in a global approach

    Detailed 3D models and global coverage
    Of the 2.75 billion entries, standardized LoD1 3D models are available for around 2.68 billion, which depict the basic shape and height of the buildings in simplified geometry. This allows volumes to be calculated, urban structures to be analyzed and settlement patterns to be compared worldwide. Of particular importance is the systematic coverage of previously underrepresented regions such as Africa, South America and rural areas, which are now captured with the same accuracy as dense metropolitan areas

    Tool for planning, climate and risk
    The data makes it possible to examine growth dynamics in fast-growing cities, identify high-density neighborhoods with potentially strained living space and determine infrastructure requirements more precisely. Researchers and administrations can thus develop indicators that show where the expansion of transport, energy and water networks, additional housing or climate adaptation measures are particularly urgent. At the same time, the GlobalBuildingAtlas creates a globally standardized reference system that allows analyses of urbanization, energy consumption and disaster risks on a comparable data basis.

  • Circular building with reeds

    Circular building with reeds

    The residential building by Marina Rosa and Jacobus van Hoorne, designed by Gilbert Berthold, architect and research assistant at BFH, deliberately stands out in a single-family housing estate on Lake Neusiedl. It combines a consistent timber construction with a striking thatched roof and thus relies on local, renewable raw materials with a low ecological footprint. The numerous awards, from the client prize of the Central Association of Austrian Architects to the architecture prize of the province of Burgenland and the newcomer prize “House of the Year”, underline the exemplary character of the project.

    Reeds as a high-performance building material
    Jacobus van Hoorne, originally a particle physicist at CERN, took over his father’s reed cutting and thatching business and developed it into an innovation laboratory. Together with Berthold, he developed a roof structure that met strict fire protection requirements and was officially approved through real fire tests. A milestone for reed in new buildings, even in densely populated areas. The gently curved roof surfaces follow the material logic. Each additional degree of inclination extends the service life of the roof, the construction makes the qualities of the natural material visible and legible.

    Geometry, material and space as a unit
    The floor plan of the house follows an S-shape resulting from the rotation of the central living space. At its heart is a two-storey, light-flooded atrium that opens onto the garden and is closely linked to the outside space via terraces. Compactly organized functional spaces create scope for spacious recreation areas. The interplay between the thatched roof and the natural oak façade connects the building and the landscape. The roof becomes a design-defining element and a contemporary interpretation of traditional craftsmanship.

    Real-life laboratory for bio-based materials
    For Gilbert Berthold, the project marked the start of his self-employment and at the same time a real testing ground for sustainable construction. Today, the house serves as a home, study object and exhibition space all in one. It provides data on energy efficiency, indoor climate and the long-term behavior of bio-based building materials. In the context of the BFH, it fits in with research into plant-based materials such as straw, flax, hemp and mycelium and shows that reeds can be used not only as an insulating material, but also in a leading architectural role.

    Symbol of a regenerative building culture
    The project illustrates how circular building with regional resources can already be implemented today. It shows students and professionals that regenerative architecture is not a vision of the future, but a built reality. With reeds as a strong symbol for a building culture that rethinks nature, technology and society.

  • Bassersdorf plans the next growth step

    Bassersdorf plans the next growth step

    Today, around 90 people work at the Pöschen, Gmeindwisen site on over 90,000 square meters. Over the next 20 years, 600 to 800 new jobs are to be created there and living space for around 1,200 people.
    With the further conversion of all plots, additional space for 100 to 200 more jobs and around 300 more residents is planned. The basis for this is the rezoning to a five-storey residential and commercial zone with a design plan obligation, which has been legally binding since February 2024. The development will take place in stages over several decades, with existing businesses retaining their place.

    Traffic, public transport and “low-car” concept
    The focus of the dialog with the population was on traffic. Questions were asked about parking, access and the future of the bus station. The planning team emphasized the clear focus on public transport. The district is not intended to accommodate through traffic, residents’ cars will be parked in underground garages and no new park-and-ride areas are planned. Despite the development of the area, the planned bypass will remain possible. Those responsible expect to attract a younger, more public transport-oriented population.

    Green spaces, neighborhood life and phasing
    The approximately 50 attendees were particularly positive about the generous green and open spaces, squares and connecting paths. The winning project structures the area into clearly recognizable neighbourhoods, with a noise-shielding block along Zürichstrasse, workplace-oriented uses towards the tracks and diverse residential areas in between. This structure facilitates implementation in stages. Complete realization is expected in ten to fifteen years.

    Political backing and participation
    Mayor Christian Pfaller and the landowners reaffirmed their support for the winning project and the long-term development of a diverse, sustainable district. As the municipality does not own any land itself, it is reliant on a cooperative approach with the owners. A school building is not required. Kindergarten and daycare facilities are planned, which the municipality intends to buy into. With the 2022 building and zoning regulations, the electorate approved the transformation to a mixed zone in principle, but at the same time anchored a design plan obligation. The current consultation event is part of this communication process. The feedback will now be incorporated into the indicative project, which will form the basis for the public design plan, which is expected to be discussed again next year.

  • Switzerland rethinks electric mobility

    Switzerland rethinks electric mobility

    The principle is familiar from smartphones. A transmitter coil transmits energy to a receiver coil via a magnetic field without the need for a plug. In the case of electric cars, this means that all you have to do is park and the charging process starts automatically. In the “INLADE” pilot project, Empa and energy supplier Eniwa AG tested this technology for the first time under everyday Swiss conditions. The project was supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and the cantons of Zurich and Aargau.

    Practical test passed
    Even in snow, rain and slight parking deviations, inductive charging achieves an efficiency of around 90 percent, comparable to the classic cable. AMAG and other partners equipped existing vehicles with receiver coils and integrated interfaces for charging management. Following extensive safety tests, the vehicles were granted individual approval for Swiss roads. They are among the world’s first electric cars with an inductive system that are suitable for everyday use.

    Mobile storage for the energy transition
    The real revolution lies in the potential. Electric cars are stationary for an average of 23 hours a day. If they were automatically connected to the grid during this time, their batteries could compensate for fluctuations in the electricity grid and stabilize renewable energies. Bidirectional charging, i.e. feeding electricity back into the grid, also works inductively. Vehicles are connected more frequently without users having to take any active steps. This makes every parking space a potential hub of a decentralized energy system.

    Economically attractive
    Intelligent charging reduces electricity costs, especially when charging during the day when photovoltaic systems feed a lot of energy into the grid. The combination of convenience, efficiency and grid integration makes inductive charging a promising building block for the mobility of tomorrow.

  • Swiss office market under pressure

    Swiss office market under pressure

    The available office space in Switzerland remains at 2.12 million square meters. A stable figure on the surface. However, this conceals a worrying trend. At 425,000 square meters, the average quarterly take-up in 2025 is significantly below the previous year (2024: 540,000 m²). This corresponds to a decline of around 21 percent. Companies are hesitating, making slower decisions or withdrawing from letting processes.

    No employment – costs are rising
    The reason for this lies in the weak labor market dynamics. Employment growth in typical office sectors has shrunk from an already meagre 0.3% in 2024 to 0.1% in the third quarter of 2025. The situation in industry is particularly dramatic. Here, job losses intensified from minus 0.2 percent (2024) to minus 1.1 percent (2025). High American import duties and a strong Swiss franc are an additional burden on Swiss companies. The planned tariff reduction could provide relief, but has yet to prove its worth.

    Maintaining centers, periphery under pressure
    The spatial polarization on the office market is intensifying. Availability remains low in the five largest Swiss centers, with the exception of Basel. In the city centers, the rates average 3.7 percent, in the surrounding urban areas 3.6 percent. The suburbs, on the other hand, are struggling with a vacancy rate of 9 percent. This shows an east-west divide. The suburbs of western Switzerland have seen significantly more new construction activity than German-speaking Switzerland.

    Risks for 2026
    If take-up remains at this low level, the vacancy rate threatens to rise in the coming year. Today’s stability could quickly become tomorrow’s brakes if employment growth and entrepreneurial willingness to invest do not return.

  • Basel focusses on the circular economy

    Basel focusses on the circular economy

    BaselCircular is not a traditional funding initiative, but forms the basis for a new innovation ecosystem in the region. As a public-private partnership, the initiative is working with the Basel business community to develop structures that combine knowledge, research and entrepreneurship. At the centre of this is the networking of established companies, start-ups and universities. They form a system that promotes innovation, shares knowledge and makes circular business models marketable – according to the principle of “enabling the enabler”.

    Knowledge, technology and cooperation
    A central field of action is the creation of digital platforms for knowledge exchange and cooperation. Practical tools and expert systems are being developed in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland and other scientific partners. AI-based tools are planned to make it easier for companies to adapt circular solutions. However, personal exchange remains crucial, as technology serves as an amplifier for human collaboration.

    Inspiring the next generation
    The network aims to inspire young people to become entrepreneurs in the circular economy. Together with educational institutions, programmes are being developed to promote start-ups. Existing start-up support centres are supported in firmly integrating sustainability into their competitions and training courses.

    Shaping the future
    A survey of companies in Basel has shown that knowledge and implementation levels in the circular economy vary greatly. BaselCircular is responding to this with customised offers and close collaborations, initially in the construction and life sciences sectors. Further areas will be added from 2025. This is a clear signal that Basel is actively strengthening its role as a centre of innovation and is resolutely driving forward the transformation towards a resource-efficient economy.

  • Transparency in three dimensions – How geodata can help the property industry

    Transparency in three dimensions – How geodata can help the property industry

    Densification, climate adaptation and increasing regulatory density pose new challenges for the property industry. At the same time, digital geodata opens up a holistic view of space. With the 3D viewer MapBS 3D, the PLR cadastre and property information, digital tools are available in the canton of Basel-Stadt that help owners, developers and investors to sharpen their view of the canton and its properties.

    MapBS 3D – City and buildings as digital twins
    What was previously only recognisable on plans can now be experienced in three dimensions in the browser:

    – Basel as a digital 3D city model with buildings
    buildings, terrain and trees.
    – 3D aerial images and oblique aerial images for a
    photorealistic view of the canton.
    – The buildings can be filtered by height, for example,
    and the data can be freely obtained and
    integrated into customised applications.
    – The toolbox can be used, for example, to simulate shading over the course of the year or visibility axes.

    This makes a location spatially comprehensible. Whether an extension is realistic, how a new building fits into the silhouette or which visual axes are affected – initial answers are just a few clicks away.

    You can quickly recognise how a property fits into the urban context and where potential lies dormant. This makes MapBS 3D a valuable tool – not only for planners, but also for decision-makers.

    The PLR-cadastre – Legal certainty at a click
    Anyone who develops or acquires must know what applies. The PLR-cadastre – the abbreviation stands for public-law restrictions on ownership – bundles relevant specifications for a property: building zones, protected areas, noise or water protection, etc.

    In Basel-Stadt, the cadastre currently covers over twenty subject areas, available online and also as a PDF extract. It is always up to date. This allows risks to be recognised at an early stage and legal framework conditions to be checked efficiently – an advantage that should not be underestimated in times of complex planning processes.

    What else is possible?
    If PLR topics are superimposed in MapBS 3D using the “Add layer” tool, a digital decision space is created.

    Other interesting topics can also be found in the cantonal WebGIS MapBS. There you can use the “Property information” tool to call up information on a property and its buildings directly. The same information can also be automatically integrated into your own applications using an API.

    All of this can be used, for example, to check whether a building intention conforms to the zoning plan or whether noise might make residential use unfavourable. This creates clarity and avoids misunderstandings. In this way, complex knowledge becomes spatially visible and it is easier to recognise location qualities, risks and scope for development.

    What is planned for the future?
    With twinbs, the Canton of Basel-Stadt wants to make geoinformation even more transparent and reliably accessible in the future. The full potential of spatial data is to be utilised. The Geoinformation Centre regularly collects feedback from users. Anyone with questions about MapBS 3D, the PLR cadastre or geodata in general is welcome to contact them directly.

  • The real estate sector is a support for the canton and the citizens

    The real estate sector is a support for the canton and the citizens

    Innovative’ housing projects that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable could help stimulate the economy in Ticino.

    The conditions for becoming a landlord are becoming increasingly restrictive, and proportionally fewer families can afford to buy property. In Ticino, it is not only families belonging to the economically weaker segment of the population that have to cope with too many expenses to pay rent and ancillary costs. Inevitably, many families ask the State for financial support. By activating an active policy in favour of moderately rented housing we could create the conditions to reduce the demands on the state.

    Private actors in the real estate sector could play an active and decisive role in this direction, as is already the case in other parts of Switzerland, bringing a public benefit while reducing the vacancy rate in the medium term.

    By planning the renovation, refurbishment and conversion of existing buildings in a coordinated and careful manner, we could reduce land consumption by improving the housing stock and, at the same time, have a better social impact in respect of the environment.

    More attention and a sense of individual responsibility towards the community could lead to savings on the part of the state, which is currently under pressure to find solutions and meet citizens’ needs.

    More awareness of the advantages of sharing spaces and services would lead to an increase in quality of life and savings. By optimising expenditure on housing, families could better cope with increases in the cost of living, including healthcare costs.

    Among the many possibilities is the development of public utility housing (which can be non-profit corporations, foundations, housing cooperatives) with rents based on actual costs, taking advantage of funding from the
    Federal funding and sureties. These projects should mainly focus on renovations of existing buildings, realising quality projects, optimising space so that, if possible, there is less consumption of floor space per inhabitant.

    In order for the costs of realising housing projects, as mentioned above, also starting from existing buildings, to be low, it is important that the land cost is not excessive. To be reasonable, the cost of land should be around 20 per cent, or if in central areas 25 per cent, of the total cost. Often in urban areas this is the biggest obstacle.

    The housing stock in Ticino is old. Many owners have not invested in renovations, even with low mortgage rates, and when they decide to sell, the economic demands are too high to create income housing with rents affordable to a large segment of the population. It should not be forgotten that the effort rate for housing should not exceed 33% of the income of a family belonging to the upper-middle class of the population. This rate should not exceed 25% if it is in the lower social stratum. Properties for sale, therefore, are often purchased by developers with specific targets who do not always realise projects that correspond to the needs or economic possibilities of families taking into account that wages are low compared to the rest of Switzerland and that the population is ageing faster.

    The instrument of surface rights, mainly used for commercial real estate projects, is little used in Ticino for housing projects. Yet it could help to find alternative solutions to develop ‘innovative’ projects. It could be very interesting both for the owner of the land, who would regularly receive a rent (ground lease fee) and at the end of the contract would come back to decide how to use the property, and for the landowner, who would develop his project with his own capital according to his needs without having to find funds to buy the property, which is perhaps located in a well-serviced area. Not needing capital to buy the land, many more families would have the means to invest in housing to live in.

    North of the Alps, municipalities or other public authority actors lease out their property by putting bonds on it for private individuals, including Anonymous Societies, to invest capital in specific projects including adequate and affordable housing.

    There are also other avenues that could be pursued. The Soliterra Foundation could be of help if it were a project developed by a non-profit housing project developer, in fact, its aim is to promote the construction of affordable housing throughout Switzerland. This is done in particular through the purchase of land and the granting of surface rights to it. The Soliterra Foundation gives financial support to small or young residential housing cooperatives, in particular for the purchase of properties with existing buildings or for approved new construction projects. But what makes the Soliterra Foundation special? The land can be bought back as soon as the financial situation is stable and the loan capital has been sufficiently repaid. The costs for the land right are low because they correspond to the reference interest rate plus a surcharge for administrative costs and a 50% inflation adjustment.
    The formula is similar to that of the federal government’s revolving fund, which thanks to loan repayments, which are not a cost to the state because they are remunerated, over time funds are again available to buy more property and thus promote new housing projects of public benefit.

    Restructuring the housing stock in Ticino to meet the needs of all generations could bring new opportunities whose benefits would extend to the community. The whole of society would benefit.

  • Dynamics of the economic future in Ticino

    Dynamics of the economic future in Ticino

    The urbanisation of Pian Faloppia was a strategic project for the future. Modern transport connections, a high-performance electricity network and an advanced water supply system create optimal conditions that are particularly attractive to companies with innovative aspirations. The specific site planning of the Balerna municipal association was developed in close dialogue with owners and entrepreneurs in order to sustainably strengthen the settlement area.

    Innovation dynamics and network expertise
    Companies from the precision engineering, watchmaking, solar technology and advanced logistics sectors operate in the centre. The interaction between research, industry and entrepreneurship is a key success factor. Companies located here benefit from links to research centres and universities as well as access to a qualified workforce, creating a powerful and future-oriented economic dynamic.

    Management with vision and synergies
    With the newly created role of Area Manager, Pian Faloppia is focussing on actively supporting and developing the quality of the location. This position bundles regional development structures and ensures targeted networking between companies, authorities and other stakeholders. This creates synergies that continuously strengthen the economic region and ensure attractive conditions for companies to settle here.

    Quality of life as a location argument
    The location is not only characterised by economic advantages, but also by a high quality of life. A wide range of leisure and cultural activities as well as the natural surroundings guarantee attractive conditions for specialists and managers. The temperate climate and Swiss stability offer additional planning security for long-term developments. The Pian Faloppia development centre is an example of future-oriented regional development in Ticino. The consistent focus on sustainable innovation, networking and synergy creates an attractive economic area that offers prospects for companies and skilled workers alike.

  • Hydrogen plant in Seewen suspended – market development remains crucial

    Hydrogen plant in Seewen suspended – market development remains crucial

    According to a press release, ebs Wasserstoff AG is suspending its project to produce hydrogen at the site of the surfacing plant in Seewen. The reason given for the decision is that sales and profitability are currently insufficient. However, the market situation is being monitored. Should demand increase, the project could be resumed.

    The Schwyz-based energy supplier ebs Energie AG holds a 60 per cent stake in ebs Wasserstoff AG, the road and civil engineering company A. Käppeli’s Söhne AG Schwyz holds a 25 per cent stake and the Basel-based energy supplier IWB holds a 15 per cent stake. Together, they submitted a planning application for a production plant in Seewen in 2022.

    According to a breakdown by ebs, the plant would produce hydrogen with a capacity of 5 to 6 megawatts for up to 100 lorries a day. This would have been sufficient for 11.1 million lorry kilometres per year and would have saved 7.8 million kilograms of CO2. The investment costs were estimated at CHF 16.8 million.

    Some of the hydrogen could also have been fed into the gas grid by ebs Erdgas Biogas AG. The waste heat from the electrolysis process could have been utilised in the surfacing plant.

  • Positive market trend strengthens portfolio development

    Positive market trend strengthens portfolio development

    The listed real estate fund Swiss Life REF (CH) ESG Swiss Properties recorded a significant increase in total income of CHF 121.5 million for the 2024/2025 financial year, compared to CHF 57.6 million in 2023/2024, according to a statement from Swiss Life. The return on investment was 5.1 per cent.

    The reason for the positive performance is the 2.4 per cent net change in the market value of its properties. As at 30 September 2025, the fund held a total of 194 portfolio properties with a market value of CHF 3,233 million. The fund only recorded a decline in net income, which is mainly due to higher income taxes.

    The net asset value (NAV) per unit increased to CHF 116.65, which corresponds to an increase of 2.6 per cent compared to the previous year. The total distribution for 2024/2025, which will take place on 28 November 2025, amounts to CHF 2.70 per unit (CHF 58.3 million in total), with realised income of CHF 2.71 per unit (CHF 58.5 million in total). In relation to the market price, the distribution yield is therefore 2.03 per cent; in relation to the NAV, it is 2.31 per cent.

    The fund’s portfolio grew by one residential property in 2024/2025, while eight smaller properties were sold. These transactions led to a net capital gain totalling CHF 6.1 million and, thanks in part to the positive changes in the market value of the properties, to a reduction in the leverage ratio to 20.6 per cent (2024: 22.1 per cent). The total return in the reporting period was 14.8 per cent.

  • Schlieren remains an Energy City Gold

    Schlieren remains an Energy City Gold

    Schlieren has been recognised as a Gold Energy City for the second time since 2021, as detailed in a press release from the city. The award is valid for four years. Schlieren has been recognised as an Energy City since 2008. “Being awarded the Energy City Gold label once again is a great honour and shows us that we are on the right path as a city,” said Beat Kilchenmann, City Councillor and Head of the Works, Utilities and Facilities Department, in the press release.

    The Energy City Gold label serves to recognise particularly ambitious energy and climate protection goals. The city cites the specific measures that were defined in various fields of action as part of the net-zero strategy adopted in 2023 with the target year 2040. These measures served as a programme of activities for recertification as an Energy City Gold. They include the expansion of the district heating network, the use of renewable energy in municipal properties and strengthening the circular economy.