Facility management company passes into new hands
The Hälg Group is taking over Löwen Bau- und Betriebs AG from Lucerne. With this merger, the St.Gallen-based company intends to further expand its market position in Central Switzerland. From the middle of the year, the Lucerne-based company will operate under the name
Sustainable wall elements dehumidify interiors
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) have developed a moisture-retaining and climate-friendly covering for walls and ceilings. This could replace indoor air conditioning systems in the future. The construction elements are made from reusable
More clarity for building lines in the canton of Zurich
The Government Council of the Canton of Zurich is proposing amendments to the Planning and Building Act in order to eliminate ambiguities regarding building lines. The amendments affect balconies, bay windows and small buildings, among other things. The aim is to increase legal and planning
Cost rent and rising land prices
The cost rent is calculated from the total investment costs of a property. However, rising land prices and construction costs are causing the difference to the market rent to shrink. An analysis based on the example of Zurich Altstetten shows which factors influence affordability and how subsidies
Preparations begin for harbour railway relocation in Basel
At the end of January, Basel-Stadt will begin preparatory work for the relocation of the harbour railway in order to create space for the urban development of the Klybeck and Kleinhüningen districts. The construction work will last until 2026 and is part of a comprehensive urban development
Concrete as CO₂ storage
The "Mining the Atmosphere" research initiative shows that excess CO₂ from the atmosphere can be permanently stored in building materials such as concrete. With a storage capacity of up to ten billion tonnes of carbon per year, this approach could help to reduce CO₂ levels to a climate-friendly
New management team for American construction business presented
Holcim has appointed its Chairman of the Board of Directors Jan Jenisch as President and CEO designate of the planned company in the USA. The head of Danfoss, Kim Fausing, will be proposed in his place as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Life cycle assessment calculator supports sustainable building
The life cycle assessment calculator from Baustoff Kreislauf Schweiz enables the environmental impact of concrete to be calculated in a comprehensible manner. The online tool provides a basis for optimising environmental product declarations (EPD) and supports sustainable construction methods in
Bio-inspired “Solar Gate” regulates buildings in a climate-neutral way
A research team from the universities of Freiburg and Stuttgart has developed an innovative façade system that adapts automatically to changes in the weather without the need for energy. Inspired by pine cones, the "Solar Gate" offers a resource-saving solution for sustainable building
ESG targets with REMMS integration
With the integration of REMMS, Reamis is sending a clear signal in favour of sustainability. The extended software suite enables the efficient evaluation of properties according to economic, ecological and social criteria and thus specifically supports the achievement of ESG
How wood can be better utilised
Wood is the raw material of the future - sustainable, renewable and climate-friendly. But how much wood is actually available in Switzerland and how can it be optimally utilised? Researchers at Empa and WSL have comprehensively analysed the material flows of wood and show ways in which this
Swiss construction industry 2025
The year 2025 will bring an exciting mix of opportunities and challenges for the Swiss construction industry. The focus will be on topics such as sustainability, digitalisation and urbanisation, while a shortage of skilled workers and rising raw material prices will call for innovative solutions.
Securing the supply of raw materials for the energy transition
The demand for important mineral commodities such as copper, lithium and rare earths is increasing, while geopolitical tensions and market monopolies are making supply more difficult. The Federal Council has presented a report outlining options for action to ensure Switzerland's security of supply
Sites in the canton of Zug
The good location and high quality of life in the Zug area has led to a strong increase in population in recent years and consequently to an ever-increasing demand for space for living and working. The region around Lake Zug has many projects and site developments that will offer high-quality
Lucerne promotes circular construction projects
The canton of Lucerne wants to strengthen the circular economy in the construction industry. Together with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, it has launched the Eco-Design in Building Construction competition. Circular construction projects can apply for funding from mid-January to
New CEO to take over management of the construction supplier from January 2025
Claudius Moor will become CEO of the Arbonia Group on 1 January. He will take the place of Alexander von Witzleben, who will focus on his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Moor has been CEO of the Doors Division at Arbonia since
Junior staff contribute to the renovation of the Alte Reithalle
At the Josef Wiederkehr AG apprentice camp, apprentices carried out preparatory work for the 2026 Phänomena exhibition in Dietikon. Under expert guidance, they contributed to the renovation of the Alte Reithalle, which serves as the setting for the interactive Phänomena
Circular economy: sustainable solutions for the construction industry
The Swiss construction industry is facing major challenges in terms of material consumption and emissions. Two Innosuisse-funded projects led by ETH Zurich are demonstrating solutions: Think Earth is developing sustainable building materials such as recycled materials, while Swircular is using