568 million for a new educational universe
The Horw Campus is entering a decisive phase. With the submission of the building permit application and the founding of Immobilien Campus Luzern-Horw AG, a long-planned vision is becoming a concrete construction project. The new campus brings together technology, architecture, and education. With projected costs of 568 million Swiss francs, it is the largest building project in the history of the Canton of Lucerne.
The Canton of Lucerne submitted the building permit application on July 31, 2026. Approval is expected in about a year. If the process proceeds as scheduled, construction will begin in the summer or fall of 2027.
Construction will take place while the school remains in operation and will be carried out in several phases. The first partial opening is scheduled for the fall semester of 2031. At that time, the Lucerne University of Teacher Education and the Department of Technology & Architecture at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts will work and study together on campus for the first time.
A budget holds up
Even after the preliminary design phase was completed, the estimated cost stood at around 600 million Swiss francs. The canton now estimates the construction project will cost 568 million Swiss francs. This represents a reduction of approximately 32 million Swiss francs, or just over 5 percent.
The scale remains extraordinary. The total usable floor area is set to grow from approximately 23,000 square meters today to nearly 58,600 square meters. In the future, the campus will accommodate up to 4,000 students and 1,000 staff members.
Two Universities, One Location
The campus brings together two educational worlds that have much to offer one another. The Department of Technology & Architecture trains professionals who design buildings, infrastructure, energy systems, and living spaces. The Lucerne University of Teacher Education contributes perspectives on education, pedagogy, and social development.
This proximity can enable new forms of collaboration. It creates space for interdisciplinary projects, joint research initiatives, and a daily environment where technical innovation and educational issues are not treated as separate, parallel entities. The campus thus becomes a place of learning that addresses the demands of a rapidly changing society.
New Organization for Long-Term Tasks
The non-profit real estate company Campus Luzern-Horw AG was founded in parallel with the building permit application. It will be responsible for the construction and operation of the site in the future. With this structure, the canton aims to manage financing, implementation, and long-term management from a single source.
Heinz Bösch chairs the board of directors as a representative of the Department of Finance. Other members of the board include Regula Bürgi, Adrian Strüby, Stefan Müller of maxon international, and Hannes Pichler of ETH Zurich. Lilia Junker has assumed the role of managing director.
A Long Road Ahead Until 2036
The project does not end with the move into the first new buildings. Following the launch in 2031, renovations and further phases will follow. Existing buildings will be renovated, partially expanded, or have additional stories added. According to the plan, the project is scheduled for completion in 2036 with additional new buildings and communal spaces.
The Horw Campus is therefore more than just a construction project. It is a long-term investment in the educational and economic region of Central Switzerland. Now begins the phase that will reveal whether this grand vision will indeed become an open, vibrant, and identity-forming place.