

Commercial use and solar energy: development of the Papieri site is progressing
The site owner HIAG is upgrading a further 6000 square metres of the Papieri site for temporary commercial use by the end of the year. Padelta AG will be operating padel courts in a paper machine hall from 2025. A Jump Factory site is also planned. Librec will prepare the recycling of car batteries

Winner of the architectural competition for the Confignon school
The "Cé Qu'É Lainô" project has been chosen as the winner of the architectural competition for the construction of the new secondary school in Confignon. The jury highlighted the remarkable balance and flexibility of the project, which is both architecturally convincing and meets the various

Tréfle Blanc ice rink by architects from the Chabanne agency
The impressive "Trèfle blanc" project for the Tréfle Blanc ice rink was designed by architects from the renowned Chabanne agency in Lyon. With its modern architecture, sustainable materials and emphasis on respect for the environment, this ice rink promises a unique and fascinating experience for

The Geneva Natural History Museum unveils its energy vision
Geneva's Natural History Museum closed its doors on 1 January 2024 for a year to undergo major renovation work. The transformation will involve not only the exhibition rooms, but also the extension of the building to accommodate the collection and research facilities. The aim is to create a modern,

Geneva on the road to Smart City 3.0
The canton of Geneva is launching the "Smart Geneva" initiative to drive the transition to a Smart City 3.0, based on the Scandinavian model, by networking and promoting projects. The approach aims to put technology to good use in urban development and the fight against climate change, and to


Resource efficiency through medium voltage in photovoltaics
Fraunhofer ISE is revolutionising photovoltaics through the use of medium voltage in large-scale PV power plants. This innovative technology saves raw materials, reduces installation costs and increases system performance. Pilot projects and a market launch are already being

Easier building in noisy areas
As part of the revision of the Environmental Protection Act, the National Council's Committee for the Environment, Energy and Spatial Planning is advocating pragmatic solutions for building permits in noisy areas. Controlled residential ventilation and private outdoor spaces are being introduced as


Paradigm shift in energy planning
Empa-Forscher Matthias Sulzer und Berkeley-Lab-Forscher Michael Wetter fordern einen radikalen Wandel in der Planung von Gebäude- und Energiesystemen. Sie schlagen einen stärker automatisierten und modellbasierten Planungsprozess vor, der der Komplexität und Flexibilität zukünftiger

New player in the UK recycling market
Holcim has acquired the British company Land Recovery. This supplier of recycled rail ballast and demolition material for the production of ready-mix concrete, precast elements and asphalt brings Holcim closer to its goal of recycling 10 million tonnes of building materials this

Swiss Climate Foundation supports ten projects
The Swiss Climate Foundation has approved a total of around CHF 1.3 million for ten innovative climate-related projects in its first funding round in 2024. The projects being funded include a mini wind turbine, a robot for geothermal drilling and a lightweight

Considerable economic growth. Increasing quality of life
The canton of Zurich shows that economic growth and an increasing quality of life are compatible with a decreasing environmental impact. The latest economic monitoring report from the Office of Economic Affairs illustrates this successful balance and presents a thought experiment on the

Inauguration of a photovoltaic system at Limeco
The Limmattal regional utility Limeco has inaugurated a photovoltaic system with 624 solar panels on the roof of the wastewater treatment plant. This generates 252,000 kilowatt-hours of green electricity, primarily for the plant's own use and surpluses for the public

Career prospects in Swiss timber construction
The timber construction industry plays a central role in Switzerland in the field of sustainable construction and energy-efficient building refurbishment. As an environmentally friendly and climate-neutral construction technology, it contributes to reducing energy consumption and shaping the future

Microbes as power stations
A ground-breaking EPFL research project led by Professor Ardemis Boghossian has shown how modified E. coli bacteria can effectively generate electricity. This discovery opens new doors for energy production and could enable far-reaching applications in environmental technology and

Future-oriented heat supply in Zurich’s inner-city neighbourhoods
To achieve its climate targets, the city of Zurich is paving the way for an innovative, fossil-free heat supply in densely built-up neighbourhoods. A new study sheds light on efficient approaches and the infrastructure required to realise the ambitious net-zero target by


Timber as a key building material for the development of urban areas
At a time when urban densification and climate protection are taking centre stage, timber is gaining in importance as the building material of the 21st century. Thanks to its environmentally friendly properties and efficiency in the construction process, timber construction offers an ideal solution

Hybrid construction methods using wood, concrete and steel
Hybrid construction methods, in which different materials such as wood, concrete and steel are combined, are becoming increasingly important in modern architecture and civil engineering. These innovative construction methods not only fulfil today's requirements for sustainability and energy

Vaud plans electricity autonomy by 2035
A recent study confirms the enormous potential of solar energy to cover the electricity needs of the Vaud cantonal administration's buildings until 2035. These measures are part of the canton's ambitious climate plan and meet the requirements of the Vaud Energy







