
Biochar concrete opens up prospects for a climate-neutral construction industry
Ulrich Imboden AG, Logbau, Novakies and Toggenburger have founded KLARK AG. Together, they want to make a concrete available throughout Switzerland that is CO2-neutral thanks to the use of biochar. The aim is to turn buildings and infrastructure into CO2



Efficiency in timber construction thanks to statics
A research project by Empa, Bern University of Applied Sciences and ETH Zurich is closing a gap in the structural analysis of timber constructions. New models and large-scale tests should make window walls usable as load-bearing elements in the future and make timber construction more economical


Fraunhofer ISE Testlab sets standard for inverters
Stable system operation is essential for the success of the energy transition. In the future, renewable power sources and storage systems will have to take on grid-forming properties. Fraunhofer ISE's new test procedure provides clarity in the market and accelerates the development of

Researchers are working on clean water for cities of the future
Researchers from Eawag and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland are participating in the EU project UrbanM20. The aim of the project, which is led by the Danish Technical University, is to improve the monitoring and management of water management in

New solar plant boosts renewable energy production in the Alpine region
The government of Graubünden has approved the construction of the Alpin Parsenn large-scale photovoltaic plant in Davos. This means that the municipal utility alliance Swisspower can now begin construction of the 14-hectare plant at an altitude of 2,500 meters in the Parsenn ski

Construction project becomes a learning laboratory for students and researchers
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) is turning the HIL building on Hönggerberg into a living lab. During its careful refurbishment and extension, professors, students and researchers will be testing new approaches to circular and resource-saving construction until around


Disbursements of subsidies for energy-efficient refurbishments stagnate in 2024
The disbursement of subsidies for energy-efficient renovations stagnated in 2024 for the first time since 2016 and totalled CHF 528 million. The subsidies reduced the energy consumption of buildings by 12 billion kilowatt hours and CO2 emissions by 3.5 million


Basel tests CO2-free operation of construction sites
The canton of Basel-Stadt is trialling the potential for CO2-free construction site operations. In a pilot project with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the planning office EcoForce GmbH, a waste collection centre is being built with electric construction machinery. The

Simple building needs courage and less bureaucracy
In Switzerland, "simple building" is not failing because of the law, but because of uncertainty, overregulation and a lack of trust. SIA legal advisor and National Councillor Beat Flach calls for more pragmatism, less bureaucracy and a strengthening of existing

New tower approved for Zurich Airport
The federal government has approved the construction of the new tower at Zurich Airport. The control tower is to be built from 2027 and will later become part of the sustainable new Dock A replacement building. This will not only modernize air traffic control, but also implement a forward-looking

Students consider Food Factory in Basel
Students from the Institute of Architecture at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland have spent a year analysing the food cycle. The idea of setting up a food factory in the centre of Basel was evaluated. All stages of the cycle are to be mapped



Switzerland needs faster approval procedures
Switzerland is building too few apartments. Instead of the required 50,000, only around 42,000 are expected to be built in 2025. A new study by the Federal Office for Housing shows where the causes lie and provides possible solutions. The Swiss Association of Master Builders is now calling for

Upcycling project transforms leftover material into office furniture
Restemöbel has completed its first major interior fit-out project at the solar technology company Planeco with the Basel-based construction company in situ. The two partners of restemöbel have been producing furniture from regional material leftovers from joineries for several

First tower crane with its own power generation in operation in Baden
The Baden Cantonal Hospital is using the Greenpower crane as a world first for renovation work in the decommissioned old building. According to manufacturer rollende Werkstatt Kran AG, it is the first tower crane that can generate electricity using energy recovery. This reduces the energy

Billion-euro investment drives expansion of energy storage systems
In future, Energy Vault will handle project planning, construction, commissioning and service contracts via the new subsidiary Asset Vault. This is to receive an investment of USD 300 million from an infrastructure fund and place all orders with Energy

City of Zurich presents building culture
As part of the European Heritage Days 2025 on 11 and 13 September, the Zurich Department of Monument Preservation and City Archaeology will be presenting the architectural heritage of the city of Zurich. Numerous free guided tours will be offered for interested visitors under the theme of






