
Polysportive lighthouse project takes shape
A new sports powerhouse for the Zurich region will be built between Dübendorf and Wangen-Brüttisellen by fall 2026. The Zurich Sports Center in the Dürrbach area will bring together over 30 types of sport under one roof. This project combines popular and top-class sport, training and


Renewable heating with district heating
Basel-Stadt is systematically pushing ahead with the heating transition. With one of the largest district heating networks in Switzerland, operated by IWB, over 80 percent of heating requirements will be covered by district heating by 2037. District heating increasingly comes from ecological

What the new Spatial Planning Act can do
The first part of the revised spatial planning law with RPG2 and the amended Spatial Planning Ordinance has been in force since January 1, 2026. Further key provisions will come into force on July 1, 2026. The focus is on a stabilization target that puts a stronger brake on building outside

Swiss economy between a damper and confidence
The KOF Business Situation Indicator from ETH Zurich shows a mixed picture in December 2025. While the current situation in the Swiss private sector has declined slightly, expectations for the coming six months are rising for the fourth time in a row. The prospect of mild growth in the new year


Fresh capital for data-based planning in the construction industry
The start-up vyzn, which specializes in digital and sustainable construction planning, has successfully completed its seed financing round with Swiss and Finnish partners. The team of three male and one female founder now wants to expand the portfolio and grow. Vyzn will launch in Germany at the


New heating network combines climate protection and regional value creation
The Maisprach heating network and energy supplier IWB want to supply district heating from regionally renewable raw materials. A corresponding heating system was put into operation at the beginning of December. IWB invested CHF 3.5 million in the

Timber construction sets new standard for cantonal buildings
The design and architecture magazine "Hochparterre" has awarded architect Markus Schietsch a Silver Bunny for the new building of the Aargau Office for Consumer Protection (AVS) in Unterentfelden. The consistent implementation of sustainable construction was particularly


Expansion of the recycling of building materials in Europe
Holcim has expanded its European portfolio for recycling building materials. Three acquired companies in England, Germany and France with a capacity of 1.3 million tons of construction and demolition materials will contribute to the Group's goal of recycling over 20 million tons by

A new giant reorganizes the insurance market
The merger of Helvetia and Baloise has created a new insurance giant in Basel. Helvetia Baloise Holding AG will become the second-largest insurance group in Switzerland and the largest employer in the industry. Behind the sober formula "merger of equals" are strategic power shifts, opportunities

Expansion of Basel SBB West station
With the major Basel SBB West project, the federal government, the canton of Basel-Stadt and SBB are creating the infrastructural conditions for the station of the future. The extension, which is due to be completed from 2034, will link rail, streetcar, bus and bicycle in a new way and give the

The fifth generation of the Basel agglomeration program
The Basel region is sending out a strong signal for sustainable, cross-border development. With the submitted fifth-generation agglomeration program, investments totalling CHF 2.86 billion are being prepared, including CHF 293 million for projects to be implemented urgently from

Master builders and trade unions agree on new national collective agreement
After months of wrangling, the Swiss Federation of Master Builders and the trade unions Unia and Syna have agreed on a new national collective agreement for the construction industry. The six-year agreement includes new rules on working and travel times, a wage package including inflation

Hot concrete from Pompeii
At an ancient building site in Pompeii, researchers have discovered evidence of a hot-mixing process for Roman concrete. The discovery strengthens the theory of self-healing concrete and contradicts the traditional description by the architect Vitruvius. With consequences for the understanding of

Swiss premiere in building automation
The sfb is the first university of applied sciences in Switzerland whose Building Automation HF course has been officially recognized by the federal government. This provides state protection for qualifications, strengthens the profession of building automation technician HF and sends an important

How the old real estate market is slowing down the new China
China is at a turning point. While electric cars, AI and green tech dominate the headlines, a deep-seated real estate crisis is eating away at the foundation of the economy. Major developers are faltering, provinces are groaning under debt, deflation is eating away at confidence and yet Beijing is

Real estate market 2026 stable tailwind from low interest rates, AI boom and scarce space
The National Bank's interest rate freeze, high valuations on the real estate markets and a global surge in investment in artificial intelligence will shape the investment year 2026. While Wüest Partner expects financing costs to remain low and price momentum to slow on the Swiss construction and

How much of the past can densification tolerate?
The Brunnergut residential development is a child of the post-war era. Functional, dense, with underground parking and a lot of neighborhood history. Now the building appeals court is stopping its removal from the municipal inventory and demanding an independent additional report. Winterthur must

Training offensive for networked building technology
The sfb is the first university of applied sciences in Switzerland to achieve state recognition for its Building Automation HF course. This enables recognized qualifications and also takes into account the need for highly qualified specialists in this field in the context of the Energy Strategy

Railroad modernization in the sensitive Alpine region
STRABAG is continuing the renewal of the Central Railway line in the Haslital. The modernization project is intended to ensure flood protection there. The location of the construction site, which runs through several nature reserves, is a particular challenge for logistics and

Million-euro financing accelerates autonomous construction site technology
Gravis Robotics can intensify its global market launch with 23 million dollars in funding from several venture capital companies. The Zurich-based start-up has already found numerous new industrial partners for its autonomous

Construction industry sets an example in terms of quality, innovation and tradition
Maulini SA wins the third edition of the Prix SVC Genève. The construction company was recognised by the jury for its development as a family business, its commitment to sustainability and its impact in the region. The other finalists were Fielder SA, Physiothérapie La Colline Groupe, Jacquet SA

Electrochemical breakthrough in the fight against contaminated sites
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) have developed an electrochemical process that converts environmental toxins such as DDT and lindane into valuable industrial chemicals. This technology can be used to clean up contaminated landfill sites or soil on



