
Expansion of the clean room in Buchs
The high-precision manufacturing industry in the Rhine Valley needs state-of-the-art research infrastructure in order to remain competitive. OST - Ostschweizer Fachhochschule, RhySearch and Switzerland Innovation Park Ost are therefore planning to expand the clean room in Buchs in order to tap into

Robot platform ensures safety and efficiency on construction sites
Construction sites are among the most dangerous working environments in Europe. With the development of the CONCERT modular robot platform, the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is setting a milestone in construction automation. The reconfigurable solution can take on heavy, dangerous and

Federal government adjusts cost limits for housing subsidies
On 1 February 2025, the revised ordinance of the Federal Office for Housing (BWO) will come into force, setting new cost limits and loan amounts for rental and owner-occupied properties. This takes into account the increased land and construction costs and improves the funding opportunities for

Test planning for urban space at Winterthur railway station
Winterthur's main railway station is about to undergo a comprehensive redesign. Up to 180,000 travellers a day are expected by 2050, which is why not only the station itself but also its surroundings need to be further developed. Test planning is now to clarify how public spaces, traffic routing

Rising prices and a tight rental market
The Zurich property market remains on course for growth, but while owners are benefiting, the situation for tenants continues to worsen. Residential property prices rose by 3.3% in 2024, while the shortage of rental flats intensified. Particularly noteworthy: rents were increased not only for new

Housing situation of older people in Switzerland
Older people in Switzerland often live in central, spacious and affordable flats, but there is often a lack of accessibility and age-appropriate furnishings. The "Housing in old age" study carried out by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts on behalf of the Federal Office for Housing

Potential and challenges of new living concepts
The realisation of innovative forms of housing such as hall living or self-converted lofts offers new possibilities for the use of living space and promotes communal living. The study "Building and living communally", conducted on behalf of the Federal Office for Housing (BWO), sheds light on the

ETH Zurich and HSG strengthen Swiss industry
ETH Zurich and the University of St.Gallen (HSG) have launched the ETH-HSG Manufacturing Alliance to strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss industry and promote highly qualified young talent. The alliance combines the research strengths of both universities with 13 industrial partners and focusses


Innovative measurement technology facilitates structural inspection of reinforced concrete
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have developed a method based on electrochemical measurements to detect corrosion in the steel of reinforced concrete. The spin-off Talpa is to bring the concept to market

BAUMAG 2025 sets new standards
BAUMAG 2025 has once again shown why it is one of the leading trade fairs in the construction industry. With over 18,000 visitors, 200 exhibitors and a focus on digitalisation, sustainability and increasing efficiency, the trade fair set new trends for the future of the construction industry.

Vaud economy between recovery and uncertainty
After two years of weak growth, economic experts are forecasting an economic recovery for the canton of Vaud. The Vaud Economic Commission expects gross domestic product to grow by 1.8% in 2025 and to increase to 1.9% in the following year. Nevertheless, global uncertainties are clouding the

Potentials and challenges of repurposing
The housing shortage in Switzerland continues to worsen, while office and industrial space is becoming increasingly vacant. The conversion of such buildings into residential space offers a sustainable solution for efficiently utilising existing structures and promoting internal densification.

Online tool for climate-neutral industrial processes
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed an interactive online tool to help companies select the optimum high-temperature heat pump for their industrial processes. The platform offers a technology map that links heat pump systems with the specific requirements of

Campus Platztor architectural competition launched
A modern university building for 3,000 students is to be built in St. Gallen by 2031. The architectural competition is currently in the decisive phase. 16 selected planning offices will be working on their designs until May 2025. The winning project will be chosen and presented to the public in the

Innovation competition for construction start-ups in the third round
Swissbau and the Basel Startup Academy are once again supporting young companies from the construction and property sector with the third Swissbau Startup Challenge. This time, the focus is on the circular economy. For the first time, the Circular Award for innovative approaches will be presented

Digital Real Estate Summit: Innovation trifft Immobilien
Around 400 digital thought leaders and property professionals will come together at the 10th Digital Real Estate Summit to discuss pioneering technologies and market trends. A unique opportunity to familiarise yourself with innovations and examine their potential for your own company.

Ground-breaking ceremony for new production hall in Birr
BRUGG Lifting has laid the foundation stone for the Industrial Park 2025. This marks the start of construction work on the new production hall 6, which will be used for logistics and efficient goods handling. The company is investing a total of 13 million Swiss francs at its

Baden Cantonal Hospital celebrates handover of keys for new hospital building
Baden Cantonal Hospital (KSB) has celebrated the handover of the keys to its new hospital building. The eight-storey building is equipped with state-of-the-art medical and building technology. KSB has invested 600 million Swiss francs in the new building. It will be opened on 25

New standard at JVA Bostadel
The Bostadel prison in Menzingen is about to be renovated and extended. This project is not only necessary in order to fulfil the structural and operational requirements, but is also intended to improve the quality of the prison conditions for older prisoners and those in long-term custody.

Digital solution makes building renovations easier for owners
The Zurich Homeowners' Association (HEV) is adding Scandens' digital renovation planning to its advisory services. Based on a digital twin, the Zurich-based start-up offers over 500 combinations for the energy-efficient modernisation of your own

First construction phase in Unterfeld Süd in Baar starts in 2025
The realisation of the first stage of Unterfeld Süd in Baar begins with the construction of a residential high-rise and a commercial building. The clear approval of the people of Baar on 22 September 2024 and the innovative planning will create new standards for urban living and working.

Space for the future “An der Aa”
With the "An der Aa" project, a new urban quarter is being created on the former premises of Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe (ZVB), combining housing, infrastructure and public open spaces. With a broadly supported democratic vote of 81.3%, this project will represent a defining chapter in Zug's urban

Collateral in the construction and property sector – What to look out for?
Property projects are complex and large sums of money are at stake. The interests and therefore the need for security of the various parties involved differ. Of the various means of security, the "guarantee on first demand" stands

Merger in timber construction secures jobs and expertise
Blumer Lehmann takes over the timber construction division of the Hächler Group. Hächler's business will operate under a new name, while the workshops and the timber construction team will remain at the Neuenhof site. The merger is intended to strengthen the timber construction expertise of both


Foldable and reusable formwork revolutionises concrete construction
Architecture doctoral student Lotte Scheder-Bieschin has produced a lightweight, foldable and reusable formwork for concrete vaults at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). This allows up to 60 per cent of concrete and up to 90 per cent of steel to be

St.Gallen freight station site underestimated development area
Rear station neighbourhoods are often regarded as unused spaces with unclear development potential. Yet they harbour valuable opportunities for urban transformation. In an interdisciplinary collaboration between ETH Zurich and the University of St.Gallen, students developed visionary concepts for

Record figures and creative impetus for the property sector
The Swiss property fair for investors, IMMO25, set a new attendance record in 2025 with over 5,167 visitors and 154 exhibitors. Under the motto "Growth through creativity", the trade fair served as a central platform for innovation, expertise and exchange in the property