
Densification displaces fewer tenants in Geneva than in Zurich
Building densification is displacing fewer low-income households in French-speaking Switzerland than in German-speaking Switzerland. These are the findings of a study conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich for the Federal Office for


SVIT Switzerland with new management
At the delegates' meeting in Lucerne, SVIT Switzerland not only initiated a comprehensive change in leadership, but also passed important strategic resolutions. Education, politics and networking remain the three main pillars of the association. Now under a new presidency and with a clear course

Experts call for construction process reform
Objections and appeals are among the most serious obstacles to residential construction in Switzerland. A new study shows that they not only cause construction delays, but also higher housing prices. Experts are calling for clear legal intervention for greater efficiency, legal certainty and

EMPA wins Building Award 2025
Empa receives the prestigious Building Award 2025 for a pioneering concrete process. With the help of biochar pellets, the building material is not only climate-friendly, but also actively stores CO₂. The award-winning development is an example of a profound change in the construction industry

Walz 4.0 brings construction into the digital future
The Interreg project Walz 4.0 is creating an ambitious model for sustainable construction in the four-country region of Lake Constance. Under the leadership of the ZHAW, craftsmanship expertise, academic knowledge and digital technologies are being combined. The aim is a building culture that


Basel-Stadt tests CO2-neutral concrete in pedestrian zones
The canton of Basel-Stadt is currently trialling new furniture for Basel's meeting zones. CO2-neutral and cement-reduced concrete is being tested for the production of benches and plant troughs. The aim is to make the meeting zones as climate-friendly as



Robust market in Lucerne
Despite geopolitical risks, structural change and restrained construction activity, the Lucerne market for commercial space is proving robust. A recent LUKB study provides differentiated insights into the development of office, retail and industrial space - with stable prospects for Central

Switzerland is the most competitive country in the world in 2025
Switzerland climbs to first place in the IMD's World Competitiveness Ranking 2025. An impressive signal of stability, efficiency and future viability in an increasingly fragmented global market. While protectionist tendencies are on the rise and geopolitical tensions are making international

Zurich and Aargau plan mobile network
Together with regional planning associations, the cantons of Zurich and Aargau have started work on a regional overall transport concept (rGVK) for the Limmat Valley. The aim is to achieve sustainable mobility development by 2050 - networked, multimodal and coordinated across cantonal

New recommendations for better protection of high-quality floors
The Durabilitas Foundation for Sustainable Development has worked with partners to develop recommendations on how soils can be better taken into account in spatial planning. Applications in other countries and Swiss pilot projects were analysed for this

Solar facade combines energy generation with architecture
Megasol has developed special photovoltaic modules for the façade of the Bern 131 project in WankdorfCity. Together with the roof system, the shimmering blue modules will generate around 340,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. The building created by Atelier 5 is SNBS

Owner participation “Ziegelbrückstrasse” in Glarus North
The municipality of Glarus Nord is setting new standards in residential development with a participatory planning process along Ziegelbrückstrasse. By involving the owners at an early stage, a framework plan is being created that not only enables structural densification, but also creates identity

Federal government waives new financial incentives for building refurbishment
A postulate report sees no need to create further financial incentives for building renovation. Instead, the focus should be on advice and information. According to the report, there is also a good range of offers from the federal government and cantons in this

Takeover strengthens market position for building installations
The Debrunner Koenig Group is buying Simfloc AG from Frauenkappelen. The takeover of the specialist for fire protection, flocculation and insulation is intended to make the wholesale group from St.Gallen a full-service provider for building

Digital concrete analyses for higher quality and sustainability
Sika has acquired a stake in Giatec Scientic Inc. The Canadian company specialises, among other things, in digital solutions for the optimal mixing of concrete. Together with its admixture technologies, Sika aims to achieve significant savings in CO2 emissions and

Building culture in focus, NRP 81 begins
The National Research Program "Baukultur" (NRP 81) was officially launched with an inspiring kick-off meeting in Thun. The participating research teams and practice partners have clearly positioned themselves as a community that wants to tackle the ecological and social challenges of the built

Investment plans weaken in 2025, record high in 2026
Swiss companies' investment plans for 2025 are positive overall despite the subdued outlook. However, geopolitical tensions, in particular the US tariff announcement, have contributed noticeably to the slowdown. For 2026, companies are more optimistic than ever

Monument becomes a home with history
Strüby Holding AG has successfully completed the conversion and renovation project of the listed Gütsch farmhouse. The result of nine months of construction work is a modern detached house that preserves the 530-year history and the face of the building that characterizes the

Construction activity remains stable
At CHF 4.7 billion, construction activity in the first quarter of 2025 remained at the previous year's level. Commercial construction declined slightly, while residential construction increased beyond expectations. These are the findings of surveys conducted by the Swiss Federation of Master

Design guidelines for historic residential quarter
Urban planner OSRI supports 120 property owners in the Eigenheimquartier development in Winterthur. The aim is to establish criteria for the future design of the historic properties. The estate is to be preserved in its original character, as it is regarded as an example of urban planning to

Protect property more effectively against squatters
In Switzerland, property owners will be able to take faster and more effective action against squatters in future. Following the National Council, the Council of States has also approved an amendment to the Civil Code. This should make evictions easier and quicker, even if there are still minor

Insight into building permits and renovation dynamics
The new white paper from the Center for Risk Management at HEC Lausanne reveals the hidden trends in the Swiss real estate sector. With more than 45,000 building permits from 2024, the analysis provides valuable insights into the pace, cost and type of renovations and shows how much still needs to



