More and more pilot projects and research initiatives are showing that the construction industry can significantly reduce its climate impact by increasing the use of natural, locally available building materials. At the same time, there are design, economic and health benefits. Switzerland is at

Swissbau 2026 offers the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects the opportunity to analyze developments in procurement since 2024. The focus is on successes, new opportunities and existing challenges. These include project alliances, quality discussions, market observation and the integration of

Switzerland urgently needs housing and progress in the energy transition. To ensure that approval procedures are no longer slowed down by restrictive regulations for the protection of the townscape, new federal measures are providing more planning freedom and relief for the cantons and

In Zurich, the consultation on the revision of the Planning and Building Act has begun. The aim is to make it easier to convert and extend existing buildings and to promote the maximum utilization of land. The aim is to make better use of ecological, social and cultural benefits in

The danger posed by PFAS, so-called "perpetual chemicals", has arrived in the Swiss construction industry. New studies confirm the spread of these pollutants in demolition materials and groundwater. The federal government and the industry are looking for solutions, but the road to a pollutant-free

OLWO welcomed around 1,500 guests to its sawmill in Worb to mark the Swiss Wood Days 2025. The company is active in sawing and planing as well as the sale of wood-based materials. Former wrestling king Christian Stucki surprised those interested in wood with a

The EuroTube Foundation has put its Smart Mobile Factory into operation on the grounds of the Innovation Park Zurich. The container-based factory produces concrete components for the DemoTube research facility. Construction is controlled via a digital

The German border bridge over the Oder near Küstrin has a supporting structure that essentially consists of 88 carbon hangers. These were developed with the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) and reduce

The Ferrum Group has celebrated the opening of its new ferruBase building in Schafisheim. The extension offers 240 new office workstations, several production rooms and a training workshop on an area of around 14,000 square

At the Pro Tool Innovation Awards 2025 in the USA, Hilti received six awards for product innovations in categories such as fastening and measuring technology. Hilti Group CEO Jahangir Doongaji discusses how Hilti is driving innovation at the Open-i

The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and Omya are working together to further develop their concrete with up to 70 per cent less clinker. It is being tested in the new NEST unit Beyond.Zero. Omya is contributing its expertise as a specialist in industrial

The new Oder bridge between Küstrin-Kietz and Kostrzyn sets international standards in bridge construction. For the first time, ultra-light and robust carbon cables, developed and tested at the Swiss Empa, are supporting a railway network arch bridge with a large span. The project is regarded as

Despite lower immigration figures, the situation on the housing market worsened in the first half of 2025. A strong economy, low interest rates and faltering residential construction are exacerbating the shortage. Low-income households and the lower middle class are particularly affected. These are

SwissSkills 2025 in Bern provided an exciting showcase for Swiss vocational training and technology. 62 young talents competed for gold in seven building technology professions, driven by precision, innovative spirit and passion. The newly crowned Swiss champions 2025 set new standards and

The prestigious Neom project in Saudi Arabia, a symbol of a technocratic future and the centrepiece of Vision 2030, is facing a significant course correction. The planned mega construction of "The Line" has been dramatically shortened and further expansion has been largely halted. Financing

SME Technik has begun the expansion of its production halls in Emmen. Workplaces for up to 60 employees are to be created on three floors. The CNC manufacturing specialist is investing 7 million Swiss francs. The energy-efficient building was planned and realised by Cerutti Partner Architekten

Anyone who wants to market a property knows that visibility is the key to success. In an environment that is becoming increasingly digital with each new day, seconds can make the difference between attracting the attention of potential buyers and the success or failure of your business. With the

The wooden balustrades at the Hotel Schatzalp in Davos have been replaced with modern technology. The designs were created by architectural researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). They were realised by timber construction company Künzli Davos using a digital

VELLOWS is further expanding its market presence in Germany. Since 1 September, the consultancy firm for the construction and real estate sectors has also had a branch in Cologne in addition to its offices in Zurich, Basel and

With a legally binding ruling by the Schaffhausen High Court, the building technology association Suissetec has achieved an important success in the fight for fair market conditions. Two former employees of Elektrizitätswerk des Kantons Schaffhausen were convicted of abusing monopoly rights for

On 09.09.2025, the Swissbau Community Event took place at uptownBasel in Arlesheim - a highlight for the construction and real estate industry. Around 80 participants from the Swissbau Community were given exclusive insights into current topics such as steel re-use, CO₂-neutral energy supply and

With the new NEST unit "Beyond.Zero", Empa, Eawag and Omya are sending a strong signal for climate-friendly construction. From August 2025, a real test environment for CO₂-reduced and CO₂-negative materials that are intended to make the entire life cycle of buildings more sustainable will be

With the "Sustainability Toolbox", the Swiss Association of Master Builders, Infra Suisse and Bauenschweiz are providing a practical instrument for public awarding authorities and engineering firms. The aim is to systematically integrate ecological, social and economic criteria into construction

Researchers from science and industry are closing a gap in structural calculations in timber construction. The horizontal load-bearing capacity of timber in walls with window openings is calculated using tests and mathematical models. The aim is to save on steel beams and concrete

Industrial designer Björn Ischi has fully equipped the remodelled Building 1 at the Sursee campus with circular furniture. He has created sustainable training and office facilities for the education and seminar centre from used materials that are economically competitive with standard market

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

Nüssli has broken ground on the extension to the Mack Pyramid in Monheim. As general contractor, the company plans to celebrate the topping-out ceremony on the 95th birthday of artist Heinz Mack in March

Power-generating windows are no longer a dream of the future. New developments from research and industry are turning glass surfaces in façades into active energy sources without compromising the

Starting signal for a project of the century in Ticino. Construction work on the new SBB plant in Arbedo-Castione will officially begin with the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony on September 5, 2025. Commissioning is planned for mid-2028. With an investment of CHF 755 million, SBB is sending a

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