The debate about a sustainable building stock is at a crossroads. While the construction of energy-efficient buildings, energy-efficient renovation and the use of low-emission energy sources are now standard practice, the opinion-forming process on grey energy is still in full swing. Grey energy is

The canton of Zurich wants to further reduce emissions in the building sector. To this end, the cantonal government is applying for a new framework credit of CHF 60 million until 2029. Together with federal funds, up to CHF 286 million is available for energy promotion

A new part of the city will be built on the Wolf development site in Basel from 2028. SBB is granting building rights for two plots to the Basler Wohngenossenschaft and Vivanta AG. Around 270 affordable apartments based on the cost-rent principle will create a mixed, lively

In 2026, the Swiss real estate market will continue to be caught between interest rate reversals, political uncertainty and declining construction activity. While residential properties continue to increase in value, the commercial market is coming under pressure. The latest SIV market report shows

Roof areas larger than 300 square metres in the canton of Zurich are to be used entirely for the production of solar power in future. This is what the cantonal government is proposing. In addition, grid operators are to jointly promote long-term storage in

Switzerland is getting a new strategy for its official surveying. This should contribute to greater reliability, accessibility and usability of official geodata. For example, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and 3D modelling are to be integrated into the land

From 20 to 23 January, the industry will meet at Swissbau 2026, where experts, planners and innovators will experience on 80,000 square meters where building, living and design are heading in a practical, inspiring and future-oriented

The Valais-based start-up Urbio has successfully launched its software for planning urban district heating networks on the European market. The reason for the expansion is the potential of district heating, which could cover up to 50 per cent of total heating requirements in the future. Currently,

Swissbau, which begins on 20 January 2026, will focus not only on digitalisation and collaboration, but also on the key topic of circular economy and materials. The construction and real estate trade fair will offer lectures, panel discussions and practical examples on these

From the 2026/27 academic year onwards, the Thun Hotel Management School will offer students the option of commuting daily instead of staying at the school hotel. Teaching hours, inter-company courses and the organisation of the school day will be adjusted accordingly to offer this

esave ag offers two new solutions for flexible and energy-efficient lighting in buildings and public spaces. The DT8 TC and DT8 RGB LED drivers enable simple, centralised and precise control of light colour and intensity. They are now being presented at the World Future Energy

Trainees at Basel-based energy supplier IWB have turned their Metro project into a start-up. They are giving disused Metro 45 street lights a new lease of life as floor lamps. Basel-based lighting specialist Regent AG is acting as a partner for quality and safety

The "Achtung Barriere!" project tests how people with disabilities experience the city and what obstacles make their everyday lives difficult. Mixed reality applications are used for this purpose. The project is being carried out by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Correctiv.Schweiz

Markus Mettler takes over as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilatus Arena AG. Mettler also chairs the Board of Directors of Halter AG, which developed the arena in Kriens, opened in October 2025, and remains the majority

After almost 30 years at the helm of the Hotel Bernerhof Gstaad, Brigitte and Thomas Frei have transferred their majority stake to two new owners. Geneva-based RISK MANAGEMENT GROUP and Zug-based Holdingstone AG have handed over operational management to François Grohens.

Pensimo Fondsleitung AG is planning a capital increase of CHF 150 to 200 million for the Swissinvest Real Estate Fund in 2026. This is intended to repay borrowed capital for the acquisition of two properties in

Bieri Tenta AG, which specialises in fabric solutions, has successfully completed the construction of a warehouse for Theler AG and BOWA Recycling AG at the Susten site. The warehouse will enable efficient management of materials for the recycling operation in

Spitch and Adnovum have launched an artificial intelligence-powered voicebot. Berna enables damage reports to be quickly recorded and processed by the Bern Building Insurance Company

Regionalwerke AG Baden (RWB) is taking over the electricity grid in Turgi. The previous operator, AEW Energie AG, will remain responsible for electricity supply and customer service until 31 December 2025. Lower electricity prices have been announced for

The Watt d'Or 2026 marks the end of the road and at the same time makes it clear where Switzerland's energy future is heading. The focus is on sector coupling, alpine solar energy, electrified mobility and circular

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, three start-ups that emerged from Empa will show how Swiss research is turning into market-ready hardware innovations for energy storage, photovoltaics and electronics cooling. The focus is on ultra-thin solid-state batteries, silent cooling technology for high-performance

The Hobelwerk in Oberwinterthur shows how a dense, mixed-use district can be created from a former industrial site right next to the train station, combining living, working and community life in a new way. Around 400 people live and work here in a confined space with diverse forms of housing,

Following the fire in Valais, the cantons have halted the "BSV 2026" project and put the planned relaxation of Swiss fire safety regulations on ice. Instead of deregulation, the focus is now on analysis, clarification and readjustment, with an open outcome between tightening, standardization or

Rio Tinto and Glencore are negotiating a potential mega merger that could create the world's largest mining and commodities group with a strong focus on copper. Rio Tinto must decide by February 5, 2026 at the latest whether a binding offer will be made. Whether the Zug-based group will actually be

Daniel Kuster, a high-profile personality with broad real estate and governance experience, will strengthen the Group's strategic management in future. He is to be elected to the Boards of Directors of Property One Partners AG and Property One Investors AG at the Annual General Meetings in April

Sunrise is considering cutting up to 190 jobs and is thus once again tightening its austerity measures after a short time. Around seven percent of the workforce could be affected. A cutback that exemplifies how tough competition has become in the Swiss telecoms

More and more people are living in less space. New-build apartments are becoming smaller for the first time in decades, while the living space per capita remains historically high. This trend is fundamentally changing planning, construction and energy policy and is turning space itself into a

The Zurich cantonal government wants to generate more solar power from its own roof and at the same time promote the development of long-term energy storage systems. Two amendments to the law are intended to promote security of supply and self-production, with a sense of proportion and a spirit of

When different specialist cultures plan and build together, solutions are created that transcend the discipline. The MSc VDC at the FHNW shows how communication, structure and openness enable progress in digital

The mood in the Basel property world is tense, and rightly so. Anyone planning, redeveloping or investing in projects today feels the contradictions between political aspirations, economic reality and social expectations. Hardly any other economic region in Switzerland is currently as exemplary of