
Parahotellerie drives overnight stays in Spiez to new record high
Tourism generated 198,000 overnight stays in Spiez in 2025. Overnight stays in non-hotel accommodation rose by 35 per cent to 63,000, while those in hotels fell by 2.5 per cent to 135,000. Spiez Marketing intends to tackle the associated challenges together with its

New process brings decorative high-performance wood into series production
Koster AG Holzwelten has developed marble wood in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa). The wood is characterised by a pattern of black lines caused by a fungus. It is now being marketed under the name


How Basel-Landschaft creates spaces for innovation and living
Innovative neighbourhoods, campuses and parks are being created on industrial sites in the Basel region. Flexible architecture, sustainable energy, smart mobility and new working environments are transforming various sites into laboratories for the future of the

Renovating bridges with “smart” steel
A large proportion of Swiss bridges date from before 1980 and are slowly reaching the limits of their service life. An Empa team has now developed a reinforcement system that uses ultra-high-strength fibre-reinforced concrete and "shape memory steel" to stabilise even damaged bridge slabs and make

From local entrance to networked residential address
At the southern entrance to Rickenbach ZH, a new housing estate with around 72 flats in seven wooden houses and small-scale commercial use is being built on the Neugut site. The article shows how the winning project by Fischer Architekten and Uniola strengthens the character of the village,

Clean waste disposal systems as a success factor in property management
Clean and functioning waste disposal systems are becoming increasingly important for owners and managers. Increasing demands on hygiene, operational safety and sustainability are raising the importance of professional container cleaning. A practical event in Ascona showed how modern solutions prove





New distribution centre strengthens fresh produce logistics
The food retailer Denner has opened the country's first Minergie-certified distribution centre for fresh produce in Mägenwil. From there, 250 of the 872 branches will be supplied with fresh food. Denner is creating 70 additional jobs at the

Without materials research, there would be no progress
Empa develops the batteries, sensors, building materials and quantum technologies of tomorrow. The clear goal is to develop materials that advance everyday life, climate protection and industry at the same time. For Director Tanja Zimmermann, it is clear that sustainability is not possible without

New role for H₂ heat
In Offenbach, the world's first catalytic hydrogen air heating system from HYTING is running in real operation, flameless, emission-free and as a supplement to the heat pump. It could become a building block in the heating revolution for trade and industry, but remains a technological niche for the

Innovative materials in construction
In the Speakers Corner at Swissbau, ICSC Beton AG, KLARK, KohlenKraft and Timber Structures 3.0 showed how building materials are becoming active levers for the climate transition. From CO₂-storing concrete to large-scale wooden ceilings. The speakers presented concrete projects that demonstrate

New construction of the Fröschmatt School in Pratteln
The replacement building for Fröschmatt School sets new standards for school facilities in the Basel area and ensures the long-term quality of education in Pratteln. The project is a prime example of future-proof architecture and sustainable development in public


New headquarters combines industrial history with modern architecture
ABB plans to invest around CHF 80 million in the construction of a new headquarters in Zurich-Oerlikon. The historic ABB building will be used for the project, which will be renovated in accordance with heritage protection requirements and expanded with a six-storey

Historic thermal baths get a green future
The Bad zum Raben cooperative has obtained planning permission for the renovation of the historic Bad zum Raben baths. Around CHF 3.5 million in funding is currently being sought for the extensive renovation of the baths, with construction scheduled to begin at the end of


Building a house from plastic waste
Researchers are developing 3D-printed floor beams made from plastic waste that meet building regulations and could replace wood in housing construction in the future. The approach is aimed at lightweight, modular constructions and making plastic waste usable as a resource in global housing

Canton of Nidwalden triples funding for energy-efficient building renovation
The canton of Nidwalden is significantly expanding its support for energy measures. The 2026 energy promotion programme provides for three times as much funding as in the previous year. With federal funds, the budget rises to a record high of 6.3 million Swiss


Digital product passport brings transparency to the circular economy
Sky-Frame AG has published a digital product passport with a cradle-to-cradle compass. Developed by epeaswitzerland, this tool provides information on the window manufacturer's supply chains and the returnability of its products, among other


Building lease flats create new living space in Altstätten
Halter is taking on the construction of the new Tres Terrä residential quarter in Altstätten. The project is being realised in collaboration with the Catholic denomination of the Canton of St. Gallen and Tend AG. The ground-breaking ceremony has now taken



