New life on the Landolt site
An innovative development project is being built on the Landolt site in the center of Näfels. The clear phasing, the diverse use of the existing buildings and an interesting open space design combine past and future to create an exciting whole. The focus is on densification, mixing and flexibility in dialog with space, landscape and society.
Nestled between Mühlebach and Kleinlinthli, the Landolt site impresses with its central location. Accessible by rail and the A3 highway, the site offers an ideal starting point for future-oriented neighborhood development. Its proximity to historic ensembles and open spaces lends the project a special charm. The initial planning study shows a target image that provides for structural densification and develops open space sequences out of the landscape. An interior space is created from the west and east, characterized by waterscapes, green streetscapes and areas that can be used in a variety of ways.
Participation and planning as a prelude to transformation
The participatory planning study process was completed at the end of 2024 and a final report is to be produced by mid-2025. An indicative project is already planned for the end of 2025, which will be converted into a design plan from 2026. This process will be accompanied in collaboration with the spatial planning office and the design commission of the Canton of Glarus. The planning will take place in parallel with the renovation of the existing buildings, which will avoid vacancies and preserve existing “treasures”.
Staged development with a clear strategy
The project will be implemented in coordinated stages. Initially, the focus will be on the space that will become available in the medium term following the departure of the Landolt company. Existing buildings will be put to valuable interim use during this phase, for example as a mobility hub or as alternative space for the existing tenants. The phasing will take place with the involvement of the existing commercial tenants.
In a further phase, the first new uses and solid, permanent open spaces will be created within the so-called talent zones. Materials that have been dismantled and defined for further use will be temporarily stored on site and reused in the subsequent construction phases.
The final stage involves targeted densification along the cantonal road. This not only increases the quality of stay, but also creates a better network within the site thanks to the newly planned Fabrikgasse. The final stage is the innovation campus and the multi-talent at Chli Linthli, which will be developed independently of each other in line with demand.
Space for innovation, identity and the future
The Landolt site is not only being densified, but rethought. Historical substance meets flexible spatial structures. Squares and compact retreats create a lively, diverse quarter. The vision is a mixed-use, sustainably developed and identity-creating area for regional businesses and now also a small proportion of mixed-use housing.