Renovation project focuses on the circular economy and reducing CO2 emissions
Sika is supporting the HIL Living Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) during the first three phases of the project. The teaching and research building for architecture and construction sciences (HIL) is being renovated and extended as a real-world case study for circular and digital construction.
According to its press release, Sika is participating as a funding partner in the three project phases – Exploration (2026), Synthesis (2027) and Transfer (2028) – of ETH’s Living Lab HIL. These phases will lay the groundwork for the refurbishment, energy-efficiency upgrade and extension of the teaching and research building for architecture and civil engineering (HIL) on the Hönggerberg campus. The major project is scheduled for completion by 2035.
According to ETH, the need for renovation and the changed spatial requirements clearly called for a complete refurbishment involving demolition down to the load-bearing structure. Instead, the university intends to treat the existing building with greater care and focus on CO2 reduction, digitalisation and the circular economy. It is developing the construction project internally, drawing on knowledge and insights from its own teaching and research and working with industry partners.
In this “globally unique flagship project”, as Sika describes it, the Baar-based specialty chemicals company for construction and industry is contributing more than just financial support. The project’s funding also encompasses an active and close technical exchange between Sika and the ETH project teams. This is facilitated through the ETH Foundation.
Sika aims to help “drive the transformation towards sustainable construction methods”, says Patricia Heidtman, Head of Innovation and Sustainability. “The Living Lab HIL offers a unique platform that actively links research and practice and tangibly accelerates innovation.”
Industry and science must act together to achieve climate targets, says Mathias Kohler, ETH Professor of Architecture and Digital Fabrication. “In cooperation with Sika, we are testing new solutions in the Living Lab HIL that will be implemented during the renovation phase of the ETH building from 2030 onwards.”