City of Zurich honors best construction projects 2025

On Thursday evening, October 2, 2025, the 19th award ceremony for good buildings in the city of Zurich took place in a festive setting. Mayor Corine Mauch, together with City Councillor André Odermatt, Head of the Building Department, and City Councillor Simone Brander, Head of the Civil Engineering and Waste Disposal Department, presented a total of ten awards, six recognitions and the Audience Award.

The award-winning projects, which were realized between 2021 and 2024, contribute to the identity and quality of life of the city of Zurich with their architectural quality, responsible use of resources and strong social connection. From Friday, October 3, to November 9, 2025, the award-winning buildings will be on display in the themed exhibition at the Zentrum Architektur Zürich.

One hundred projects, ten awards
“The quality and diversity of the hundred or so projects submitted was impressive,” explained Mayor Corine Mauch. The works submitted create lively urban spaces with a high quality of stay, promote social interaction and shape the identity of the neighborhoods. An interdisciplinary jury of experts chaired by City Councillor André Odermatt selected the ten outstanding buildings from this broad spectrum.

Socio-spatial and ecological responsibility
The assessment went beyond pure architecture. Socio-spatial aspects such as inclusion, meeting opportunities and the responsible use of natural resources were also included in the decision-making process. “What all these projects have in common is that they take responsibility for people, nature and the identity of the city. They shape how we perceive Zurich and create lasting memories,” says André Odermatt.

Open space as the key to urban quality of life
City Councillor Simone Brander particularly emphasized the importance of even small and inconspicuous open spaces: “These in-between spaces significantly determine how a city and its districts function and how we experience them.”

Audience award goes to the new building of the University Children’s Hospital
The audience award was determined by an online vote and went to the new building project of the University Children’s Hospital Zurich with around 300 votes. With its modern wood and concrete architecture, the building creates a warm atmosphere and sets new architectural and functional standards in healthcare construction.

Award-winning projects
Office and commercial building Binzstrasse
Client: Swiss Life Asset Management AG
Architecture: EM2N Architekten AG
Landscape architecture: Balliana Schubert Landschaftsarchitekten AG

Complete refurbishment of the “Im Birkenhof” housing estate
Client: City of Zurich
Architecture: Romero Schaefle Partner Architekten AG
Landscape architecture: Westpol Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH

Complete refurbishment of Zurich main station south wing
Client: SBB AG, Immobilien Development
Architecture: Aebi & Vincent Architekten SIA AG

Complete renovation of Building Q, Werkstadt Areal
Client: SBB Immobilien AG
Architecture: Baubüro in situ ag
Transformation of use: denkstatt sàrl

House in the garden
Client: Irma Peter
Architecture: Loeliger Strub Architecture
Landscape architecture: Permatur

High-rise ensemble WolkenWerk and Messeturm
Client: Leutschenbach AG, Nyffenegger Immobilien AG
Architecture: Staufer & Hasler Architekten AG, von Ballmoos Partner Architekten AG
Landscape architecture: Mavo GmbH

Kongresshaus and Tonhalle Zurich – renovation
Client: Kongresshaus-Stiftung Zürich
Architecture: ARGE Boesch Diener
Landscape architecture: Vogt Landschaftsarchitekten AG

New University Children’s Hospital Zurich (Audience Award)
Client: Children’s Hospital Zurich – Eleonorenstiftung
Architecture: Herzog & de Meuron
Landscape architecture: August Margrith Künzel Landschaftsarchitekten AG

Provisional sports buildings
Client: Canton of Zurich, Department of Structural Engineering
Architecture: pool architects
Landscape architecture: Balliana Schubert Landschaftsarchitekten AG

Allmend school complex
Client: City of Zurich
Architecture: Studio Burkhardt – Studio for Architecture ETH SIA
Landscape architecture: Ganz Landscape Architects

Temporary sports buildings and school buildings were also recognized for their use of wood and sustainable design.

Exhibition and podium
The exhibition at ZAZ Bellerive offers the opportunity to get to know all the award-winning building projects in detail. On November 5, 2025, there will also be a panel discussion on the topic of “Weiterbauen: Strategies for the existing building stock”. Leading experts from the fields of architecture, planning and real estate development will discuss perspectives for urban redensification and the sustainable use of existing buildings.

A prize with tradition and a sense of the future
The City of Zurich’s award for good buildings is only presented every five years and is the city’s most prestigious architecture prize. By consciously taking sustainable and social criteria into account, it promotes a building culture that not only shapes Zurich today, but also makes it worth living in for future generations.

Quelle Zürich