Wood is the raw material of the future - sustainable, renewable and climate-friendly. But how much wood is actually available in Switzerland and how can it be optimally utilised? Researchers at Empa and WSL have comprehensively analysed the material flows of wood and show ways in which this

In an interview with the Mayor of Zug, we discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the city of Zug on its path to a sustainable, innovative future. From economic growth and affordable housing to climate protection measures - the mayor explains the visions and concrete measures that are

The "Think Earth - Regenerative Building" flagship project, which is funded by Innosuisse, is researching innovative construction methods using wood and clay. The aim is to develop efficient, scalable methods for climate-neutral construction and to strengthen the circular

Hardwood is increasingly being cultivated in Swiss forests and its sustainable utilisation requires new approaches. Empa researchers have developed a ground-breaking solution: Wood that glows green with the help of a fungus and, as a biohybrid, enables new applications in design and

The SIA 451 standard, an indispensable tool for the construction and planning industry, has undergone a comprehensive revision. With the new title "Provision and utilisation of data in the construction process", it has been adapted to modern requirements and remains a central basis for data

The Mukaab, a monumental building 400 metres high and wide, is being built in Riyadh and is planned to be the largest building in the world. The project is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 to prepare Saudi Arabia for the post-oil era. However, the history of other mega

The Lycée Français de Zurich has laid the foundation stone for a new building. The expansion of the public school in Dübendorf is being managed by the Zurich branch of HRS and financed by Zürcher

The Swiss parliament has decided to restrict the right of appeal of associations for smaller residential construction projects. This applies in particular to construction projects in water areas and areas of national

Parliament agrees on a reform of noise protection requirements in residential construction and promotes the renovation of polluted children's playgrounds. The revision of the Environmental Protection Act brings compromises on noise limits and remediation

The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) uses a so-called shaker to simulate the vibrations of earthquakes on structural models. This should lead to greater safety in buildings. The experiment will be presented at the open day on 14

Plants use the sun's energy to produce sugar, which trees can convert into wood. Wood is an environmentally friendly building material that has been used by people for a long time. Today, the entire wood value chain provides around 80,000 jobs in Switzerland, which corresponds to approximately 2%

Construction expenditure in Switzerland rose slightly by 0.2 per cent in 2023. Investments in building construction fell by 0.3 per cent. Investments in civil engineering increased by 2.7 per

In order to remedy the acute lack of space at Zurich Opera House, construction of a temporary bridging building will begin in July 2024. This step is part of the "Future Opera" project, which includes the long-term renovation and expansion of the historic

The recycling of cement paste offers a low-cost and effective method of reducing emissions in cement production, as a new study by Imperial College London shows. With a reduction of up to 15% in emissions, this technology opens up promising prospects for the construction

The introduction of the Information System Allianz Bau (ISAB) by a broad alliance of employers' organisations and trade unions has driven digital change on construction sites. Within five years, ISAB has become an important information platform for the enforcement of generally binding collective

Known the world over for its economic vitality and excellent living environment, Geneva constantly attracts highly qualified workers from all over the world. The city offers an ideal combination of professional opportunities and a first-class environment for a fulfilling

Thermoplan has inaugurated its new building at the company headquarters in Weggis. The global manufacturer of fully automatic coffee machines celebrated the opening with almost 5,000 visitors. Over 500 Thermoplan employees work at the headquarters in

Forschende der Hochschule Luzern und der Technischen Universität München erzielen mit dem Forschungsprojekt circularWOOD den ersten Platz bei der Sustainability Challenge der Deutschen Gesellschaft für nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB). Der Preis wurde in der Kategorie Forschung für die Umsetzung

The federal government wants to stabilise development outside of building zones with a partial revision of the Spatial Planning Act. The Federal Council has submitted a draft for consultation. The draft will allow new buildings up to a maximum of 1 per cent of the 2023

The Canton of Zurich has launched the new GIS browser at geo.zh.ch/maps. The popular tool, which displays geographical information on interactive maps, has been completely revamped. Modern, user-friendly and with extended functions, it fulfils the needs of professionals and private individuals.

The Canton of Zurich has introduced a new pipeline cadastre portal that, since May 1, 2024, centrally and freely provides information about all above-ground and underground supply and disposal pipelines. This system significantly facilitates planning, construction, and maintenance work and offers

Wood is highly durable by nature. If it is installed dry and kept dry during construction, it can last for many generations. In areas with high humidity, wood can be protected by construction measures or various treatment methods. In addition, wood can be excellently combined with other materials

The Aargau Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AIHK) has received planning permission from the city of Aarau for the planned new Haus der Wirtschaft. The demolition of the existing building will begin in mid-August. The new building should be ready for occupation in spring

The Zurich-based consulting firm Conspark has developed a new tool for calculating circularity in the construction industry. This free tool can be downloaded from the company's website and allows users to analyze the circularity of their building products. By entering data from the environmental

After a comprehensive realignment, Admicasa welcomes the former St. Gallen district president Stefan Kölliker as a new board member. Kölliker, who recently retired from active politics, brings extensive experience to the strategic leadership and further development of the

With its innovative "Circular Zurich" strategy, the City of Zurich is taking decisive steps towards a circular economy in order to promote the sustainable use of resources and minimise environmental impact. This initiative comprises 79 targeted measures that directly address not only municipal

A comprehensive meta-study by the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) analyses the potential and challenges of urban CO2 removal methods. The study shows how cities could make a significant contribution to reducing global CO2 emissions through innovative

Vienna is the first major city to use the construction software from smino. The digital tool has also gained a foothold in several German cities. It aims to save resources, time, and money in urban

Legartis and Implenia aim to accelerate the review time of comprehensive contracts in the construction industry. To achieve this, the contract review specialist using artificial intelligence (AI) and the internationally active construction company will develop an AI

Holcim acquires Tensolite. The leading Argentine manufacturer and distributor of precast and prestressed concrete systems expands the Zug-based building materials producer's portfolio in Latin America. Tensolite's distribution network extends from Argentina to Paraguay and