Cooperation and innovation as key drivers for sustainable construction at Swiss Prime Site

Early-defined sustainability ambitions as the key to success

Swiss Prime Site (SPS) places great importance on defining sustainability ambitions early in the project. Especially in the real estate and construction sector, it is crucial to set concrete goals from the beginning that consider both ecological and economic factors. Early planning ensures that sustainable solutions and measures are systematically integrated into the construction process and aligned with partners and the project team. Working with partners who share the same ambitions is essential in this process.

The challenge of transitioning to a circular economy 

One of the biggest challenges for SPS as a developer, and for the entire construction industry, is transitioning from a linear to a circular economic system. Currently, construction operates primarily on linear processes: raw materials are consumed, and at the end of their lifecycle, they are discarded. The shift to a circular economy requires rethinking beyond existing roles and system boundaries. It is crucial to rethink both technical and ecological cycles, as well as the concept of responsibility. Partnerships and collaborations play a vital role in accelerating this transformation. This is why SPS is a co-initiator of the “Kreislauforientiertes Bauen Charta”, aligning its efforts with the concrete ambitions outlined for 2030. Established certification systems are also used to ensure a minimum standard of sustainability in nearly every construction project, providing a unified reference framework. A central challenge remains the availability and interpretation of data in the context of life cycle assessments and circularity. Improving the measurability of circular economy principles in construction projects is essential for establishing long-term sustainable solutions.

Cooperation and innovation as drivers of sustainability

At Swiss Prime Site, innovation is a central driver for advancing its sustainability strategy. The company uses various channels and methods to engage its stakeholders. From investors to tenants, different tools are employed to make sustainability tangible and understandable while driving it forward together. One current example is the "Green Leases," which embed sustainability aspects directly into lease agreements. This allows property owners and tenants to develop common priorities, agreeing to sustainable practices such as using renewable energy or choosing eco-friendly materials when expanding rental spaces. It’s a next-level stakeholder dialogue.

MANAL: Circular economy you can see and touch – A building block for the future

For Pfenninger, it’s clear that the MANAL project makes the circular economy tangible. The pavilion provides a hands-on demonstration of how product innovations can promote sustainable building. It showcases how recycled building materials and innovative products, such as those developed by Oxara, can be used. MANAL serves as a flagship project that illustrates the possibilities of circular construction and demonstrates how theoretical approaches can be applied in practice. For SPS, participating in MANAL was a natural decision to underscore their commitment to circular building.

Cement and concrete as key elements of decarbonisation

Cement and concrete are central when it comes to decarbonising the construction industry. The CO₂ emissions generated during the production of these materials are significant, which is now widely known. The development of alternative building materials, like those from Oxara, is a crucial step toward reducing CO₂ emissions and realising the vision of buildings as material and component depots. Swiss Prime Site believes that there won’t be just one solution to drive decarbonisation. A variety of approaches and innovations will be needed across the entire value chain to achieve Net-Zero goals.

One thing is clear: decarbonising the construction industry will not be achieved through a single solution. A multitude of approaches and innovations will be needed to turn the vision of a building as a material and component depot into reality. However, it is certain that cement and concrete play a key role in this transformation. And this is exactly where Oxara comes in, says Pfenninger: with its innovative products and solutions, the company makes a significant contribution to reducing the construction industry’s CO₂ footprint and establishing sustainable construction. Through projects like MANAL, Oxara shows that the path to a climate-friendly future is possible—and can already begin with concrete steps today.