According to current estimations, around 40% of global CO₂ emissions are caused by real estate, with approximately 70% being produced while a building is in operation, and 30% during construction. We can no longer view the economy as a linear process – instead, we must see it as circular, because resources are not infinite. This means consciously using all materials up until the end of a product’s service life and documenting them accordingly, so that they can be fed back into the closed loop in a way that preserves value and resources.

However, today’s economy still largely follows the linear process logic of raw material, production, product, consumption, waste. Here’s a simple example: while dial telephones of the past lasted a good 40 years, the only thing that generally matters in today’s modern smartphones is performance, which is improved every two to three years to such a degree that the device is ready to be replaced again almost as soon as it has been purchased. For this reason, we need to rethink our approach and go back to manufacturing products which last longer and which suppliers can strip down to individual materials at the end of their service life, so that the resources can be fully fed back into the closed loop. 

Tackling challenges

The «circular economy» as a maxim of responsible action also needs to be more firmly anchored in the minds of the real estate sector. As a major real estate company, Swiss Prime has been committed to «circular construction» for some time, and was also the first signatory of the corresponding charter.

Its goal is to reduce the use of non- renewable primary raw materials to 50% of total volume, to record and significantly reduce the output of grey greenhouse gas emissions, and to measure and significantly improve the circular potential of renovations and new builds by 2030.

More specifically, this means making a careful assessment of the extent to which total demolition can be avoided and whether a renovation would be possible in place of a new build. If a new building is nevertheless required, it should be built with as long-term a perspective as possible. In general, it is important to reduce the use of materials and to record CO₂ emissions and resource requirements in order to ensure that, if demolition is necessary at a later date, the materials can be fully reused. In addition, when choosing the materials, the risks of pollutants should be kept to a minimum, while waste should be reduced during production and subsequent demolition. 

Leading by example

At Swiss Prime Site, the redevelopment project on Müllerstrasse in Zurich is a milestone, as most of the building shell was retained and 90% of the concrete reused, thereby saving 2 600 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Swiss Prime Site’s latest development projects consider even more aspects of sustainability. The «JED» new build project in Schlieren follows the «2226» approach: heating, mechanical ventilation and cooling are not needed at all in the office space, while operating energy expenses are minimised thanks to the particularly climate-­resilient building envelope.

A deliberate choice was made to preserve one building at the «YOND Campus» in Zurich Albisrieden, and the components and materials from the demolition that are suitable for reuse will be assessed. One particular planning specification in this project is to design the new buildings to be as neutral as possible for use as office or commercial space and, for the first time, consistently construct them using at least 50% renewable primary raw materials.

In addition to the ambitious targets for planning and implementation, Swiss Prime Site will also make an impact with this project when it comes to social sustainability and focus on «inclusion» when marketing the rental space. More information about the project and this approach are available on the corresponding website.