Sustainability in the construction industry is one of the key challenges of our time, while also offering significant opportunities to shape the built environment responsibly and with a long-term perspective. It is a topic that we engage with every day. Whether working on private or commercial developments, small-scale interventions or large, complex projects, the many dimensions of sustainability are an integral part of our planning process and influence a wide range of project tasks. They continue to shape the way we design, plan and build.
David Stauffer
08. July 2026
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As part of the CAS Sustainable Construction continuing education programme, our colleague David Stauffer explored the topic of sustainability in the construction industry in depth and shared the key insights during an internal knowledge session.
The presentation began with an overview of global developments, highlighting the construction industry's significant contribution to resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation.
The focus was on understanding sustainability as a holistic approach that equally considers environmental, economic and social aspects. In addition to topics such as CO₂ reduction, energy efficiency and the circular economy, factors including life cycle costs, user comfort and social responsibility were also discussed.
Building on this foundation, practical strategies for architectural planning were presented, ranging from critically questioning the necessity of construction projects and reducing building volumes to optimised structural solutions and the conscious selection of materials. Particular emphasis was placed on the early project phases, where the most important decisions for sustainable outcomes are made.
The session also introduced relevant certification systems, standards and practical tools that can support planners in their daily work.
In the following short interview, David talks about the key insights he gained from his continuing education and their significance for planning practice.
Which insight from the CAS Sustainable Construction programme has had the greatest impact on your perspective on planning and developing sustainable building projects? What impressed me most was the realisation that the greatest opportunities for sustainable construction lie in the early stages of a project. Decisions regarding the site, building use, building volume and structural design often have a far greater impact on a building's environmental performance than later optimisations during the detailed design phase. Sustainability therefore begins long before material selection – it starts with the fundamental question of what should be built and how.
Where do you see the greatest potential in day-to-day planning practice to integrate sustainability into construction projects effectively and economically? A key approach is to critically challenge existing requirements and develop projects with the efficient use of resources in mind. Significant amounts of materials and energy can often be saved through carefully considered construction methods, compact floor plans, efficient structural systems and the continued use of existing buildings.
Many people associate sustainable construction with high costs and complex certification systems. Based on your experience, which measures can be implemented in almost any project with relatively simple means? Sustainable construction does not necessarily require extensive certification systems or labels. Even targeted individual measures can make a significant difference. These include optimising the building envelope, reducing unnecessary floor area, selecting durable materials, and designing for future disassembly and reuse. The key is to integrate sustainability considerations from the earliest planning stages and consistently incorporate them throughout the entire project development process. Sustainable solutions are not necessarily more expensive – in many cases, they even lead to more economical outcomes over the long term.
>>> Examples of sustainable projects in our portfolio include the HORTUS tenant fit-outs and the YARA apartment building in Andermatt.
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David Stauffer
08. July 2026
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