NEST – Exploring the Future of Buildings
NEST accelerates the process of innovation in the building sector. In this modular research and innovation building of Empa and Eawag, new technologies, materials and systems are tested, researched, honed and validated in realistic conditions. The close cooperation with partners from research, industry and the public sector helps launch innovative building and energy technologies on the market faster.
NEST at Open House Zurich 2018
On 29 September, NEST will open its doors for Open House Zurich. Visitors can expect guided tours of the DFAB HOUSE, SolAce, Urban Mining & Recycling and the Water Hub and talks by NEST architect Fabio Gramazio.
Where structure and ornamentation merge
Researchers at ETH Zurich have fabricated an 80 m2 lightweight concrete slab at the DFAB HOUSE, making it the world’s first full-scale architectural project to use 3D sand printing for its formwork.
Solar Fitness & Wellness wins architecture award
On 8 June 2018, the "Award for Marketing + Architecture" was presented for the sixth time at the KKL Lucerne. The Solar Fitness & Wellness unit is the winning project in one of six categories.
Topping-out ceremony of the DFAB HOUSE unit
A few days after the robotically prefabricated timber modules of the DFAB HOUSE were assembled, the researchers and craftsmen involved celebrated the topping-out ceremony together on 5 July 2018.
Building with waste and recycled material
On 8 February 2018, the Urban Mining & Recycling unit opened its doors. It is a residential module out of materials that can be fully reused, repurposed, recycled, or composted after deconstruction.
Construction start of the NEST unit SolAce
Since mid-February, the unit SolAce is being installed in NEST. The star of the unit is the façade, which is designed to ensure a positive energy balance of the combined living and working areas throughout the year.
HiLo roof prototype passes field test
Researchers from ETH Zurich have built a prototype of the ultra-thin, curved concrete roof for the NEST unit HiLo using innovative digital design and fabrication methods.
Coloured PV modules for Meet2Create
What influence do printed images on photovoltaic modules have on the electrical performance? The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences investigates this question with coloured PV modules at Meet2Create.
NEST in the words of the Empa Deputy CEO
At the eco2friendly-DAY18 Peter Richner, Empa Deputy CEO, presented how research, industry and the public sector are paving the way for the future of the construction and energy sector (in German).
