The Swiss company Sika joins the Living Lab HIL as a funding partner, thereby supporting sustainable and circular construction. Through a significant contribution, Sika will support the project’s early phases – “Exploration” (2026), “Synthesis” (2027) and “Transfer” (2028). These stages will prepare the renovation and extension of the HIL building, which will serve as a real-world case study for circular, resource-efficient and digital construction.
Living Lab HIL is a globally unique flagship initiative that will explore new approaches to sustainable construction until 2035. The project focuses on reducing CO₂ emissions, advancing digitalisation and promoting circular construction practices. Researchers, students and industry partners wil collaborate to develop and test innovative solutions for the future of the construction and real estate sectors, with the aim of implementing them during later stages of the project.
Bringing research and industry together
“As an innovation leader in the construction industry, we want to actively help drive the transition toward more sustainable construction practices,” says Patricia Heidtman, Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer at Sika. “Living Lab HIL provides a unique platform that connects research and real-world application and helps accelerate innovation.”
Matthias Kohler, Professor of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich’s Department of Architecture, emphasises the importance of collaboration: “Industry and academia must work together to achieve climate targets. In collaboration with Sika, we are testing new solutions in Living Lab HIL that will be implemented during the renovation phase of the ETH building starting in 2030. With the support of leading industry partners, we can translate research innovations directly into practice and demonstrate how sustainable and circular construction will shape the future.”
Long-term partnership
The project is supported through the ETH Foundation with a multi-year funding commitment. In addition to financial support, the partnership includes close technical exchange between Sika and the ETH project teams.