Key facts
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), represented by its Real Estate unit, is constructing a new laboratory building with cutting-edge research infrastructure on its Hönggerberg campus. The HPQ physics building is intended to meet current and future research challenges.
A guarantee credit of CHF 339 million is available for the construction project. The current cost projection stands at CHF 387 million. The increase in costs is mainly due to inflation. Construction began in the fourth quarter of 2022, and the moving-in date is scheduled for the first quarter of 2030. The project is around one-and-a-half years behind schedule compared to the 2021 decision on the guarantee credit.
With its audit, the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) assessed whether economic aspects were adequately taken into account in project decisions. The audit findings show that this was not sufficiently done in the competition phase. Moreover, during the execution phase, remaining gaps in project management need to be closed and the project management placed on a firmer footing.