Institute of Facility Management
"The IFM stands for the sustainable development and management of healthy living and working environments. Sustainable real estate, intelligent building systems, healthy workplaces and innovative service offers are our teaching and research priorities."
Prof. Dr. Isabelle Wrase and Michael Kauer, Co-Institute Directors
Organigramme(PDF 90,7 KB) I Advisory board I About us I Expert groups
We shape living and working environments
The ZHAW Institute of Facility Management IFM in the LSFM Department in Wädenswil and Zurich is the Swiss centre of excellence for bachelor's and master's degree programmes, continuing education, research and development, and services in real estate and facility management.
As a 50-strong team of dedicated experts, we are committed to advancing science and practice in the management of real estate, workplaces and facility services throughout the entire life cycle. Our teaching is practice-oriented and our graduates are sought-after specialists and managers in the Swiss economy and internationally.
Bachelor of Science in Facility Management
The Bachelor's degree in Facility Management provides you with the necessary knowledge to manage real estate and facilities economically and sustainably. In addition, you will learn how to optimise building systems in terms of the structural infrastructure and how it is used, how to design supportive workplaces, and how to develop, organise and realise innovative services and events. You will also learn about business management methods, team leadership and interdisciplinary work.
Detailed information about the Bachelor in Facility Management
Master of Science in Real Estate & Facility Management
The "Master of Science in Real Estate & Facility Management" is a unique offering for students in Switzerland. This degree will qualify you for managerial positions in strategic areas of responsibility in real estate and facility management. You will work in the real estate industry or support the core processes of a company, contributing to the sustainable achievement of organisational goals.
Detailed information about the Master Real Estate & Facility Management
Continuing education
The Institute offers a wide range of certificate courses and continuing education courses (CAS and MAS), training courses, continuing education courses and specialist conferences.
- Continuing education courses in Real Estate & Facility Management
- Conferences in Life Sciences and Facility Management
Research, development and services
With our research, we contribute to the development and innovation of processes, organisations, methods and products in real estate and facility management. We work on current and future economic and social issues.
Expert Group Business Administration/Human Resources
The expert group Business Administration/Human Resources is dedicated to business and employee-related topics in facility and workplace management. Our approach is science-based and application-oriented. Together with clients and cooperation partners, we develop well-founded and practical solutions.
Prof. Dr. Lukas Windlinger Inversini, Director
Expert Group Hospitality & Service Management
Topics from the field of Hospitality & Service Management are about stakeholder-centred management of services, such as those offered in health organisations, catering and hotel businesses. Together with our research partners, we investigate issues and develop systematic approaches to solutions. With our business partners, we analyse problems, develop practical approaches and accompany their implementation.
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Merkle, Director
Expert Group Real Estate Management
The Real Estate Management expert group researches topics and develops solutions for the entire life cycle of buildings - from strategic site and use planning to the sustainable operation of real estate and sites. The overall economic importance of real estate is immense, both from the point of view of economic and ecological resource allocation. We are therefore intensively involved in sustainable real estate management (Sustainability in Real Estate and Facility Management) and the digital transformation of real estate management processes (Real Estate and Facility Management digital).
Prof. Dr. Carsten K. Druhmann, Director
International University Network
The Institute for Facility Management IFM has a large international university network. The numerous Swiss-European Mobility Programme SEMP partnerships promote international exchange. Whether an exchange semester at Bachelor or Master level or a doctoral programme abroad, the possibilities are almost limitless. Find out more about stays abroad here.
Biophilia Living Lab
It's green at the IFM all year round! The Biophilia Living Lab not only beautifies the learning environment of our students, but also serves the expert group Business Administration/Human Resources for research purposes. More photos and project details can be found here.
Future Collaborative Environment Living Lab
A Living Lab was set up in the RA building in Wädenswil for the teaching and research field "Real Estate and Facility Management digital". It offers users the opportunity to interact with the physical space and the digital world in their collaborative processes - supporting all senses. How this triad can work together is the leading research question in order to advance innovative ecosystems in the context of a Smart Campus and the digital transformation in real estate and facility management. You can find more project details here.
