Zuchwil waste plant divides opinion over its design
Sunday 11th October 2026 on 08:01 in
Switzerland
The design of a new waste incineration plant in Zuchwil, canton of Solothurn, has split local opinion, SRF reports. The 130-by-110-metre building is 60 metres tall and features what is currently Switzerland’s largest facade-mounted solar installation.
The Kenova plant has been burning waste since summer 2026 for about 500,000 people across 176 municipalities in the cantons of Solothurn and Bern. The previous plant, in front of which the new one was built, is now being demolished.
Some residents have praised the new building as modern and attractive, while others have called it an ugly block and questioned the expense. Architecture and construction circles have also praised its design. The architecture platform Espazium described it as “a proud outsider” and a “monument”.
Architect Christian Penzel, who designed the plant, said he sees it more as a landmark than a monument. Its chimney rises 80 metres, and a glazed viewing room sits at the top.
Tags: Zuchwil, architecture, waste incineration