Asbestos, PCBs, PAHs—anyone renovating an older building will come across these terms sooner or later. And the most common reaction is: “The architect will take care of that.” Understandable. But not entirely correct.
The Role of the Architect
The architect bears a great deal of responsibility: He plans, coordinates, obtains permits, and has a legal obligation to inform the building owner and advise him on decisions. He is an indispensable partner in the construction process.
But he is not a specialist in hazardous substances. Assessing for hazardous substances is not automatically part of their scope of services—it must be explicitly agreed upon. In practice, this means the initiative lies with the building owner.
What the law says
For buildings constructed before 1990, an assessment for hazardous substances is required by law—regardless of the scope of the work. This requirement has been in effect in Switzerland since 2009: Anyone who fails to comply risks having construction halted by Suva and is personally liable. An overview of the most common hazardous substances:
pollutant | Typical locations | Risk period |
Asbestos | Eternit panels, flooring, sprayed plaster, seals | Manufactured before 1990 |
PCB | Sealants, paints, varnishes, coatings | Banned since 1986 |
PAH | Parquet adhesive, cork insulation, roofing felt, fill material | Manufactured before 1990 |
It is a debt that must be collected
A contamination assessment doesn’t happen on its own—the building owner must actively request it. In practice, however, hardly anyone knows what questions to ask, which specialized firms are truly independent, or whether quotes are actually comparable. This knowledge is lacking—and that is precisely where the risk lies.
Construction escrow as a complement to the architect
As the client’s representative, we step in where the architect’s role ends. We have practical experience with the issue of hazardous substances, coordinate assessments with certified diagnosticians, and ensure that the client has all the information they need to make informed decisions—before the first contractor steps onto the construction site. That is the gap we fill.
Are you planning to renovate an existing building? We’ll be there for you right from the start—working alongside your architect, on your side.