November 9, 2025 · Media Releases
Prof. Dr. Adrian Wildenauer appointed Head of the Centre for Smart Building & Real Estate
From February 2026, Prof. Dr. Adrian Wildenauer will take over as head of the newly established Center for Smart Building & Real Estate at HWZ. He is recognised as a leading expert in digital construction, smart building, and data-driven real estate services. The centre forms part of the new Department of Banking & Finance, Controlling and Real Estate, which will be led by Dr. Nadine Rusch-Schenker from January 2026.
With the new Department of Banking & Finance, Controlling and Real Estate, HWZ is strengthening its organisational structure and creating space for professional synergies. Under the leadership of Dr. Nadine Rusch-Schenker, the areas of expertise will in future be strategically consolidated and further developed on an interdisciplinary basis. The aim is to address current market trends, to foster closer links between research and practice, and to promote new undergraduate and executive education programmes.
A central element of this development is the newly established Center for Smart Building & Real Estate, led by Prof. Dr. Adrian Wildenauer. In this role, he aims to play an active part in shaping the ongoing advancement of the construction and real estate sector:
The real estate sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation – from digitalisation and ESG requirements to building-as-a-service models. Our aim is to harness digital innovations in such a way that they create genuine added value in terms of sustainability, economic efficiency and user comfort.
With this appointment, HWZ is sending an important signal of its commitment to strengthening its expertise in digital transformation and innovation within the construction and real estate sectors.
With Prof. Dr. Adrian Wildenauer, we are gaining an internationally connected expert who uniquely combines theory and practice. His work on smart buildings, digital twins, and data-driven services enhances HWZ’s capacity for innovation in the field of real estate management.
Prof. Dr. Adrian Wildenauer will begin his role as Head of the Centre for Smart Building & Real Estate in February 2026. In this position, he will be responsible for existing continuing education programmes, develop new formats, and systematically expand research in this field.
About Prof. Dr. Adrian Wildenauer
Prof. Dr. Adrian Wildenauer is currently Professor of Digital Construction at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH). Previously, he held positions including Head of BIM Standardisation & Industry Activities at SBB AG, as well as senior roles at pom+ Consulting AG, Ernst & Young Real Estate AG, and Ed. Züblin AG.
His research focuses on building-as-a-service, digital twins, digital product passports, data management, and service-dominant logic in the construction and real estate sectors.
Prof. Dr. Wildenauer completed his doctorate at the University of Economics and Business in Prague and has undertaken numerous further training courses in the fields of leadership, innovation, data governance and educational neuroscience – including at Stanford University, King’s College London and University College London.
