Building Surveying for SBB – from Basel to Biasca

Railway stations never sleep. Trains run, travelers stream through the concourses, technicians work behind the scenes—and we’re right in the middle of it all with our laser scanner. That’s exactly what makes projects in the railway sector so challenging and, at the same time, so exciting.

In recent years, we’ve established ourselves as a reliable partner in the railway sector—so much so that we now have a framework agreement with SBB and are officially one of their partners for building surveying in Switzerland. From Basel through Solothurn, Bern, and Lucerne all the way to Biasca, Cadenazzo, and Chiasso in Ticino: No two train stations, depots, or operational buildings are alike.

What drives us in these projects
Rail infrastructure is complex. Historic structures meet modern installations, historic preservation meets current operational requirements—and operations continue uninterrupted while we scan. It is precisely in this environment that the true value of quality building surveying becomes apparent: precision, reliability, and a team that knows what it’s doing.

A selection of our SBB projects
At the Biasca locomotive depot, we digitally documented a piece of Ticino’s railway history—a historic building dating back to 1874 that is now used for new purposes and required a reliable as-built documentation for that.

At the Murten train station and the Lucerne station area, we demonstrated that precise surveying works even in public spaces that are in constant use—discreetly, efficiently, and on schedule.

In Cadenazzo, at Solothurn’s West Station, and in Rupperswil, we documented buildings with a long history in a way that allows architects and specialist planners to work directly with the data.

Finally, the Basel station footbridge is a good example of just how complex surveying can be at one of Switzerland’s busiest train stations—and how important experience and careful preparation are in such projects.

What We Deliver
For all our SBB projects, we deliver a complete 3D model as standard—supplemented, depending on the task at hand, by point clouds, dimensioned 2D plans, and BIM foundations. Everything from a single source, with our own modeling center behind the scenes. The result: a digital foundation that architects, specialist planners, and project managers can truly rely on—today and ten years from now.

Key Insights on Building Surveying in the Railway Environment
Why is building surveying particularly challenging for SBB properties? Rail operations and planning take place simultaneously. Buildings are often historic, protected as cultural heritage, and difficult to access. VDE has the experience and methods to deliver precise results on time, even in this environment.

What does VDE typically provide for SBB projects?
For all SBB projects, VDE delivers a complete 3D model—supplemented, depending on the scope of work, by point clouds, dimensioned 2D plans, and BIM data.

Is VDE an official partner of SBB?
Yes. VDE has a framework agreement with SBB and is therefore one of the official partners for building surveying in Switzerland. Who are VDE’s as-built documentation services intended for?

Architectural firms, specialist planners, building owners, and project managers—anyone who needs a reliable digital foundation for renovations, retrofits, or the long-term management of buildings.

In which regions of Switzerland does VDE operate on behalf of SBB?
We operate throughout Switzerland—from Basel, Solothurn, and Bern, through Lucerne and Zurich, to Rupperswil, Cadenazzo, Chiasso, and Biasca in Ticino.