Canton creates temporary teaching rooms for the University of St.Gallen (HSG)

The Cantonal Council wants to position the canton of St. Gallen as a strong educational location both nationally and internationally. An important component of this is the University of St.Gallen. However, it currently has too little teaching and learning space for the growing number of students.

The space situation will continue to worsen in the coming years. In the debate on the 2026 relief package, the Cantonal Council is proposing to the Cantonal Parliament that the growth in student numbers be set at a target value of 9,500 students. However, the space situation at the University of St.Gallen will only ease once the Platztor campus is completed, which is expected to be in 2032, and the major cyclical renovation of the main building on the Rosenberg campus has been completed. Temporary space must be available for the duration of the renovation.

The university currently uses three temporary buildings on the Rosenberg campus. Two of these will reach the end of their technical life cycle in the next few years and the temporary building permits, which have been extended several times, will expire. They are to be replaced by a new, sustainable temporary wooden building.

Special loan for a temporary wooden building next to the university library

The government is applying to the cantonal parliament for a special loan of CHF 28 million as part of the 2026 budget. Any federal contributions will be deducted from the loan as soon as they are approved.

The canton-owned ‘Girtannersberg’ site is available northeast of the university library. A timber element building that can be dismantled and reused is to be constructed there by 2029. The temporary building is intended for teaching purposes and will have a usable area of around 3,200 square metres. Its useful life is set at a minimum of 15 years.