Sustainability

Sustainability is an integral part of PalaCinema Locarno, a design and institutional choice that permeates every aspect of the building and its management. PalaCinema Locarno adheres to the definition set out in the Brundtland Report: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

This commitment translates into a practical approach, guided by three principles: avoid, reduce, offset. Energy waste is avoided through LED lighting, automatic switch-off systems and preventive maintenance of the building systems. Environmental impact is reduced through integrated architectural and technological choices. What cannot yet be eliminated is offset, contributing to a more responsible future.

Reusing the historic structure of the former Municipal School, rather than demolishing and rebuilding it, has made it possible to avoid the waste of embodied energy, significantly reducing the carbon emissions associated with construction. A choice that draws on the principle of urban recycling, making PalaCinema Locarno an example of sustainable contemporary architecture in Switzerland.

Minergie

PalaCinema Locarno holds MINERGIE certification, the Swiss standard for low-energy buildings. The building achieves an energy index of between 30 and 38 kWh/m²/year, thanks to a range of integrated measures:

Renewable energy: A 135.7 kWp photovoltaic system is installed on the roof, with an estimated annual output of around 130,000 kWh — one of the largest systems in the Locarno area.
Geothermal heating and cooling: PalaCinema Locarno does not use fossil fuels for heat generation. Heating and hot water are provided by a geothermal groundwater heat pump with a thermal output of 450 kW. Cooling is achieved by drawing cold water from Lake Maggiore at a depth of 45 metres, transported via a pipeline approximately 1,000 metres long, ensuring a constant temperature of between 7 and 8 °C.
High-performance building envelope: The building is insulated internally with 18 cm of insulation material. All windows have been replaced with energy-efficient triple-glazed units, featuring gold-plated frames that increase the reflection of natural light.
Efficient lighting: The entire building is equipped with a high-efficiency LED interior lighting system.

Swisstainable

In 2025, PalaCinema Locarno SA achieved Level II – Engaged status under the Swisstainable programme, the Swiss tourism sustainability initiative that brings together businesses and organisations from across the national tourism sector.

By participating in Swisstainable, PalaCinema Locarno SA is committed to a structured path of sustainable development, through targeted measures in the environmental, social and economic spheres — making a concrete contribution to positioning Switzerland as a responsible and forward-looking tourist destination.

Membership of the programme is based on twelve key aspects ranging from the management of natural resources to mobility, from waste reduction to working conditions, and from responsible hospitality to innovation. This commitment is explicitly integrated into PalaCinema Locarno SA's institutional strategy.