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Building for sustainable development - 10 case studies from Gothenburg

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Building for sustainable
development

10 case studies from

Göteborg, Sweden
 SUMMARY

In the task of working for sustainable development in society building is a relevant issue, because the
activities of the construction sector have a considerable effect on the environment. This sector stands for
not less than 40% of Sweden’s utilisation as regards materials and energy. With this as a background, the
local politicians of Göteborg have passed a motion about organising a land-use/architectural competition,
in which the best proposal for an environmentally friendly housing estate is to be drawn up.

What can we learn from the environmentally adapted schemes already built in the Göteborg region,
and how can experience from these be reapplied and further developed in future projects? – Ten case
studies are presented. These are comprised of residential buildings and non-residential buildings and
new construction and refurbishment projects: Lindholmen, Lindås, Rydebacke village, Bågskytten,
Universeum, Järnbrott, Kyrkbyn, Gårdsten, LFF’s office and Vasa. Both the actual buildings and the
development process are interesting, and these have been studied based on literature, interviews,
study tours and a seminar with representatives from each respective project. Aspects investigated
closer are energy, water and sewage, materials, health and indoor environment, eco-cycle, the place,
to a certain extent symbolic values, traffic and economics, as well as the design/construction process
and user participation.
This documentation reflects current knowledge about environmentally friendly construction
as well as providing a basis for the proposed competition. This review reveals that more projects
are needed with regard to taking up the challenge of ‘the environmental adaptation of the city
environment’. In addition, it would be interesting to leave the construction level and go over to the
implementation of systematic solutions, for instance, for sewage management at the street block or
district level.
Where shall the cutting-edge for new projects lie? If Göteborg wants to be up-front, for instance,
a competition should be focused on the best praxis and technology with some input of innovations.
A total view with partly self-sufficient systems within the system bounds of the area, at the same time
as the area is integrated in the existing infrastructure in order to support joint utilisation of service
functions and public transportation, should be one path to take. In order to be able to measure
progress, facilitate comparison with other projects and generate knowledge for subsequent projects, it
is important to have a good documentation and an evaluation of the project after implementation.
 From the point of view of energy, the
Lindås project demonstrates the course for
effective solutions. Generally, in the pro-
jects, the solar collectors for hot water
supply are established systems. Solar cells
for electricity supply are on the way, if still rather slowly.
Here there is capacity for technical and architectural
innovations. Energy utilisation is an effective indicator.
In the projects studied, however, it is often difficult to
calculate comparable energy values, and this should be
reviewed in future projects.
The intake of water is minimised through
water saving systems, which are installed in
all the projects. The local management of
surface water is also established; in a num-
ber of projects it is even an architectural
element. On the other hand, in these projects there is
a lack of creative solutions for dealing with wastewater.
Only at Rydebacke village is sewage from domestic use
filtered through soil, alternatively through a green-
house, and at Universeum different solutions are being
tested, among others biological purification in a mini-
waterworks.
Nutritive salts, as found in urine, are taken
total care of at Rydebacke village, Kyrkbyn,
Lindholmen, Vasa and Universeum. These
solutions function technically, but from
the recipient perspective changes and new
concepts are needed. The quality assurance of the urine
is one aspect, and more areas for spreading, such as golf
courses or parks, could be an alternative to pastoral
land.
Different materials can be compared from
the environmental point of view, and
there are far reaching cases of reutilising
materials, such as at LFF’s office building.
Everything from bricks, wooden flooring,
aluminium, insulation materials, stone from the site,
windows and steel beams have been recycled or reuti-
lised in the different projects. Several projects have
structural solutions able to be dismantled.
With regard to health and indoor environment, it may
be emphasised that sensitivity to electric current is an
important issue that has been taken account of in most
of the projects. Important aspects are also the reduction
of emissions from materials and surfaces as well as noise
disturbance in and outside the building.
Sorting at source, cultivation and compos-
ting in this context represent the eco-cycle,
and have been successful in many projects.
The issue that should be taken up in future
projects is at which geographical dimension
the solutions should be proposed i.e. local, within a
district or at the whole town level. Buildings have been
integrated so that the prerequisites of the place ‘are
matched’, and in certain cases the place has been ‘taken
possession of’ through cultivation, as at Järnbrott or
Bågskytten.
The environmental dimensions are an inseparable com-
ponent of the design issues, but they are not a question
of style. The architectural expression can encompass
everything from visualising and signalling the environ-
ment via designed links as at Lindholmen, Universeum,
Järnbrott or Gårdsten to adapting buildings in existing
environments of heritage interest as at Lindholmen and
Vasa.
Connections with public transportation have influenced
the placing of Vasa and Universeum. None of the pro-
jects have car-pooling schemes.
The detail design and construction process
and user participation have been important
for the results. The projects including envi-
ronmental education for the actors involved
as well as the communication of project
goals have provided good results, such as at Lindås,
Gårdsten and Vasa. Also user participation at Rydebacke
village, Universeum, Gårdsten and Vasa has resulted in
satisfied tenants and residents. However, one has to be
aware of the fact that acquiring knowledge takes time
albeit necessary as long as these issues are not completely
established within the branch.
PREFACE

This publication is a report about a project initiated by the

Planning & Building Administration and Property Manage-
ment Administration of the City of Göteborg, and carried
out during a four-month period in autumn 2003 by the
Chalmers School of Architecture, Theme for Built Environment and
Sustainable Development. The publication is primarily intended for persons
that are politically elected, involved in management, or other actors within
the construction sector who want to know more about the developments to-
wards sustainable building in Göteborg. It is also aimed at persons responsible
for formulating project programmes and briefs involving environmentally
friendly construction. In addition,
for a broader segment, such as stu-
dents of environmentally friendly
building and management, the
publication is intended to
serve as an introduction to
this considerable field.

Much gratitude goes to all

those that have contribu-
ted to bringing about
and contributing view- Cover picture: Apartment block in
points for this Dresden, summer 2003.

publication: The photos have been taken by

the author unless otherwise stated.
Hans Linderstad, director responsible for comprehensive planning and Ulf
Moback, landscape architect at the Planning & Building Administration; Peter
Junker, director responsible for housing; Hardy Svan, manager for investi-
gations and surveys at the Property Management Administration; Professor
Michael Edén, Professor Björn Malbert and post-graduate student Lena Simes,
at the Chalmers University of Technology, Theme for Built Environment and
Sustainable Development. Also many thanks to all those actors who participated
in the seminar on 15th October 2003, and that contributed with valuable ideas
and exchange of personal experiences. Not least, I should like to thank all of
those who obligingly volunteered for being interviewed and commenting the
manuscript. Marianne Linger, cartographer at the Building & Planning
Administration has been responsible for the production of maps and plans; and
Trad Wrigglesworth at the Melica environmental consultants has translated the Liane Thuvander
manuscript into English. Many thanks! Göteborg, July 2004

vi
 ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTATION IS ... 2

BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4

The actors and the ongoing activities 4

Buildings and their considerable environmental aspects 5
Levels of ambition 7

DEMONSTRATION CASES BUILT IN GÖTEBORG – A SELECTION 8

New construction 12

Lindholmen 14
Lindås 16
Rydebacke village 18
Bågskytten 20
Universeum 22

Refurbishment 24

Järnbrott 26
Kyrkbyn 28
Gårdsten 30
LFF’s office building 32
Vasa 34

WHAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM THESE PROJECTS? 36

The building as a product 38

The path towards the building – processes 40
Synergy effects 41

FACING NEW CHALLENGES 42

LIST OF SOURCES 46
 ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTATION IS ...

... no longer an issue of ‘why’, it is rather one of ‘how’. – The Swedish Gov-
ernment has set the course for sustainable development; fifteen objectives
for environmental quality have been established and different sectors in
society have environmental and sustainability issues on their agendas. The
issue of ‘how’ is also to a high degree of current interest for the construction
sector. This is because related activities, including everything from build-
ing, the manufacture of building materials to maintenance, management
and demolition, stand for roughly forty percent of all use of energy and
materials in Sweden, and thereby for a considerable influence on the envi-
ronment. The elected councillors of Göteborg have accepted the challenge,
and want to create a built environment that meets the future. A motion has
been passed about producing the best proposal for an ‘ecological garden
suburb’ and/or ‘urban eco-village’ by organising a competition.
There are already, however, a number of instances already built where
environmental adaptation has been a prominent ambition. Unfortunately,
the feedback of experience to subsequent projects is often limited, because
these projects are seldom subjected to an environmental evaluation, and
no active spreading of knowledge takes place. Where an evaluation has
been carried out it has often applied to technical systems and seldom
environmental gains as a whole. Faced with new environmental projects the
actors involved are time and time again confronted with the issue of ‘how’,
and a search for information (in vain?) is initiated under a considerable
pressure of time. With this in view this publication aims at the following:

• To spread information about good demonstration projects in Göteborg.

• To evaluate and learn from earlier implemented ‘ecological’ projects, in
order to make use of experience for future projects.
• To mirror the current state-of-the-art regarding ecologically adapted
building.

The objectives of the publication are:

• To create a knowledge bank and a source of inspiration for politicians,

developers, planners, managements and everybody that wants to become
familiar with issues about building for sustainable development in
Göteborg.
• To create a basis for an environmental programme for a land-utilisa-
tion/architectural competition in Göteborg directed towards housing
that persons with normal incomes are able to afford to rent.

2
The motivating issue for us becomes:

What can we learn from these projects that are presented, and how
can experience from them be re-cycled and developed further in future
projects?

In this publication ten demonstration projects in the Göteborg area are

summarised and analysed. These focus on environmental issues and sustain-
able development in various ways: energy, health, eco-cycle, materials, land
and water management, architectural expression, production process and
user participation. These examples are not comprehensive; rather they have
been selected in order to illustrate the range of different approaches, and
to include as many aspects as possible that may be a valuable reference for
new projects. Some of the projects have been awarded, not only environ-
mentally related but also thanks to their architectural qualities. The material
presented in this publication is based on the study of a considerable number
of reports, books, journals and newspaper articles, but also on interviews
conducted with a number of caretakers, administrators, project managers
and researchers. A seminar with representatives from most of the projects
has also been a rewarding source of knowledge.
Learning from examples already built and the transfer of knowledge
does not only take place in one way, but can be thought as being a
combination of several dimensions. One way of understanding a building
is to look at it; to study the visual technical solutions, i.e. to study the
‘visible’. Another means is to gather knowledge and information material
about the process; about how the building came about, from goals to the
performance at the user stage. Here one studies the ‘invisible’. A third way
of transferring knowledge about completed projects is to communicate
both the visible and the invisible, for instance, by writing about them in
the manner that is presented in this publication.
In this publication, the terms ‘environmental adaptation’ and ‘building
for sustainable development’ are to a certain extent synonymous. How-
ever, the term ‘environmental adaptation’ places a certain focus on the
physical structure and its interaction with nature, while ‘building for sus-
tainable development’ encompasses a broader perspective that includes the
actors and the coming about and management processes.

3
 BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The actors and the ongoing activities

A sustainable development is a development in society that satisfies the
needs of today without adventuring the opportunities for future genera-
tions to satisfy their needs. Sustainable development encompasses coop-
eration of ecological, economic and institutional and social dimensions.
Work for sustainable development in society in general and for sustain-
able building in particular is in full progress. Thus, in 1999 the Swedish
Government stipulated fifteen environmental quality objectives indicating
a direction as to what is to be achieved within a generation (20-25 years).
One of these objectives, ‘good built environment’ is explicitly addressed
to building, but even a number of the other objectives are relevant to the
construction sector. The Swedish Board of Housing, Building and Plan-
ning is the sector agency responsible, and has drawn up specific sector
objectives.
The Ecocycle council for the construction sector, a network of repre-
sentatives within the entire construction and property management
sector, coordinate the environmental work of the sector as a voluntary
commitment. Among other things, this Ecocycle council has surveyed
the considerable environmental aspects of the construction sector (2001)
and produced an environmental programme (2003).
Another initiative aimed at achieving a sustainable construction and
property sector is the so-called Build-Dwelling Dialogue (Bygga-bo-
dialogen), which is a voluntary agreement between the government
and representatives for the construction sector as well as a number of
local authorities, where those participating have agreed to become pilot
instances for implementing certain environmental measures. The Build-
Dwelling Dialogue gives priority to three areas: good indoor environment,
efficient use of energy and effective use of resources.
In general pilot projects and good examples play an important role
regarding building for sustainable development. Good examples may
comprise of technical innovations, organisational innovations or new
forms for cooperation. These projects help to aim towards higher goals;
they stimulate action and they provide guidance. To communicate
good examples is one stage in this task. Completed examples at the
national level are, for instance, projects such as the Hammarby Sjöstad
waterfront or the so-called Kikaren block district in Karlstad. However,
this publication focuses on projects in the Göteborg region.

4
 uses about
75 000 000 ton
materials annually.
stands for 10%
of all the transports
in Sweden.

The
Buildings and their considerable environmental aspects stands for 40% of
the total energy
construction
and material use in
Why is the built environment such an important part in the work for sector Sweden.
sustainable development? Buildings are complex products that have a
long life compared with most other products. Buildings provide space
is responsible for a
for one or more activities during their life-time and influence to a high considerable part of the
degree the life quality for people. Many actors are involved when a waste production. has annul running costs
calculated up to 200 billion
building is created and many different products are assembled to make SEK, at the same level as
new investments and
a building, which is more than the sum of the component parts. As in maintenance.

the case of the buildings themselves, issues about their influence on the
environment are complex, which the figure below illustrates. Source: Byggsektorns Kretsloppsråd (2002), modified.

INPUT OUTPUT

RESOURCES PRODUCTS/WASTE/EMISSIONS

Impact on Effects
Low order High order

Water Ground Acidification

Eutrophication
Building material Water Climate
construction Greenhouse effect
maintenance Emissions Depletion of ozone layer Humans
renovation Air
cleaning Photochemical oxidation Ecosystems
Energy Waste material Fauna Eco-toxology
- renewable Biotopes
- non-renewable Human toxology
operation Deposit of materials Waste water Flora
Radiation
Land Landscape Noise
Land use
Source: Thuvander (2002)

The environmental impact of building-

Building for sustainable development demands action at many different
levels. For instance, if we want to reduce the greenhouse effect we can
be more effective as regard to energy utilisation and/or utilise renewable
sources of energy. We can improve existing buildings and we can create
buildings that are environmentally adapted from the onset. Material flows,
and thereby the use of natural resources, can be reduced by reutilising
and recycling materials or selecting material with a long life.
related activities during the lifecycle of the
building. Reduced environmental impact
demands action even before the building is
constructed. In addition, the place and the
surroundings where the building stands are
influenced throughout the life of the building
through it taking up place on the ground,
generating traffic, etc.

5
 Construction phase
The environmental impact of the building
varies during its lifecycle.
The utilisation of energy and materials during
the lifecycle of the building if a relatively short
lifecycle of 50 years is assumed.
The energy figure in the user phase becomes
lower for energy-efficient buildings, for
instance, such as the houses at Lindås.
Materials and the ‘built-in energy’ become
more important.
The size of the flow of the materials
in the user phase varies.
The construction
sector’s important
environmental aspects
for buildings are:
1:
energy use during the
management of buildings.
2:
material use including waste
management during production
& management.
Source: Byggsektorns Kretsloppsråd (2002), modified.
6
User phase Demolition phase
kWh
5-15 %
kWh kWh
<5%
80-90 %
Material flows in
connection with
maintenance
Large material flows. refurbishment and Large material flows.
reconstruction.
Material is “hidden”
in buildings.
An environmental impact in a broad meaning occurs already during
the planning of a building or an area. When the content and architecture
of the building is decided, the building’s fundamental environmental
qualities are also decided. These include energy requirements, eco-cycle
adaptation, potential for disassembly, qualities of sound and air, which
later during the detail design and building stage are determined through
choice of construction, technical appliances and materials. In addition,
during the design phase the building’s
social and economic framework is decided
through the arrangement of rooms in and
4:
building parts and systems which outside the building.
have impact on the qualities of
sound and air in dwellings and To reuse and environmentally adapt
offices.
existing buildings is an important area of
investment due to the long lifecycles of
3: buildings. This lifecycle issue also means
use of hazardous substances
during production & running of that a large proportion of the building
buildings which have major impact
on ecosystems and humans health. stock for the near future already exists.
The precautionary principal
is applied. However, it is equally important to create
buildings equipped to meet the future.
Levels of ambition
In order to create a building able to meet future requirements and
demands for sustainable development in society we can choose the pace
in order to achieve this. Among other factors, this pace is determined
by the level of ambition there is in a project. Depending on where the
ribbon is placed, we shall for example be able to achieve the environmental
quality objectives within different time perspectives. When going out
with competitions or planning new projects, one must therefore have
a clear idea as to what level of ambition one will remain at. We can
distinguish between the following levels of ambition: basic level, best
praxis level and innovation level.

Well-reasoned activities worth testing with view

to the future and building for sustainable
development. Demand experiments and
testing of new products and systems as well as
a thoroughly planned process that emphasises
the necessity of evaluation.

Innovation level

That which can be

achieved with products
and techniques currently Best praxis level
available. Learning through
praxis, i.e. by implementation.

Measures that are not to be excluded.

Imposed demands, such as social require-
ments and standards are fulfilled. Tested and
available techniques and approaches, i.e. imple-
Basic level
mentation process come to use.

The triangular figure has been applied to the projects that are presented
in this publication and is linked to the period when the buildings were
built. Because all these projects are at the forefront regarding degree of
ambition, either at the levels of best praxis or innovation, the figure in the
Process Building
following test only illustrates these two levels. The green colour indicates
that the process distinguished itself in the project, and the orange colour Innovation level
indicates that the building and its technical solutions distinguished itself Best praxis level
in the project.

7
 COMPLETED CASES IN GÖTEBORG – A SELECTION

During the most recent decades a number of projects have been carried
out, which may be brought together under the heading of ‘Building for
sustainable development’. Those projects to be found in the Göteborg
region are set out in a list of projects in the appendix of the Swedish
publication ‘Byggande för en hållbar utveckling i Göteborg’ (2004).
This list does not claim to be comprehensive, but is primarily intended
to give an overall view of the current situation. It is a complement to
Ekocentrum’s environmental guide as well as an update of SAR’s (The
Swedish Association of Architects), and brochures by Femenias and Berg
(see list of sources of literature). The list of projects has also provided
support for the choice of the ten projects that are in focus in the
publication.
Why have just these ten projects been selected? The projects are a mix-
ture of new production and refurbishment projects and include both
residential and commercial buildings. Sometimes it is the building as a
product that is interesting, and sometimes it is the implementation pro-
cess that has generated lessons to be learnt from. They thus illustrate a
range, illustrating the differences regarding approaches and solutions,
but also ambitions and goals. Some of the projects have been evaluated
(technical systems, the process), and have thereby been well documented.
This facilitates a fresh examination of the material with new questions
and fresh perspectives.

8
 The matrix shows which

Rydebacke vill.
aspects each respective
project gave special focus

Universeum
Lindholmen

Bågskytten

LFF office
to. Most of the projects

Järnbrott

Gårdsten
Kyrkbyn
have worked with several

Lindås
of the aspects taken up.

Vasa
Category Aspect In order to focus on the
specific in each project
New construction Refurbishment up to six aspects have
Expression ☻ ☻ been selected. The
Symbol choice of these aspects
Educational project ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ has been made by the
Treatment of land/place ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ originator of the project, the
environmental coordinator,
Energy ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ the manager or researcher
Physical Material ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ involved. The matrix does
environmental not involve any evaluation
adaption Health ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ of the projects.
Water & sewage ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻
Eco-cycle ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻= special focus in the
User participation ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ project according to
Process ☻ the originator, environ-
Design/construction process ☻ ☻ mental coordinator,
property manager or
involved researcher.

= focus in this publica-

tion (chosen by the
author).

Expression:
The project aims to visualise ambitions
regarding environmental adaptation. Symbolic
conceptualisation.
Educational project:
The activity and the building are intended to
communicate knowledge about sustainable
development and environmentally friendly
construction.
Treatment of land/place:
The project utilises the natural prerequisites of the
place (topography, microclimate, consideration to
vegetation). Cultivation, local solutions for surface
water or sewage enrich the environment.
Energy:
The project focuses on the effective use of energy
and the utilisation of renewable sources of energy.
Health:
The project focuses on indoor climate. Noise and
allergy aspects are important as is for example
the minimisation of electro-magnetic fields and/
or emissions from building materials. Natural
ventilation.
Water & sewage:
The project works with local solutions for surface
water and/or sewage or systematic solutions
that take care of nutritive salts. Water saving
measures are implemented.
Eco-cycles:
The project focuses on linking the flow of
materials in the natural lifecycle. Because
materials and water and sewage are dealt with
as separate aspects, what is implied here by
eco-cycle are solutions such as cultivation,
greenhouses and composting.

Materials: User participation:

The project applies lifecycle concepts for choice
of materials, invests in reuse or future recycling.
Among other aspects, one works with the effective
use of materials, the utilisation of renewable
materials/materials free from hazardous
substances and has sorted building waste.
The users are actively involved in the project and
influence its content.
The design and construction process:
The project focuses especially on training all the
actors involved, developers, consultants, builders
and users. Documentation is a vital component of
the project.

9
 The geographic distribution and
place on the time scale of the ten
projects. Both new construction and
refurbishment projects and housing
and commercial premises are
included.

Non-residential buildings
Residential buildings
Refurbishment
Gårdsten
Gårdsten
New construction

Bågskytten
Bågskytten

LFF kontor
LFF kontor

Kyrkbyn
Kyrkbyn
Lindholmen
Lindholmen
Vasa
Vasa Universeum
Universeum

Järnbrott
Järnbrott
Rydebacke by
Marks kommun

Lindås
Lindås

Järnbrott (p. 26) Bågskytten (p. 20)

1994
1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

10
 It is difficult to grasp the whole picture, and a rightful comparison is
hardly made easier by the case studies being so different in character. In
addition, the description of the examples becomes an evaluation in itself.
The way in which the material is structured emphasises special aspects,
and in the reflections experience of special interest for each respective
project is emphasised, while other experience is suppressed or given a
more subordinate role.
However, for all the projects the following data has been collected:
general facts, details of the actors involved and the process, ambitions,
findings and lessons learnt from the project. A list of evaluations and
other literature is also included. In addition, as far as possible relevant
figures are included, such as annual energy utilisation per square metre
usable space, living space, etc. or economic figures.
I use the term ‘process time’ by which I mean the period from the
idea to the completion of the building. The utilisation, maintenance and
adaptation processes then continue as long as the building continues to
physically exist.

Lindås (p.16)
Lindholmen (p.14)

Rydebacke village (p.18) Universeum (p. 22)

LFF office (p. 32) Kyrkbyn (p. 28) Gårdsten (p. 30) Vasa (p. 34)
1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004
New

con
struction

Project----------------------------------------
New construction of 13 flats for rented
accommodation in a four-storey
apartment block.
Address--------------------------------------
Verkmästaregatan 2, Lindholmen
Completed-----------------------------------
1997 (Process time 1 year)
Area--------------------------------------------
Gross area: 1 280 m2
Living area: 842 m2/ 27 m2 outhouse
Developer------------------------------------
Göteborgs stads bostads AB,
Bostadsbolaget
Architects------------------------------------
Wingårdh Arkitektkontor AB
Contract--------------------------------------
Shared contracting
Finance---------------------------------------
Cost of construction including
development costs 15 MSEK
Contacts-------------------------------------
Bostadsbolaget: 031-731 50 00
Homepage-----------------------------------
http://www.bostadsbolaget.se/
14
Lindholmen
The ecological apartment block at Lind-
holmen is situated in a highly rated heritage
conservation area. The block is built adja-
cent to, and in the same style as, century
old apartment blocks of combined brick
and wood construction (which are charac-
teristic for former working-class residential
districts in Göteborg). The block was built
as a demonstration project for an interna-
tional housing fair in Göteborg.
The ambition behind the construction of this
block was to create eco-cycle adapted living
conditions for ordinary tenants, and a mod-
ern housing block in this traditional style that
would symbolise ecology. The challenge also
lay in building in an existing urban environ-
ment.
The block is provided with several attributes
associated with ecological building: solar
collectors for hot water supply, greenhouse
for cultivation, allotment gardens nearby,
earth-cellar storage, sound ‘real’ materials
such as solid oiled plank flooring, lino and
tiled flooring and work surfaces of solid
laminated wood. Techniques adaptable for
recycling have been applied; such as the
wooden construction can be disassembled.
Some of the facing bricks have been recycled
from elsewhere. The water supply pipes are
of PP-plastic and the insulation material is
loose wool. Urine separating toilets have
been installed, and facilities for sorting
refuse at source are provided on site. The flats
are adapted for persons allergic to nickel and
over-sensitive to electricity. In order to reduce
electromagnetic fields, five conductor cable
systems have been installed. To reduce the use
of energy, low-energy light bulbs, a low-
energy lift and lighting automatically steered
by the presence of persons have been installed.
The balconies have glassed floors providing
extra light. The ventilation system is of self-
ventilating type reinforced by fans. Sprinkler
systems are installed in the flats and on the
stairways. In the common laundry rooms
there are environmentally certified washing
machines with self-portioning detergent hold-
ers. Before moving in the tenants were given
an introduction where the objectives of the
eco-building were explained and maintenance
instructions provided.
The residents have good contacts with each
other, and the building offers several places
for meeting, such as the greenhouse and refuse
sorting room. The materials are of high quality,
not only in the flats but also in the common
spaces, and are treated with respect and care
by the residents. Damage to the shared places
is small.
The date of the housing fair steered the
completion of the building. A new concept
was tested under hart pressure regarding both
design and construction, at the same time as
building in a conservation area has steered the
design of the building (choice of materials, lay-
 District central heating:
kWh/ m2 applies to
temperature adjusted
utilisation of heating for
central heating and hot
water supply.
Electricity for the
building: kWh/m2
applies to consumption
of electricity exclusive Water: m3/m2 applies to
electricity in the flats. consumption of water.

Fastighetsel kWh/m
k h/m
kW
Electricity kWh/m 22
Water supply
Heating
Värme kWh/m (kall)mm/m
3 2
kWh/m22 Vatten 3/m2

180 25 3,00
160
156 162 156 154 20 21,4
2,50
140 2,47
20
120
15
19,8 19 2,00
2,36 2,37
• 50 m2 façade-integrated
100
80
10
1,50 1,62 solar collectors.
60
40 5
1,00
• 3 urine tanks of 6 000 l.
0,50
20
0 0 0,00
1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002

out). In addition, there were few good examples

to use as a point of departure. The short period
for implementation meant a limited element of
research and development. The building has
not been subject to evaluation, despite having
been built as a demonstration project. However,
the block has functioned as an important sym-
bol for the environmental work of the manage-
ment authority/landlord, Bostadsbolaget.
The vertical solar collectors in the project
have primarily an educational function. The
proposed position for these collectors was on
the roof, but for heritage reasons they ended
up on the SW gable façade, which is not an ad-
vantageous position for solar collectors. These
solar collectors do not provide the best returns
regarding energy but they are attractively de-
signed. The greenhouse is small, but after this
roughly six-year period one can maintain that
it is used by the tenants and is sufficient to
satisfy needs, because not everybody wants to
grow things. The urine separation toilets func-
tion well in principle. The farmer that there
was an agreement with terminated the arrange-
ment with the landlord in 2002. Therefore at
present the urine is released into the city sew-
age network.
The investment in the environment is pri-
marily due to choice of quality materials, recy-
cled materials, constructions able to be disas-
sembled and aesthetic values. The building is
well-kept and utilised with thought and care.
A low turnover of tenants is proof that the
residents are happy.
 Lindås - housing without conventional
heating systems
Project----------------------------------------
New construction of 20 terrace/row
houses in four blocks for a tenants’
housing association
Address--------------------------------------
Hedens Äng, Lindås/ Billdal
Completed-----------------------------------
2001 (Process time 4 years)
Area--------------------------------------------
Gross area: 3 300 m2
Usable area: 2 424 m2
~123 m2/dwelling unit
Developer------------------------------------
Egnahemsbolaget
Management--------------------------------
Egnahemsbolaget, Housing
association
Architects------------------------------------
EFEM arkitektkontor
Initiator, research & project leader--
Hans Eek, Göteborg Energi/ EFEM
Contract--------------------------------------
Modified turn-key contracting
Finance---------------------------------------
Production costs ~8 300 SEK/m2
Contacts-------------------------------------
Egnahemsbolaget: 031-707 70 00,
hans.eek@goteborgenergi.se
Hemsida--------------------------------------
http://www.egnahem-goteborg.se
http://www.formas.se/
16
The Lindås housing is situated twenty kilo-
metres south of Göteborg on a meadow ad-
joining a small tree-clad hill. These houses
are often referred to as ‘houses without heat-
ing systems’, and they are currently the most
energy saving houses in Sweden.
The houses at Lindås are focused on mak-
ing effective use of energy and reducing the
greenhouse effect. The concept is founded
on airtight and well-insulated houses with
extremely good windows and good indoor
climate. The point is to utilise the best pos-
sible techniques combined in a new way.
These houses have been built for ‘ordinary’
people. A special ‘eco-lifestyle’ or a specific
technical interest should not be needed in
order to live in these houses.
The houses have no conventional heating
systems. Heating up takes place with the
aid of body heat and heat from solar ra-
diation, lighting, household appliances and
other apparatus.
The houses are oriented towards the
south, being placed on the site so as not to
cast shadows on each other. The balconies
and roof overhang on the south-facing
facades function as sunshades. A windbreak
facing north functions as a climatic buffer
zone. The elimination of cold bridges, highly
energy efficient windows and well-insulated
windows results in generally very low u-values.
The tight climatic shell minimises losses
through heat transmission. The air tightening is
achieved with the aid of polyethylene plastic
foil. An effective air heat exchanger transfers
up to 85% of the heat in extracted air to in-
coming air. A heating battery of 900 W can be
used for further heating up of the air during
chilly periods. A solar collector on the roof
contributes to the heating up of hot water for
the taps. An electric cartridge complements
the system, and heats up the water during cold
days. Each house has received a ‘house-man-
ual’, a file for the residents with information
about the houses’ technical systems and main-
tenance instructions.
Not only has the architectural and tech-
nical design been an important component of
this project, but also the actual process leading
up to it. The turn-key contractor acquired a
team of consultants and researchers that had
worked intimately together for several years.
All the actors involved including the building
workers were well informed about the objec-
tives of the project and aware of their common
responsibility.
Illustration: Hans Grönlund, EFEM
 Purchased electricity kWh/year and flat

8000
8000
5400
~65 kWh/m2 year
6000
6500
1000 ~54 kWh/m2 year
4000
1500 ~45 kWh/m2 year
Right from the start the technical evalua- 2000
2900
appliances
hot water

tion has been a part of the project. Other 0

middle flat gable flat
household electricity

aspects, such as the feelings and experiences of calculated measured year 2002

the users, have been recorded later through

questionnaires and interviews. These houses
have now been in use for more than two years • 5 m2 roof-integrated solar collector/flat for hot
water supply. Grade of coverage: up to 50%.
and the preliminary evaluation findings are • Accumulator tank 500 l.
accessible. Energy utilisation differs somewhat
between the end and middle houses. The in-
door temperature lies between 20°C and 23°C. The houses are a product of a further de-
velopment of a concept that the initiator and
The houses ‘without heating systems’ func- architect, Hans Eek, had been working on
tion. The evaluation reveals that the need for since the 1970s. This project demonstrates
bought-in electric energy has been somewhat that it is possible to build energy saving build-
greater than planned, but nevertheless very low ings with current knowledge and the best
compared with comparable ordinary houses. available techniques, at the same time as the
Among other reasons, the greater use of energy residents being provided with a house not
depends on higher room temperature, the in- merely to live in but to thrive in.
stallation of less energy effective sanitation
equipment and more appliances than those
planned for (TV, computers, bathtubs, addi-
tional heating elements).
The initiator and the network that had
been put together for the project have influ-
enced the advent of this terraced housing
throughout the entire process. The learning
element was planned from the onset. What
contributed to the project being so successful
was that all the actors from consultants to
building workers had received training, and
that everyone was aware of the goals. The resi-
dents on the other hand have not influenced
the design of the houses.
Mostly the residents have chosen their
dwelling due to the fine location of the houses,
the attractive architecture and the plan layouts.
The residents are mostly happy with their liv-
ing conditions, the indoor climate is regarded
as being good and the uneven temperatures
are accepted. These houses are not much more
expensive than more conventional terrace or
row houses. The additional cost was financed
by the lack of a heating system.

Illustration: Stefan Wallner
Project----------------------------------------
Eco-village being established. At pre-
sent: 1 existing house, 1 completed
house with four flats and 3 newly-
constructed single-family houses.
Address--------------------------------------
Rydebacke by, Marks kommun
Completed-----------------------------------
First newly-constructed house com-
pleted 1997. House construction in
progress. Process time – detail
development plan 5 years.
Area--------------------------------------------
Plot sizes from 932 m2 to 1 613 m2
Developer------------------------------------
User/residents
Initiators--------------------------------------
Stefan and Gunilla Wallner
Architects------------------------------------
Villa Veabacken, Villa Byford:
Stefan Wallner/Archifact
Villa Ecce Logi: Users & Bengt Bilén
Multi-family house Niklason: Mika
Määttä, Martin Forsby/Studio grön
Villa Frej: Mika Määttä
Contract--------------------------------------
Do-it-yourself and local building firms
Finance---------------------------------------
Detail development plan 40 000 SEK.
Single-family houses from 600 000 SEK
upwards plus plot cost 170 000 SEK
Contacts--------------------------------------
Stefan Wallner, Archifact AB:
031-80 29 07, archifact@boguiden.se
Homepage-----------------------------------
http://www.rydebacke.nu
18
Rydebacke village
Forty kilometres SE of Göteborg lies the
eco-village of Rydebacke. The village is situ-
ated on a wooded hill surrounded by small
woodland lakes and close to the ecological
farm of Gunnagård.
This project is searching for knowledge and
understanding about both ecological and
social contexts. The village is intended to
provide the opportunity to realise the vision
of communal living, closed eco-cycles being
a cornerstone in this project. The ambition
is that the village shall as far as possible be
planned, built and administered by the vil-
lagers themselves.
The project encompasses both detail plan-
ning and building construction tasks. The
village members have formulated the detail
development plan as a common task. All
decisions in the village are taken by consen-
sus.
Common for all the houses is the appli-
cation of techniques and systems according
to the eco-cycle principle and with materials
that are sound for both people and nature.
The detail development plan for the village
stipulates, for example, three possible sys-
tems for the purification of household sew-
age: simple infiltration, greenhouse purifica-
tion and artificial wetlands. In the area today
there is simple infiltration and greenhouse
purification.
There are no special demands as far as
what materials may be used. Those houses
already built are of wood and cellulose fibre
insulation and clay and straw. Wood is the
dominating material and it partly comes from
the locality itself. Some housing components
are of recycled materials, among other things
windows or stone remnants.
All the houses in the area separate toilet
waste. Urine is collected in communal tanks
and is used as fertiliser. Faeces are gathered up
by each house owner for composting, by dry
handling in the single-family houses, and in the
flats through flushing and sorting to minimise
the risk for smell. Here the faeces are collected
in a slam separator. The water separated is fil-
tered and the slam is composted. A well in
neighbouring agricultural land supplies the
area with fresh water.
The placing and planning of the houses is
carried out with regard to light and passive
solar heating, and low-energy equipment is
recommended. For heating bio-fuel and solar
heating is used. Heating systems used are
various kinds of wood-fired stoves and a pellet-
fired stove for the flats. Three of the houses
have installed solar collectors, which have
been manufactured nearby, and all the houses
have accumulator tanks.
Some villagers grow things, while others do
not. Do-it-yourself building and experimenta-
tion are encouraged, but are not any kind of
demand. Members of the village have estab-
lished contacts with local handymen. In the
detail development plan common land has
been reserved for premises (offices, workshops,
trading). Future projects are a village hall,
workshops, and common buildings for recy-
cling materials and sorting refuse at source.
 4x Villa Veabacken

Villa Byford
This project demonstrates the desire to experi-
ment at the same time as the village is allowed • Consumption of wood-
logs, Villa Veabacken
to develop slowly. As the houses are to be built area 112 m2: 8-10 m3
over a long period of time, one has chosen not logs/year
to employ major initial solutions, such as a
• Solar collectors:
communal heating unit or local sewage facility. Veabacken: 7,2 m2
Cooperation with the local authority has Ecce Logi: 10,8 m2
Villa Frej: 7,2 m2
functioned well regarding the detail develop-
ment planning process. The lesson from this • Urine tank for the area:
2 of 10 000 litres
task was that a too strict control of system (total 20 m3)
choice should be avoided where developments
are slow, because one cannot know what the
future may be able to offer, for example, im- Villa Ecce Logi

proved environmentally adapted systems. On

the other hand, for instance, one can place de-
mands on an environmental impact assessment,
an account of how one can solve the sorting of
refuse at source or that materials and systems
are chosen.
User participation functioned well during
the detail development-planning task, and was
considered to be a flexible means of planning.
To develop the detail plan together resulted in
quick decisions and little risk for objections as
everyone was in agreement. The technical sys- Multi-family house Niklason
tems that are installed in the houses function
largely without problem.
This project differs from other eco-villages in
Sweden as each person here plans and builds
his/her own house. Rydebacke village is an
area where they have come a long way with
All photos: Stefan Wallner

eco-cycle adaptation from a holistic perspec-

tive.

19

Project----------------------------------------
New construction of meeting house
including room for functions.
Address--------------------------------------
Merkuriusgatan 2, Bergsjön
Completed-----------------------------------
1994 (Process time 2 yearrs)
Area-------------------------------------------
Premises area /Usable area: 264 m2
Developer------------------------------------
City of Göteborg/LFF
Management--------------------------------
Lokalförsörjningsförvaltning Norr
Tenants---------------------------------------
District Administration for Bergsjön
and Assyrian Association in Bergsjön
Architects------------------------------------
Pyramiden Arkitekter AB
Initiators--------------------------------------
District Administration for Bergsjön
Contract--------------------------------------
General contracting
Contacts-------------------------------------
Assyriska Föreningen: 031-48 08 16
or LFF: 031-365 00 00
Homepage-----------------------------------
http://www.bergsjon.goteborg.se/
20
Bågskytten
The building known as Bågskytten is an as-
sociation-run meeting hall, which is jointly
run by the District Administration for Berg-
sjön in Göteborg and the Assyrian Associa-
tion in Bergsjön. This project was included
in the project ‘Bergsjön – ecological suburb’.
The vision was to build a meeting hall that
would create social contacts for the residents
of Bergsjön and become a meeting place for
ethnic associations in the district. Via the
building process, the vision was also to carry
out internal training for local authority staff,
to construct and administer an ecological
building and provide the opportunity to
promote ecological knowledge through
courses and study circles. Eco-cycle concepts,
resource management, minimisation of eco-
logically harmful emissions and the installa-
tion of easily maintained technical solutions
were the ambitions set up for the building.
The project was planned in cooperation
with LFF-North, the District Administra-
tion and the Assyrian Association, of which
the District Administration Committee placed
the ecological demands.
Bågskytten is a direction-oriented building
with greenhouse and windbreak facing south,
and is built on an existing foundation (from
a building destroyed by fire). The building is
insulated with Swedish wood fibre and sundried
peat. A water-jacketed log-stove in the kitchen
with baking oven and solar collector on the
roof provides extra energy via an accumulator
tank for hot water supply and heating. The
oven was used initially to bake bread, but today
it is primarily used for heating. Energy efficient
sanitation ware and low-energy lighting have
been installed.
The ventilation is based on natural ventila-
tion, where the incoming air is drawn in
through ducts in the ground and pre-heated
(when required with a pre-heating battery)
before passing up into the building. With this
basic ventilation the air leaves the building
though the kitchen and toilets. During the
summer temperature differences are created
with the aid of roof lanterns, the windows of
which can be opened for forcing ventilation,
• 12 m2 solar collectors
on the roof for hot water
supply.
• year 2002:
- heating energy
purchased: 79 kWh/m2
- water use: 0,48 m3/m2
and that are able to stabilise the pressure during
gusts of wind. These lanterns were also an
experiment. Water utilisation is kept low with
the aid of water-saving appliances and water-
saving toilets and urine-separation toilets.
The building is constructed of well-tried
materials such as bricks and wood. Regarding
the interior, there is beech parquet and lino-
leum flooring. Painted surfaces have treated
with linseed oil based pigments. The outdoor
environment is enhanced by kitchen gardens
and flowerbeds. Compost is used in connection
with this cultivation. A storage building con-
tains wood logs and containers for refuse sort-
ing at source.
As part of the educational training concept
two staff are included for running this faci-
lity.
This building was Sweden’s first ecological
meeting hall run by an association when con-
structed. Learning about ecological concepts
and illustrating the eco-cycle were important –
even the flour for the bread was ground on-
site.
The separation toilets fulfil an educational
function: they are connected to the local au-
thority sewage network. However, they are
prepared and equipped for being connected to
a larger system. The greenhouse is utilised in-
tensively; the gardens are well kept and help to
lift up the district. The roof lanterns function
well in principle, but they are over-used. The
building’s insulation has not been as compre-
hensive as desired.
When this building was new, visitors SECTION
streamed in from all over the place. This stream
of visitors has now thinned out, and this edu-
cational project has lost momentum due to a
cooling off of interest in environmental matters
in Göteborg, and a lack of continuous activities
of interest for visitors. Even com-petition from
more recent eco-projects has contributed to
this reduced interest. This pro-ject also
demonstrates that knowledge and vi-sions are
attached to individual persons, which may turn
out to be a problem when these per-sons leave
the activity in question. Bågskytten is primarily
used today for functions such as parties,
conferences and meetings.
Bågskytten has been a rewarding project for
the District Administrations of Göteborg and
LFF, and it was a highlight and pillar of publicity
when newly built. The study circles have paved
the foundation for other environmental pro-
jects.
PLAN
21

Project----------------------------------------
New construction of a national
science centre
Address--------------------------------------
Södra vägen 50, Korsvägen
Completed-----------------------------------
2001 (Process time 6 years)
Area--------------------------------------------
Usable area: 10 700 m2
Developer/Management-----------------
Universeum AB
Architects------------------------------------
Wingårdh Arkitektkontor AB
Environmental Consultants-----------
FB Engineering AB
Creators/Initiators------------------------
Jan Westin, Stephan Mangold
Contract--------------------------------------
General contracting
Finance---------------------------------------
364 MSEK (investment costs in
the building, equipment, product
development and start-up costs)
Contacts-------------------------------------
Universeum AB: 031-335 64 50
Homepage-----------------------------------
http://www.universeum.se/
22
Universeum
The Universeum project is part of a national
effort to make younger people more inter-
ested in the natural sciences and technology.
One half of the building is devoted to na-
ture’s water cycle, while the other half con-
tains a science-centre type experimental ex-
hibition. The building is situated adjoining
the Liseberg amusement park and on the
street where many major events in Göteborg
take place (the so-called ‘Events’ Strip’).
Universeum has an educational purpose.
The connection between the building and
its surrounding environment is to be dem-
onstrated, at the same time as the content of
the building shall show how people, nature,
society and technology are interconnected.
One goal was to create a model for ecological
building. Building materials, for instance,
should be chosen partly with a view to fu-
ture recycling, and partly in order to increase
the ecological awareness of the visitor.
An architectural competition by invitation
(after pre-qualification) with international
participants, and with an explicit environ-
mental brief initiated the architectural task
in the project. Within the building there are
many different systems for heating, hot wa-
ter production and sewage. Here there are
twenty different systems for heating (water,
ventilation, sanitation), seven different sys-
tems for sewage, separate systems for urine,
Photo: Bengt Wallin
faeces and other waste water from bathrooms,
as well as systems for drainage water and
kitchen sewage, all in one and the same project
– which is unusual.
Universeum’s most energy demanding ac-
tivity is water transportation in the aquarium
section. Heating energy, which is generated by
solar radiation, visitors and technical facilities,
is taken care of and utilised for heating the
building. Four geothermal heat pumps are re-
sponsible for heating and cooling the building,
surplus heat is stored and retrieved from the
rock foundation via a rock-heat collector.
When there is insufficient heating, heat from
the city central heating system is added. On the
secondary roof solar collection panels have
been placed, and solar cells have been installed
on the pronounced saw-tooth roof. There are
two systems for forced natural ventilation con-
trolled according to demand. In the public
spaces the lighting is controlled according to
daylight and the presence of persons.
The toilets are urine separated. The urine is
collected in tanks and an agreement about its
collection is under discussion. Bathroom se-
wage water and faeces are fed into the local au-
thority network of sewers. Some of the sewage,
however, is treated in a mini-waterworks for
biological purification where nutritive salts are
extracted from the water. Rainwater from the
roof of the building is collected in a pond out-
side the building.
 Clearly visible in the construction of the
building is a large amount of wood – a renew-
able building material. Apart from this, there is
recycled steel in the reinforcement and 100% re-
cycled aluminium in the glazed portions. Rock
blasted from the site has been utilised for facing
material in the form of stone gabions i.e. stone
in steel-wire baskets.
The detail design of the energy systems was
not carried out to fulfil any specific goal values,
but rather from a general effort to economise
with energy. A reference group for environ-
mental issues supported the entire detail design
process.

The explicit environment brief for the com-

petition places ‘the environmental concept’ in
focus, and shaped the project to a large degree
- both the building and the process. An inter-
esting element in the process was a meeting led
by the reference team to re-unite all the actors,
and where experiences were gathered and other
thoughts around the project were discussed.
Universeum is an energy demanding build-
ing with extreme indoor climates (mountain,
rainforest) and demands for high effectiveness
regarding purification and the circulation of
water. Above all Universeum is of major sym-

Photo: Bengt Wallin

bolic value. The building is part of a symbolic
symbiosis with the adjacent rocky hill. The
prominent saw-tooth roof with space for solar
cells is aimed to demonstrate that here one
shall be able to catch some of the energy re-
quired in the building. The large proportion of
Purchased electricity MWh/year
timber is aimed to show that wood as an easily 5000
Because of initial
replenished building material can even be used 4000
proplems there are
in large construction projects of advanced de- no reliable values
3580 accessible for city
3000 3368
sign and large spans. The educational value is central (coloured
2455 stacks).
in the demonstration of these various systems. 2000

The design process, from putting the project 1000

together via the architectural competition to 0

250

calculated 2002 2003 calculated 2004

the detail design, has been evaluated, but not
the actual building and its systems. It may be of
interest to evaluate from the environmental
perspective and follow-up the building over a
longer period of time.
• Solar collectors: 18 m2 on the fan room roof.
• PV-cells: currently 100 m2 on the saw-tooth roof (of the approx. 1 200 m2 that the roof
surface can accommodate).
• Rock-heat collector with 21 bore holes of 160 m depth.
• Annual number of visitors 2002 and 2003: 500 000.

23
Refur
bishment

Project----------------------------------------
Refurbishment of apartment block
containing 24 rented flats
Address--------------------------------------
Rundradiogatan 12, Västra Frölunda
Completed-----------------------------------
1986, building originally constructed
1952 (Process time 5 years)
Area--------------------------------------------
Living area: 1 445 m2
Usable area: 1 589 m2
Greenhouse area of building: 102 m2
Developer------------------------------------
Bostads AB Poseidon (at the time of
the project Bostadsbolaget
Göteborgshem)
Management--------------------------------
Bostads AB Poseidon, Göteborg
Architects/ Initiators---------------------
CNA - Christer Nordström
Arkitektkontor AB
Contract--------------------------------------
Turn-key contracting
Finance---------------------------------------
575 000 SEK (additional cost: solar
energy system cost level for 1989)
Contacts-------------------------------------
Poseidon: 031-332 10 00
CNA: 031-28 28 64, cna@cna.se
Homepage--------------------------------
http://www.cna.se
26
Järnbrott
In connection with the refurbishment of a
three-storey apartment block dating from
the 1950s came the advent of the ‘sun-house’
at Järnbrott. This refurbishment was carried
out as a demonstration project.
This refurbishment had technical, social and
educational objectives. From the technical
point of view one could demonstrate how a
solar air heating system can be built into an
existing building, reducing the need for pur-
chasing heating energy. In social terms, a
common room in the form of a greenhouse
would generate an interest in cultivation,
which could lead to a sense of community,
security and well-being. Educationally, the
greenhouse could be an instrument to com-
municate knowledge to the tenants about
solar energy.
The block was in need of refurbishment.
This renewal included additional insulation
and change of roofing materials, new win-
dows, changing out the balconies, new en-
trance roofs, new interiors in the common
laundry room, kitchens and bathrooms, re-
newed surfaces in the flats and on the stair-
cases, new piping, the installation of a suc-
tion refuse facility, a solar collection system
and a greenhouse.
The additional insulation was carried out
as a double shell: the outer wall was placed
apart from the existing wall i.e. the original
façade is retained behind the additional in-
sulation. The southward facing side of the
roof has been equipped with an on-site
built roof integrated air-solar collector,
which is comprised of black trapeze-formed
corrugated metal sheeting covered with a
polycarbonate layer. The air is heated in the
solar collector and is circulated with aid of
small fans through the air-gap around the
building (between the old and new facades).
The heat is stored in the original exterior walls
of lightweight concrete, providing warmth for
the rooms inside. During the summer months,
when the solar heating system is not needed for
warming up the flats, the warm air is used for
pre-heating hot water in an accumulator tank,
which supplies four buildings in the block.
The building has been evaluated technically
and from a broader social perspective a few
years after refurbishment. Since this evaluation
period no other individual evaluations for this
building have been carried out.
The greenhouse with allotments along the
south-facing frontage of the building has a
covering layer of polycarbonate. In addition to
the greenhouse allotment space, each flat has a
10 sq.m outdoor allotment.
Many tenants remained after refurbishment,
and the residents developed new interests de-
pendent on the refurbishment.
Ideas and concepts about technical construc-
tions and social organisation have been given a
physical form in this refurbishment. The system
functions after 10 years of operation (evaluation
after 10 years) and the building still functions
today without any major problems. However,
the time has come to change out the poly-
carbonate panels in the greenhouse. The pro-
ject has achieved its goals both with regard to
function and energy saving.
 Illustration: Christer Nordström Arkitektkontor AB

Cultivation is in progress, both inside the

greenhouse and outdoors. At an estimate,
roughly half of the households are involved
This experiment has turned out well due to
there being favourable financial opportunities
for energy experimentation, and as resident
fellowship was an issue in focus at this time.
The project was dependent on two persons
who were involved in the entire process from
idea to completed result, and where the archi-
tect had comprehensive responsibility. It was
also of impotance that some tenants took on
the responsibility for the further development
of the greenhouse process.
The management consider that the experi-
ment was technically and socially successful, but
not motivated in economic terms. However, it
could be interesting to carry out a life-cycle
cost calculation.

• Air-solar collector: 347 m2 on-site built & roof integrated.

• Accumulator tank: 12 m3.

1990:
Heating energy purchased for radiators in the ‘sun-house’: 66 kWh/m2 year, ), in a reference
building without solar heating system: 110 kWh/m2 year (normal year corrected values). Approx.
42% of the saving is directly related to the air-solar collector. Energy utilisation for hot water in each
respective building: 43 kWh/m2 year. Of which addition from solar collector: 12%.

2001:
Heating energy purchased (radiators and hot water) for four buildings, including the ‘sun-house’:
155 kWh/m2 year.

27

Project----------------------------------------
Refurbishment of 18 flats in
apartment block with rented
accommodation
Address--------------------------------------
Inägogatan 25, Hisingen, Göteborg
Completed----------------------------------
1997 (Process time 2 years), building
originally constructed 1954
Area-------------------------------------------
Living area: 984 m2
Developer/Management----------------
Bostads AB Poseidon
Architects-----------------------------------
Creacon konsulter
Initiators-------------------------------------
Bostads AB Poseidon & the then
existing Environmental Secretariat in
Göteborg
Environmental consultants-----------
KM Miljöteknik, Scandiakonsult
Contract--------------------------------------
Turn-key contracting
Contacts-------------------------------------
Poseidon: 031-332 10 00
28
Kyrkbyn
The building at Kyrkbyn was constructed as
an experimental building as early as the
1950s, becoming after the current refurbish-
ment once again an experimental building.
Among other things, the original innova-
tions comprised of water-borne floor heat-
ing, where the floor piping was drawn up as
radiators under the windows and towel rails
in the bathrooms.
The ambition at Kyrkbyn was an eco-cycle
adaptation of the water and sewage systems,
reduction in the use of energy and choice of
environmentally sound building materials,
particularly insulation materials.
The major changes in the building are new
water and sewage systems with urine sepa-
rated toilets. In addition, four different in-
sulation materials were tested on each side
of the building: lime-foam, glass wool, cork
and sheep’s wool. The outer surface consists
of pigmented lime-cement plaster. Measures
to reduce nickel allergies resulting from the
building have been undertaken, and the
electric systems have been renewed. Sorting
of refuse at source has been introduced, and
a refuse suction system for materials able to
be composted, alternatively incinerated, has
been installed. The sorting of heavy refuse is
carried out at nearby environmental stations,
of which one is built of recycled bricks. In
the flats, the solid parquet flooring, interior
doors, wardrobes and the appreciated cloth
shelves have been renovated. Cadmium free
tiling has been laid in the bathrooms. Within
the building, the original stair-railing and
stair rails have been retained. Windows, ovens,
toilets and other old fittings have been dis-
mantled, restored and sent to Bosnia. Sheep’s
wool for insulation material came from Ger-
many. On the roof recycled clay tiling has been
laid. PVC piping has been replaced by pipes of
stainless steel or cast-iron. Triple-glazed win-
dows have been installed in the window frames
of linseed oil treated wood.
The flats have been equipped with urine-
separated toilets of two different types. The
urine is separated and fed into concrete tanks
and stored in the building prior to being
transported elsewhere. Faeces and bathroom
sewage are fed into the local authority sewage
network. To date the urine has been spread
out on arable land, but at present the farmer
intends to terminate the agreement.
Many of the tenants returned after refur-
bishment. On moving back the tenants received
a maintenance and information manual as well
as oral information from the landlord. Prior
to this, the management company, Poseidon,
held an information meeting as well as having
had a demonstration flat.
Almost all the residents feel positive about the
new water and sewage systems with the urine-
separated toilets. These have contributed to
greater awareness and enhanced environmental
behaviour even in other contexts. In principle,
the system functions but the quality assurance
of the product is an important component to
develop. An example of this is that the farmer
gave the reason for terminating the agreement
that the urine was too watery, thereby having a
too low nutritive content.
 It required a strong driving force to achieve
this development attempt. The refurbishment
process was characterised by a tight time
schedule, and late integration regarding eco-
cycle issues. The idea of installing new water
and sewage systems was raised during the on-
going renewal of the district. The contractors
were already decided on when eco-cycle con-
cepts were added, and the date for reinstating
the tenants could not be changed. This meant
that the project was initiated without any
evaluation programme for the urine-separated
toilets and the four different insulation mate-
rials. No time was reserved for gathering in
knowledge, the design of systems, or the sys-
tematic feedback of experience during the pro-
cess, or internal evaluation plan for the systems
in operation.
In spite of varied experiences of urine
separation, one succeeded in creating a system
that functioned in principle from toilet to the
farm (until 2002).

Purchased central heating

(corrected values for normal
year) for heating and hot
water taps - preparation for 2
buildings: Inägogatan 23 and
25.

Heating energy kWh/m2 year

200

150 173
165

100

50

0
2001 2003

• Water consumption for

two buildings 2003: 1,64
m3/m2.

• Urine tanks: 3 concrete

tanks each of 4,4 m3.

• Toilet stools: 12 DS
(WM-Ekologen) and
6 st Dubletten (B&B
Innovation).

29

Project----------------------------------------
Refurbishment of 3 groups of blocks
comprised of 255 rented flats in 10
apartment block buildings
Address--------------------------------------
Peppargatan och Kanelgatan,
Gårdsten, Angereds kommun
Completed-----------------------------------
2000 (Process time 5 years), build-
ings originally constructed 1969-72
Area--------------------------------------------
Gross area: 26 430 m2, Housing area:
18 720 m2, Greenhouse: 533 m2
Developer/Management-----------------
Bostads AB Gårdsten
Architects------------------------------------
CNA - Christer Nordström
Arkitektkontor AB
Gårdsten
This project involves the refurbishment of a
residential district from the 1970s, Västra
Gårdsten in Göteborg, which was in need of
renewal, both from the technical and social
perspectives. The buildings consist of five-
storey blocks with access decks and three
storey blocks placed at right angles forming
large enclosed courtyard-like spaces on a site
that was blasted flat prior to construction.
The district lies close to extensive areas of
largely untouched nature.
The aim of this renewal project was to im-
prove the district and the situation of its
residents, and to demonstrate how new so-
lutions for energy saving and sources of en-
ergy easily replenished can be integrated in
buildings. The ambition was that the resi-
dents should both want to remain, and have
the possibility of being able to do so. The
desire on the part of the landlord was to
apply well-reasoned traditional measures in
combination with new technology. The ten-
ants for their part wanted better security in
the district and refurbishment of their flats.
The buildings were redesigned as ‘solar-
houses’. This concept is based on the building
taking account of the forces of nature, sun and
air, thereby enriching the quality of life for the
residents. The residents’ wishes, the obvious
need for buildings’ maintenance and the archi-
tect’s ideas were the points of departure. The
process was initiated by a survey of the resi-
dents’ needs and an investigation study in or-
der to be able to propose relevant energy meas-
ures and estimate possible savings. Most meas-
ures were then implemented in connection
with maintenance activities.
The ventilation systems were changed. In
the three-storey blocks heat recovery from the
extracted air was installed. The ventilation sys-
tem in the access deck blocks has been rebuilt to
an extracted air system, where the greater part
of the fresh air is taken in via the newly glazed
balconies on the southward facing frontages.
In addition, the glazed balconies function both
as solar collectors and as dynamic insulation.
The access deck blocks have been equipped
with roof integrated water-sun collectors for
the pre-heating of the water for the hot taps.
One of the three-storey blocks has been fitted
with a air-solar collector, an air heating system
with double-shell walls.

Concept/EU-project----------------------
CNA - Christer Nordström
Arkitektkontor AB, CIT-Chalmers,
Bostads AB Gårdsten

Contract--------------------------------------
Turn-key contracting

Finance---------------------------------------
Illustration: Christer Nordström Arkitektkontor AB
Approx. 107 MSEK (incl. VAT and
developer costs, of which costs for
energy related matters ~20MSEK)

Contacts-------------------------------------
Bostads AB Gårdsten: 031-332 60 00,
CNA: 031-28 28 64, cna@cna.se

Homepage-----------------------------------
http://www.gardstensprojektet.
goteborg.se
http://www.cna.se

30
 All the roofs and foundations have been in-
sulated and the gables on the access deck blocks
have been provided with additional insulation.
In a number of the existing double-glazed win-
dows the inner pane has been exchanged for a
low-energy counterpart, and in other cases the
windows have been replaced by low-energy
windows. Electrical equipment has been im-
proved, in among other ways by new energy
certified kitchen appliances, new laundry-room
equipment, lighting remote-controlled by the
presence of persons in the common areas and
low-energy light-bulbs. In order to be able to
influence rent levels and increase environmental
awareness, individual meters for heating, hot
water, cold water and electricity have been
installed, each flat being debited accordingly.
In a central monitoring system, heating supply
per block unit is measured monthly.
A greenhouse used for cultivation consti-
tutes the common space in each unit block.
This is placed adjoining the laundry room,
which was relocated from the basement to the
ground floor in line with the wishes of the resi-
dents. New entrances in the three-storey blocks,
code-locks and security doors provide increased
security, and the new colour scheme of the
courtyards is appreciated. Architecturally, the
refurbishment clearly demonstrates both his-
tory and today, the new having been added to
the old.
Consultants with experience from local
projects have been engaged, and an international
exchange has taken place through having par-
ticipated in a EU-project. Participation on the
part of the residents has been an important in-
gredient, even if the architect proposed the
solar-house concept. Many demands placed by
the residents were also included in the solar-
Heating (incl. hot water)
and use of electricity kWh/m2 year
300
250 270
heat
200
150 170
heat
100
50 52 50
el el
0
before 2001/2002
house concept and were able to be implemented
without any major changes. As a show-flat had
been fitted out, the residents’ participation, for
instance, involved tenants’ meetings being held,
working parties being formed and the chance
to inspect the flats with personal consultation.
The residents gained most influence with re-
gard to the placing of the laundry room, colour
schemes, outdoor environment and an initial
sorting of refuse at source.
This refurbishment has given the area a total
face-lift and has provided synergy effects in the
form of improved image and positive effects
for the entire district. Social renewal and an
energy-technology/physical renewal go hand-
in-hand. Both the elements of research and
resident participation have been positive. The
residents consider they have had good oppor-
tunities to influence, which has contributing to
making the tenants contented. The research
and evaluation of the measures provide knowl-
edge for a platform for continued develop-
ment.
The technical refurbishment is based on a
holistic perspective and the objectives/demands Photo: Christer Nordström Arkitektkontor AB
were formulated from the prerequisites of the
area. Maintenance activities have been linked
together with improvement measures. The set
objectives have been achieved. For a reasonable
economic investment it was important to have
well-motivated measures that had a determined
function and usefulness. The costs of the re-
furbishment works ended up close to those
estimated, and due to a careful renewal process
rents have been able to be kept down.
The cooperation between the client, con- • Solar collector area: 785 m2, of
tractor and architect has functioned well. Thor- which 80 m2 air-solar collector.
ough pre-detail design work with all the con- 20 m3 accumulator tank.
• Electricity consumption (incl. flats’
sultants and various experts involved have re-
electricity) the same in spite of
sulted in few mistakes being made. increased letting.
• Water consumption 2001/02:
1 670 liter/m2 year (2360 liter/m2
year before refurbishment). The
total consumption of water is lower
than before refurbishment in spite of
increased letting.
• Saving in running costs:
-58 SEK/year m2
31
 LFF’s office –
from grain store to office building
Project----------------------------------------
Refurbishment of a former grain store
as an office building.
Address--------------------------------------
Karduansmakaregatan 23, Fjällbo
Completed-----------------------------------
1996, building originally erected
during the 1800s
Area--------------------------------------------
Usable area: 350 m2
Developer/Management-----------------
LFF Fastigetsavdelning Norr
Architects------------------------------------
Creacon Forser Konsulter AB
Contract--------------------------------------
General contracting
Contacts-------------------------------------
LFF: 031-365 00 00
Homepage-----------------------------------
http://www.lff.goteborg.se/
32
The old grain storage building at Fjällbo
was built during the 19th Century. After
having been used as premises for therapeutic
treatment by a nursing home, the building
was transformed during autumn 1996 to the
head office for LFF (Lokalförsörjnings-
förvaltningen) – a local authority admini-
stration responsible for management of
schools and kindergarden premises.
Great emphasis has been placed on utilising
materials and techniques that create a good
indoor environment and facilitate recycling
and reutilisation. Focus was placed on choice
of materials, the careful treatment of surfaces
and the use of resource saving methods for
the renovation works. The ambition was
also to retain as much as possible of the
original building.
This building is thus an old structure with
renovated sections and recycled materials
that have been complemented with new in-
sulation. The plan layout has been changed
to accommodate offices, and an evacuation
staircase was added to the short façade.
For the refurbishment recycled timber
from selective demolition sites has been
used. The refurbishment works started off
with dismantling building components. All
the structural additions and facing surfaces
were removed in order to free the structural
beams. All the fittings, partition palls, inte-
rior panelling and exterior facade panelling
were dismantled. The existing mineral-wool
insulation was taken away. The outside
doors were removed and reutilised. For the
roof recycled tiling from an apartment block
in Kortedala was used. The greater propor-
tion of the recycled materials consisted of
timber originating from the selective demo-
lition of flooring at the snuff factory at
Gullbergsvass.
This timber has been used for various
joinery components; for a new floor and for
complementing the floor surface over the bot-
tom beams and other beams, interior cladding,
such as wall panelling, new windows, mouldings
and windowsill channels, as well as furnishings
like bookcases and workplace tables. A new
conference table was made from old flooring
planks. The interior walls are new. The external
walls are insulated with cellulose fibres.
For heating supply a geo-thermal heat
pump was installed. Urine separated toilets
were installed for educational purposes (con-
nected to the local authority sewage network),
but prepared for full-scale operation. During
2002, due to the problem of smell especially
during the winter (the water-lock failed to
function), these were exchanged for three ordi-
nary water-saving toilets. Energy consumption
and water utilisation are not measured sepa-
rately for this building.
The ventilation is based on a self-ventilating
system. The outside air flows in through vents
in the exterior walls via an air-intake controlled
according to outdoor temperature (where the
spacing gaps vary dependent on the outdoor
temperature). In the conference room there is
a fan for increased natural ventilation.
Photo: Nicolas Radi
 Painted surfaces have been treated with
traditional colours, mostly linseed oil based.
For the exterior, oil-based paints have been
used for facades and detailing. For the painting
of joinery and window linings oil paints have
also been used. On the inside surfaces have
been treated with beeswax varnish for the
wooden panelling, and oil varnishes for the
painting of the door frames, window sills and
panelling over pipes and wooden panels. The
wooden flooring has been treated with oil. Egg
tempera oil colours have been used for painting
the plaster boarding in the common spaces.
Interior joinery, such as windows, frames,
dressings, plinths and skirting have been
painted with oil paints. The conference table
has been treated with cold-pressed linseed oil.
In this project the recycling of materials has
come a long way. The fact that this was possible
to carry out in this project depended on a
number of favourable circumstances, such as
there being forceful personalities and a positive
attitude on the part of the management. How-
ever, the most important factor was the avail-
ability of large quantities of prime timber from
a demolition site, 2 000 sq.m of good quality.
A company dealing with second-hand building
materials, Återbruket, carried out an inventory
of these materials and informed LFF’s project
manager about the availability of such. The
building has gained an individual identity and
an inner harmony, which contributes to a good
workplace environment.
33

Project----------------------------------------
Refurbishment of hospital wards to
exhibition halls and offices
Adress----------------------------------------
Aschebergsgatan 44, Kapellplatsen
Completed-----------------------------------
2003 (Process time 5 years), building
originally erected1890
Area--------------------------------------------
Ca. 6 000 m2
Developer/Management-----------------
Chalmersfastigheter AB
Tenant/user---------------------------------
Ekocentrum
Architects------------------------------------
Liljewall Arkitekter AB
Environmental consultants------------
White Miljö
Initiators--------------------------------------
Ekocentrum
Contract--------------------------------------
General contracting
Building finance---------------------------
46 MSEK (of which certain parts, fan
room and mains/sub-stations, were
undertaken for the entire building)
Contacts-------------------------------------
Ekocentrum: 031-705 07 40
Homepage-----------------------------------
www.ekocentrum.nu
34
Vasa
Old hospital wards, centrally situated in
Göteborg, have been filled with Sweden’s
largest permanent environmental exhibition,
Ekocentrum, and a laboratory for IVL
(completed 2004). This project was carried
out in a heritage-listed area.
This refurbishment sets out to demonstrate
how it is possible to build environmentally
correct, with a sound choice of materials, a
well-reasoned construction process and tech-
nology that saves energy as well as providing
a good indoor climate. The building was in-
tended to be an object to visit in its own
right and to constitute a good example for
the construction sector.
With a profound environmental profile as a
point of departure, both for the building
and the activity, Ekocentrum and the land-
lord/developer, Chalmersfastigheter, have
jointly produced an environmental pro-
gramme for the project. In the refurbishment
there is a return to a plan layout with the
corridor along the frontage, creating light
and high volumes and revealing the old
walls, which gives a feeling of the original
materials. Energy, raw materials, water,
land, emissions, waste products and health
aspects are taken up. These health aspects
include air quality (cleaning, relative humid-
ity, radon, emissions from materials), ther-
mal climate, sound, light, lighting, electrical
environments and quality of tap water.
Those materials that have been selected are
based on natural products. For instance, lino-
leum flooring and linseed oil primed lime-
based paints (for internal plaster walling) were
chosen. The suspended ceiling has been fitted
with woodwool for sound absorption, which
also function as moisture regulators. Bricks
from demolished walls have been recycled and
radiators have been renovated. The water pipes
are of PP-plastic and the electricity cables are
free from halogen. The electricity cupboards
are insulated against electromagnetic fields. In
the offices and on staircases, detectors respond-
ing to the presence of persons remotely control
the lighting. The energy utilisation of city cen-
tral heating is measured, as is the consumption
of tap water. In addition, energy consumption
can be measured separately for each central
installation, apparatus cupboard, heating, ven-
tilation and sanitation facility and lift. A solar
collector over the entrance roof preheats the
hot water. Cooling takes place utilising the
night air. Rainwater is used for flushing the
urine-separated toilets as well as for the
watering of bushes. Surface drainage water is
taken care of through open gutters for roof
water and clear-water ponds. Water-saving in-
stallations and fittings and flow meters for
water reduce water usage. Before the refurbish-
ment for Ekocentrum was initiated the win-
dows were replaced and the frontages of the
building restored (2001). The windows have
an outside of aluminium and an inside of wood
with built-in sun protection. These windows
have been newly constructed according to the
original windows, with special sound-proofing
towards the heavily trafficked Aschebergs-
gatan.
Two environmental consultants have been
the methodical driving forces behind this
objective steered environmental task. Among
other factors, demands were placed on reporting
deviations from the environmental demands
stipulated. A minimum demand for all those
involved in the design and the sub-contractors
was that they had an environmental policy. The
contractor has then been responsible for a life-
cycle assessment. During the building works
demolition materials were sorted at source and
bricks were chipped clean for reuse. Machinery
used by the contractor was electrically powered
or utilised eco-diesel fuel. The environmental
consultants monitored environmental issues,
among other things by visiting the site every
month and observing refuse sorting, dampness
protection and the appropriate storage of
building products. An environmental audit was
carried out at the end of the project.
All those participating in the project, from
project manager to building tradesman, have
received environmental training in the form
of a half-day seminar where the environmental
demands of the project were gone through
together with the client and the tenant/user.
During the period the project was underway
the environmental consultants have shown how
to find the declaration of content for building
materials and fill in lists.
The tenant Ekocentrum was demanding and in
this respect an important driving force for the
project, which succeeded in committing the
property owner. It is worth emphasising the
systematic environmental work involving plan-
ning structuring and documentation, which
ensures that the project goals are able to survive
even when persons that have been participating
in the process no longer remain. Participation
in the environmental task and cooperation bet-
ween developer, tenant as well as all the other
actors in the project throughout the process is
highly valued. The process has been enlighten- • Solar collector: ~5 m2
ing for all those involved at the same time as • Planned solution:
being arduous, for instance when choosing ma- Energy purchased
93 kWh/m2 year. Of which:
terials, as suppliers are not so concise when it
- lighting/miscellaneous,
comes to providing environmental declarations electrical equipment
for their materials. On the one hand, the learn- 18 kWh/m2,
- radiators and ventilation
ing process was a burden for many, but on the
75 kWh/m2.
other hand, everybody has learnt a bit about
environmental work. This experience will be
incorporated in the next project, which hope-
fully will have a shorter learning phase.
To engage two environmental consultants
provided some additional knowledge and kept
the whole consultant team in trim, even if this
turned out to be more costly that what had
originally been estimated. Good examples de-
mand thorough and detailed planning and time
in order that demanding tenants are able to
exert their influence!
 WHAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM THESE PROJECTS?

Gårdsten
Gårdsten

General reflection
Bågskytten
Bågskytten

LFF kontor
LFF kontor

Most of these examples are located on the periphery. Above all there
Kyrkbyn
Kyrkbyn
Lindholmen
Lindholmen
is a lack of centrally located housing, and this applies not just to the
Vasa
Vasa Universeum
Universeum
building level (as at Lindholmen or Kyrkbyn) but also to housing estates
or districts.
The project cases focus on varying aspects and technical solutions,
Järnbrott
Järnbrott
Rydebacke by
Marks kommun

and most solutions work (see p. 38-39). However, there are few projects
that fully combine multiple system solutions. Vasa, Universeum and
Rydebacke village make attempts at such, which should be worth testing
Lindås
Lindås in future projects. This also becomes more relevant when attention is
drawn from individual buildings to street blocks and larger areas.
More centrally located housing projects An interesting question that arises in connection with this is how the
are needed. place should be regarded. Shall one build self-sufficient systems or build
these together with existing structures? Or both of these? The integration
of a new area with existing areas supports the concept of the common
utilisation of service functions, technical facilities and traffic systems. In
connection with a certain degree of self-sufficiency, for example, energy
and treatment of sewage, this provides greater freedom. To connect areas
that are to a certain degree self-sufficient to a town or city could be
referred to as ‘local systems in a network’.
Why are there not more built examples?
A successful project leading to a follow-up may take up to 14 years, as
in the case of Järnbrott with its successor at Gårdsten, or just a few years
• The spreading of findings via journals
as in the case of Lindås. Often it is the same initiators that are involved.
does not function satisfactorily, because
there is a limited willingness to
read within the construction sector.
Furthermore, there are few cases that
have been evaluated and difficulty of
access to documentation or lack of such
altogether.
• The lack of follow-up projects also
depends partly on the limited support
from research funds for experimental
and/or demonstration building to any real
degree.
• A documentation system in the form of a
project database, with reference objects
and a high degree of visualisation of the
environmental data (indicators, maps,
technical systems, plans and images),
would facilitate access to information. A change-over to local systems in a network?

36
 The demands placed on a project determine the rules of the game Building programme and
project objectives lay the
and influence the appearance of the product. With more stringent energy foundation for environmental
demands, the Vasa project would have between different from that it is performance of buildings.

today; with demands for local wastewater treatment solutions, the Lindås
housing would have been a variant of today’s solution; and with a
competition programme without demands regarding energy supply on-
site (as far as possible), Universeum would have had another architectural
form. Systematic evaluation
Projects that have been evaluated related to concise objectives are the & documentation
facilitate comparison and
easiest to understand, and the performance of the buildings is easier to
assessment of buildings’
judge in relationship to reference objects. For instance, we know the environmental impact.
Lindås housing can cope with the cold winters. In the same way we
know that the greenhouse at Järnbrott has generated synergy effects,
such as increased harmony and contentment among the tenants. We also
know that energy requirements at Gårdsten have been considerably
reduced, at the same time as the tenants being able to contribute to the Evaluation implies that
form of the project. On the other hand, vague ambitions and goals, and lessons for the future can
be drawn.
where evaluations are lacking make it more difficult to see any
environmental gains and spread knowledge about the projects (LFF,
Lindholmen).
The ongoing restructuring of society and the built environment are
in need of material for the systematic acquisition and spreading of
knowledge. It would be desirable to plan and implement experiments
and development projects together with practitioners and scientific Experimental/
demonstration projects
actors. This should not need to be based on the visionary work of a are needed.
handful of enthusiasts, but be a planned component in the workday
routines of raising quality on the part of the property developers and
real-estate organisations.

37
 The building as a product

Energy. From the energy point of view, the Lindås project demonstrates
effective solutions. Generally speaking solar collectors are established sys-
tems for contributing to heating up hot water, and they have been installed

Photo: Bengt Wallin

Solar collectors roof- and
facade integrated
in most projects. Solar cells for electricity supply are on the way in, if still
slowly. Here there is scope for technical and architectural innovations.
Annual energy utilisation for usable and living areas per person, source
Solar cells of energy and distribution according to utilisation are effective indicators
roof mounted that can also be used as goal variables. In the projects studied, however,
it is often difficult to produce consistent energy values.

Water. The intake of fresh water can be minimised by means of water-

saving systems, which are installed in all the projects. The local treatment
Photo: Bengt Wallin

of surface drainage water is also established. A number of projects even

use these systems as architectural elements. However, the projects do
lack creative solutions for the treatment of sewage water. Only at Ryde-
backe village is all the sewage water filtered through soil or purified in a
greenhouse. Universeum also tests various solutions, among others bio-
logical purification in a mini-waterworks.

Nutritive salts. In several projects, Rydebacke village, Kyrkbyn, Lind-

holmen, Vasa and Universeum, the nutritive substances found in urine
Local treatment of Mini-waterworks
surface water
are taken fully care of. These solutions function technically, but as far
as the recipients are concerned changes and new ways of thinking are
needed. The quality assurance of urine is one aspect, and other areas for
depositing, such as golf courses or parks may be an alternative to farm
land.

Materials. From the environmental perspective different materials can

be compared, and there are far-reaching cases of recycling materials
(LFF). In the examples recycled materials such as bricks, floorboards,
aluminium, insulation materials, stone from the site, windows and steel
beams can be found. Several projects have sought constructional solutions
able to be dismantled. At the Vasa project, life-cycle assessments of
Reused materials
materials were carried out, and content declarations for each building
material were demanded. At Universeum, life-cycle type assessment
studies of a few materials (steel/aluminium in windows, steel/wood in
the roof, etc) were carried out. Materials from the district were used at
Rydebacke village. These aspects mentioned should be taken into account
in future projects, and it should be a matter of course to apply a long-
term perspective.

38
Health and indoor environment. Here it can be pointed out that
sensitivity to electricity is an important issue that has been taken
into account in most of the projects. In addition, important aspects
are reducing emissions from materials and surfaces as well as noise
disturbance in and outside the building. Natural ventilation is a means
of reducing indoor sound levels. Choice of systems should however be
made according to functional demands.

Eco-cycle. The sorting of refuse at source, cultivation and composting

represent the eco-cycle here, and have been promising in many projects.
The issue that should be taken up in future projects is the geographical
dimension in which solutions shall be placed, that is at the local level,
within a district or at the town or city level.

Place. Buildings have been integrated so that the special prerequisites of

the place have been matched, and in certain cases the place has also been

Photo: Christer Nordström Arkitektkontor AB

taken into possession through cultivation, as at Järnbrott, Bågskytten
and to a certain extent at Rydebacke village. Universeum can be said to
be in symbiosis with the rocky hill beside.

Expression. The environmental questions are an inseparable part of

the design issues, but these are not a question of style. The architectural
expression can encompass everything from visualising and signalising
the environment through designed links, as at Universeum, Järnbrott or
Gårdsten, to adapting buildings in existing heritage listed environments,
such as at Lindholmen and Vasa. Some of these projects have received The place is taken into possession
awards, not solely environmentally related, but also thanks to their archi-
tectural qualities.

Traffic. Proximity to public transportation has influenced the locations

of Vasa and Universeum. None of the projects have car-pooling schemes
or anything similar.
Proximitiy to public transportation
Economics. The Lindås project has not been much more costly than
’conventional’ projects, because the additional costs were financed
through the lack of need for a central heating system. Gårdsten illustrates
that savings in energy costs can be considerable, and favourable if the
measures can be implemented in connection with other maintenance
tasks. Regarding the projects that have not been evaluated, it is more
difficult to draw conclusions, but it might be interesting to make
calculations, for example, for the Järnbrott building.

39
 The path to construction – processes

The design and building process. Projects that have had environmen-
tal training and communicated project goals to the actors involved have
provided good results, as at Lindås, Gårdsten and Vasa. Environmental
consultants can serve as process managers and supervise that environmental
objectives are followed up, as at Vasa.

User participation. At Rydebacke village, Gårdsten, Universeum and

Photo: Bengt Wallin Vasa, user participation has contributed to the tenants and/or residents
being satisfied.

Time. Acquiring knowledge, seminars and extra meetings are required

as long as these issues are not fully established within the branch. Time
must be set aside for such educational aspects.
Photo: Nicolas Radi

40
Synergy effects

The refurbishment of a building can generate effects for social life, which Järnbrott and its successor at Gårdsten
demonstrate. Experience and knowledge from the design and construction process can be incorporated in
new projects. That which can be experienced as time consuming, for example, documentation and a thorough
environmental evaluation of materials and solutions, should become less time consuming on the next occasion.
The motivation is increased if all those involved, from building worker to the project manager, are aware of the
objectives they are working towards.

Greenhouse at Järnbrott summer 2003.

 FACING FUTURE CHALLENGES

Process
Sustainable development and environmental adaptation should be in-
cluded from the onset and penetrate every decision, for instance, through
a competition including an environment brief.

Time
• Apply a long-term perspective
rocess......
......P
(e.g. life-cycle costs, life-cycle
analysis and /-assessment).
• Environmental control super-
visor that monitors the project
right through.
Objectives • Allow time for new exemplary
• Formulate concise objectives, ex- models. When there are no
plicitly formulated environmental such, few new ideas are born.
brief and functional demands leav-
ing space for choice of systems
= leave creative freedom for the
architects and design consultants.
• Set concise goals able to be
monitored and follow them up. Documentation &
evaluation
• Systematic documentation of the
project/process.
• Evaluate and spread knowledge.
Actors • Plan and budget for evaluation
and monitoring.
• Early participation of all the actors. • Internal monitoring. External
• Training for all the actors: distribution of findings.
consultants, building workers, future
users, etc.
• Everybody aware of the objectives.
• The client: demand environmental
competence.
• Architect: greater responsibility for
the whole.

42
Product
The effective use and economisation of resources, as well as choice of
resources and technical solutions that reduce negative influences on
people, climate and the ecosystem are fundamental.

• Through the deliberate design of the building’s environmental

qualities, the duration of the project and the environmental burden
Aim at future projects.
of building brief is limited. They are for spreading
• The building is site-bound and the environmental influence is re- learning.
lated to the situation at the place (transport, public transport, local
environment, etc).
• Architectural qualities can be regarded as ‘sustainable’ qualities.
• New forms of resources, for example, renewable sources of energy,
have made their entrance. Has the post-fossil era begun?
Decide upon the level
• Multi-functional materials. There are materials, systems and construc- of ambition – set the
tions able to satisfy several functions (solar-energy systems: energy cutting edge for the
project.
suppliers and part of climatic shell, such as façade elements).
• Renewable materials, recycled/recyclable materials and constructions
are important. Utilisation of these can be far-reaching.
• Do not apply technical solutions straight off from other projects,
instead start off from the projects own specific prerequisites.
• Designed links. Technical solutions are designed to be visible
Rank environmental
and become an educational element. Creativity does not set any problems.
boundaries...
• Creative thinking with regard to systematic solutions for water and
sewage are needed.
• Environmental responsibility. Devote thought to how existing
solutions function in new planning situations. Demolish or integrate
into new solutions?

Hopefully, that which is built today will stand for 100 more years,
constituting the building stock for the future. What will actually be
regarded as new in 20 years time? What is it that makes the project
interesting and worthy of learning from even then? Good architecture,
groundbreaking system solutions or perhaps even well-functioning,
usable buildings may be important aspects.

43
 Developments take place from project to project, at the same time
as the news-value of the project has a certain ‘best before’ date. Some
projects can feel like they are everyday ones in spite of the fact that
they are still unusual. However, these have their given place in history.
It is of lesser importance if these that are now termed pilot schemes,
demonstration schemes, experimental schemes or something else, it is
important that the ambitions and the results are regarded as part of a line
of development, and not as an individual building that soon becomes
dated. And this also applies to future projects...

The level of ambition

For all new projects a stand has to be taken as to what level of ambition
to rest on. The fundamental issue for future projects in Göteborg thus
becomes:

Where shall the cutting edge lie? Shall one lie at the forefront? How far
and in which way?

If Göteborg wants to lie at the forefront, a competition should at

least focus on the best praxis with some elements of innovation. The
competition should then be part of a learning process. Another important
aspect is how the buildings and their relationships to the town or city are
regarded. One course of action is to take a holistic grip, with partially self-
supporting systems within the system boundaries of the area, at the same
time as the area is integrated into the existing infrastructure in order to
support the joint utilisation of service functions and public transportation.
In order to be able to measure progress, facilitate comparison with other
projects and generate knowledge for following projects, it is important
to have good documentation and an evaluation of the project after im-
plementation.

Göteborg should go in for best praxis

solutions with some element of innovations.

44
45
LIST OF SOURCES

Literature
Berg, Karin (1998). Att bygga ekologiskt sunt och kretsloppsanpassat i Göteborg. Miljöförvaltningen, Göteborg.
Boverket (2003). Boverket särskilda ansvar för byggsektorn. Nätupplaga: http://www.boverket.se/novo/filelib/arkiv01/
bsa030912.pdf (december 2003).
Boverket (1999). Byggsektorns miljömål. Rapport, Boverket, Karlskrona.
Bygga, bo och förvalta framtiden (2003). Förvalta för en bättre byggd miljö. Stockholm.
Bygga, bo och förvalta framtiden (2003). Bygga/bo-dialogen. För en hållbar bygg- och fastighetssektor. Stockholm.
Byggsektorns kretsloppsråd (2003). Byggsektorns miljöprogram 2003. Arbetsutgåva 2003-06-03. Nätupplaga: http://www.
kretsloppsradet.com/miljoprogramRemisser030603.shtml (oktober 2003).
Byggsektorns kretsloppsråd (2001). Byggsektorns betydande miljöaspekter. Miljöutredning för byggsektorn. Slutrapport, Byggsektorns
Kretsloppsråd, Stockholm. Nätupplaga: http://www.kretsloppsradet.com/miljoprogramMiljoutredning.shtml
(oktober 2003).
Edén, Michael (2000). Sustainable Architecture at a Crossroads. Konferens Teaching in Architecture, Oxford, July 2000.
Edén Michael (2000). Ekobygg och sedan. Arkitektur 6/2000, Stockholm.
Ekocentrum (2003). Miljökarta Västra Götaland. Ekocentrum, Göteborg.
Falkheden, Lena (1999). Lokalområdet som strategi för en hållbar stadsutveckling. Fallstudier av tre danska exempel. Avhandling,
Stadsbyggnad, Chalmers Arkitektur, Göteborg.
Femenías, Paula (2000). Learning from Buildings. A Strategy for Environmental Design. Discussions from a Case Study of sustainable
Building Project GWL-terrain in Amsterdam. Licentiat, Byggd miljö & hållbar utveckling, Chalmers Arkitektur,
Göteborg.
Femenías, Paula (1994). Ekobyggen i Göteborg med omnejd hösten 1994. Byggnadsplanering, Chalmers Arkitektur, Göteborg.
Miljömålen (2003). Nätupplaga: http://miljomal.nu (december 2003).
Miljövårdsberedningen (2001). Tänk nytt. Tänk hållbart! Dialog och samverkan för hållbar utveckling. Fritzes offentliga publikationer,
Stockholm.
Naturvårdsverket (2003). The power of example. An evaluation of how examples of best practices, good examples and success stories are
used in the work for sustainability. Rapport 5283, Naturvårdsverket, Stockholm.
Stenberg, Ann-Charlotte (2000). Fallbeskrivning. Markanvisningstävling för bostäder med kretsloppstänkande, fastigheten Kikaren 8,
Karlstad. Rapport, Institutionen för Byggnadsekonomi, Chalmers, Göteborg.
Thurell, Sören (1996). SARs ekoguide. Insikt. 150 ekologiska byggnader i Sverige. Byggförlaget, Stockholm.
Thuvander, Liane (2004). Byggande för en hållbar utveckling i Göteborg. 10 exempel. Stadsbyggnadskontoret, Fastighetskontoret,
Byggd miljö & hållbar utveckling Chalmers Arkitektur, Göteborg.
Thuvander, Liane (2002). Towards Environmental Informatics for Building Stocks. A Conceptual Model for an Environmental Building
Stock Information System for Sustainable Development – EBSISSD. Avhandling, Byggd miljö & hållbar utveckling, Chalmers
Arkitektur, Göteborg.
Wallin, Bengt (2002). Design med miljöanpassning – exemplet Universeum. Om integration av miljöaspekter i en byggnads
utformningsprocess. Licentiat, Byggd Miljö & Hållbar Utveckling, Chalmers Arkitektur, Göteborg.

Interviews
Andersson, Jan-Erik (Education leader at LFF and idea-developer for, among others, Bågskytten, LFF, Vasa):
Telephone interview 27 February 2004.
Andersson, Folke (Former project leader & property manager at LFF): Personal interview 30 September 2003.
Andersson, Kjell (Building supervisor Lindholmen, Bostadsbolaget): Personal interview 25 September 2003.

46
Dalenbäck, Jan Olof (Researcher, responsible for energy measures & evaluation Gårdsten):
Personal interview 24 September 2003.
Leander, Göran (Environmental and energy facilities manager, Poseidon): Telephone interview 9 October 2003.
Radi, Nicolas (Operations manager, LFF): Personal interview 30 September 2003.
Shamoun, Verde (Environmental secretary LFF; previously Bågskytten): Personal interview 30 September 2003.
Simes, Lena (PhD-student, case study Vasa & Lindås, Chalmers Architecture, Built Environment & Sustainable
Development): Personal interviews september, October 2003.
Skarhall, Martin (Operations and IT manager, Universeum): Telephone interview 1 December 2003.
Thorell, Benny (Building supervisor Järnbrott, Poseidon): Telephone interview 22 September 2003.
Wallner, Stefan (Architect, initiator and builder of single family house at Rydebacke village):
Personal interview 23 oktober 2003.

Participants at the seminar 15 October 2003:

Representatives for

Lindholmen -
Lindås Hans Eek
Rydebacke village Stefan Wallner
Bågskytten Folke Andersson, Verde Shamoun
Universeum Bengt Wallin
Järnbrott Christer Nordström, Göran Leander
Kyrkbyn Göran Leander
Gårdsten Christer Nordström, Anna Nordström
LFF office Folke Andersson, Verde Shamoun
Vasa Jerker Olsson

Others: Hans Linderstad, Ulf Moback, Ulrika Lundquist, Maj-Britt Olsbo, Klas Svanbom (all Planning & Building
Administration), Peter Junker, Hardy Svan (both Property Management Administration), Michael Edén, Björn Malbert, Liane
Thuvander (all Chalmers Architecture, Theme Built Environment & Sustainable Development), Robert Dufva

Internet

Besus: www.arch.chalmers.se/tema/byggd-miljo
Boverket: www.boverket.se
Byggsektorns kretsloppsråd www.kretsloppsradet.com
Bygga/Bo-dialogen www.byggabodialogen.se
Göteborgs Stad Stadsbyggnadskontoret www.stadsbyggnad.goteborg.se/
Göteborgs Stad Fastighetskontoret www.fastighetskontoret.goteborg.se/
Kretsloppskontoret www.kretslopp.goteborg.se/
Miljöförvaltningen www.miljo.goteborg.se/
Miljömålsportalen www.miljomal.nu
Naturvårdsverket www.naturvardsverket.se/

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