Energy efficiency and environmental awareness integrated in the every day living - Awarded in the environment 2000 competition, new buildings class

Tommy Kjellgren, SBC Bostad AB
Agneta Persson, ÅF-Energikonsult AB

Abstract

SBC, a Swedish housing company mostly providing multifamily co-operative housing (tenant-owned individual flats in multifamily buildings), has a well-established reputation of high quality buildings. SBC now has deepened their environmental-engagement commitment even further by integrating energy-efficiency measures and environmental awareness from the very start of the building design process. The energy consumption in these new, high standard buildings is calculated to be less than 90 kWh/m2 compared to a Swedish standard that is often more than three times higher. Environmental assessments carried out during the design process also show remarkable results.

An overall life-cycle cost approach is used when creating the SBC homes of the future. Four specific energy-efficiency and environmentally friendly areas have been given particular attention in the design process.

These are:

Lighting: Increased use of daylight, unique solutions in the residential sector, energy-efficient luminaires almost everywhere in the building, and lighting control sensors
IT: individual metering of energy and water, car-fleet bookings, security and maintenance alarm features
Comfort: High-performance windows, low-temperature heating system (floor distributed), energy-efficient appliances, and efficient and environmentally friendly waste handling system
Building components: Hybrid PV cells and solar collectors, cables combined for TV, telecommunication and IT. All building components will be well insulated.

The first SBC multi-family building following this new strategy has been competing successfully in the Environment 2000 Competition, where the concept won a silver medal. The first new building following this concept will be erected in Stockholm (the new city district Hammarby Sjöstad). The construction phase will start in February 2001, and the inhabitants will be moving in beginning June 2002.