Sustainable living at it’s cutest!

Tengbom Architects in Sweden has designed student accommodation which is affordable, environmental-friendly and smart both in terms of design and choice of materials. The project is a collaboration with wood manufacturer Martinsons and real estate company AF Bostäder. To meet the needs of students in a sustainable, smart and affordable way was the key objective when Tengbom in collaboration with students at the University of Lund was designing this student units of 10 square meters. The unit is now displayed in Virserum Art Museum and in 2014, 22 units will be built and ready for students to move into. To successfully build affordable student housing requires innovative thinking and new solutions. The area in each unit is reduced from current requirement, 25 square meters to just 10 square meters through legal consent.I have no idea how I would go in such a little space!  This truly compact-living flat still offers a comfortable sleeping-loft, kitchen, bathroom and a small garden with a patio. Through an efficient layout and the use of cross laminated wood as a construction material the rent is reduced by 50 % and the ecological impact and carbon footprints is also significantly reduced. Energy efficiency is a key issue when designing new buildings. Choosing right material and manufacturing methods is vital to minimize the carbon emission and therefore wood was chosen for its carbon positive qualities, and as a renewable resource it can be sourced locally to minimize transportation. And to top it off they are just so bloody cute!

Story by Richard Misso. To see more by Tengbom Architects . Photographer: Bertil Hertzberg