Sharp: Creating Social Acceptance through Sustainability

Description

Through redevelopment, older buildings can be renewed to become more durable and meet today’s environmental requirements. Riksbyggen has initiated a gentle rebuilding and extension of the residential area Skarpan in Linköping, built in 1965, which has now passed the requirements to be certified in accordance with Miljöbyggnad Silver. The area has undergone extensive but careful renovation and densification. The 282 original apartments have been completely renovated and 150 new apartments have been added by the addition of a fourth floor. Elevator goes to all floors and basements, where apartment stores are located.

Context

In 1965 the complex was built and laid the foundation for the residential area of Skarpan, which now is a well thought out and modern residential area with proximity to both nature and the city’s offerings. After almost five decades, it was time to completely renovate the area and in 2010 work was initiated to bring Sharp into the future. The renovation has been done carefully to keep the character alive from the time the area was built. The 282 original apartments have been completely renovated and 150 new apartments have been added by the addition of a fourth floor. The rebuild was completed in the fall of 2018. 

Already in 2012, Riksbyggen began to use the environmental certification system Miljöbyggnad in its new production of apartment buildings. The latter was developed according to Swedish conditions and is the most widely used certification system in Sweden. It is based on Swedish environmental goals, building regulations and building and management practices. Sharp is the first redevelopment project within Riksbyggen, which is certified with Miljöbyggnad Silver.

Results

The entire area has been energy optimized and the renovation has been done in a resource-efficient way by reusing and refreshing instead of throwing.

• The living environment has improved both in terms of air quality and sound level.
• Fully renovated apartments with preservation of period details. Increased accessibility by, among other things, the use of elevators. Courtyards and playgrounds have been renovated.
• 30 percent more apartments without having to use land
  

For the residents:
Fully renovated apartments with preservation of period details. Increased accessibility by, among other things, the use of elevators. Courtyards and playgrounds have been renovated.

For the municipality:
30 percent more apartments without having to use land. New nursing home and extension of pre-school.

For a sustainability perspective: The
entire area has been energy optimized and the renovation has been done in a resource-efficient way by reusing and freshening instead of throwing

Why it works

Environmental certification of rebuilding is still in its infancy in Sweden, but seen from an environmental perspective is very important. Caring for and developing the existing housing stock reduces the impact on the environment. In Skarpan, the Riksbyggen has also created 30 per cent more housing without using valuable land by adding a floor at the height. The units have been renovated by not tearing everything out. Much has been restored instead of throwing old furniture and amenities out and replacing it with new sets. For example, large parts of the existing kitchen fittings have been saved and renovated.

Scale

local