It is the so-called Språkskrapan, which was built in the 1960s, that Akademiska Hus is now transforming into a modern accommodation for students and researchers at the University of Gothenburg. The building is located in the Näckrosen area at Renströmsparken between Götaplatsen and Korsvägen, and has previously been used as an office but was vacated when the university moved to new premises in the rebuilt and nearby Humanisten.
"We know that there is a great demand for student and researcher housing around the country, which is why Akademiska Hus is working hard to create more housing on campus. It is important to us and in this case Gothenburg as an attractive student city. Housing also contributes to a more open campus that comes alive around the clock," says Susanne Malmgren, Head of Student Housing at Akademiska Hus.
Akademiska Hus is investing SEK 103 million in the new apartments, which will be leased by the University of Gothenburg to be rented out to exchange students and visiting researchers. Occupancy is planned to take place in the summer of 2023.
"We are really happy about this addition. Exchange students and visiting researchers are of great importance to the university and to Gothenburg, and being able to offer housing is a prerequisite for it to be practically possible for them to come here," says Karin Hellqvist. Head of Section for Welcome Services at the University of Gothenburg.
Focus on shared housing
The new homes consist of two buildings with a common stairwell and an integrated part with Humanisten. The apartments will be classic student studios and duo apartments for two people. But there is also room for larger apartments in accordance with the student housing concept for shared living that Akademiska Hus has developed. In these apartments, five to six people live, each with their own bedroom but sharing a kitchen, living room and bathroom.
"Sharing accommodation has several advantages. It promotes social community and prevents the loneliness that many students feel when they move to a new city. In addition, it is good from a sustainability perspective when functions and spaces are shared and we can thus achieve a more affordable rent," says Susanne Malmgren, Head of Student Housing at Akademiska Hus.
Illustration: Arkitema
Solar cells and reuse with extensive climate benefits
As part of Akademiska Hus' work to achieve a zero vision for its climate footprint, the existing office building has been inventoried with the aim of being able to make use of and reuse parts of the existing materials during the conversion into housing. When Akademiska Hus, together with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, has calculated the effects of reuse, it is clear that the climate benefit amounts to 44 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents and that the amount of waste is reduced by 75 tonnes. In addition, IVL estimates the economic value of the products reused in Språkskrapan to be SEK 540,000.
The building will also be equipped with solar cells on the roof. The plant is estimated to produce about 21,000 KWh of sustainable energy per year and will cover part of the building's internal electricity needs, for example for lighting. Another essential sustainable aspect is that Akademiska Hus is building the student housing in an already existing building. In this way, the project's climate impact is significantly reduced compared to a new construction.
About the Näckrosen Area
With its central location, Näckrosen is a place with great opportunities. In addition to the conversion of Språkskrapan into student housing, a number of other projects are being planned in the area, where Akademiska Hus and the University of Gothenburg want to create a knowledge park for the humanities, art and culture and develop the area as a meeting place between academia and society.
The new Humanisten was completed in December 2019 and brings together the Faculty of Humanities under one roof. Planning is now underway for a new building for the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts with an integrated entrance from the Västlänken station Korsvägen, in parallel with the planning of a new and more functional university library.
With proximity to the cultural institutions around Götaplatsen as well as to Korsvägen and the event area, the university area Näckrosen will be an even more active and integrated part of Gothenburg in a few years.
Anna Alsborger
Fastighetsdirektör