The start is now underway for the construction of 170 apartments that will provide 350 students and researchers with accommodation close to the campus in connection with the Ångström Laboratory and Biomedical Center (BMC) at Uppsala University. The investment is an important contribution to reducing the student housing shortage that prevails in the city and which means that Uppsala was recently redlisted in Sweden's United Student Unions' annual report on the housing situation for the country's students in 34 study locations.
The new student and researcher residences have been named Aquila, which is the Latin name for the constellation Örnen and Uppland's landscape constellation. The location in Rosendal, the emerging new district between Stadsskogen and Dag Hammarskjölds väg, means that Ångström and BMC are connected with commerce, services and other housing that is currently being developed in the area. There is also proximity to recreation areas and communication routes.
Aquila will consist of 13,000 square meters of new construction divided into a high part of twelve floors and a low part of six floors. The building will be shaped like a U around a farm and with a beautiful wooden facade it will be woven together with the pine trees in the area. The project also includes a rebuilding of three older heritage-listed buildings of a total of 350 square meters, which will be used, among other things, for bicycle storage.
- The demand for student and researcher housing is high all over the country, including in Uppsala. At Akademiska Hus, we are therefore committed to creating more housing on campus that is both sustainable and affordable. With more student housing, the universities' attractiveness increases and the campus areas become more lively and open, says Annika Stridh, property area manager at Akademiska Hus.
Both shared accommodation and classic studios
The new student and researcher apartments are built according to Akademiska Hus' housing concept Academic Living, which means that the block will contain a variety of different types of apartments - everything from classic studios with their own kitchens to apartments where up to six people share common areas such as bathrooms and kitchens . Sharing accommodation offers many advantages. It promotes social community and thus counteracts the feeling of loneliness that many students experience when moving to a new city. Shared accommodation is also positive from a sustainability perspective, as functions and surfaces are shared.
- The student housing situation is strained in the country and it is positive to see Akademiska Hus being built for students and researchers in Uppsala. In SFS's latest housing report, it was found that the pace of construction needs to increase in order to meet the students' need for safe housing for the entire period of study, says Linn Svärd, chairman of Sweden's United Student Unions.
Solar cells on the roof
The building has also been equipped with solar cells which are estimated to produce 60,000 kWh of sustainable energy per year. The investment is part of Akademiska Hus' work to create locally produced renewable energy and to reach a zero vision for the company's climate footprint.
The new student and researcher residences are expected to be ready for occupancy in 2024. Akademiska Hus is investing approximately SEK 360 million in the project.