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Small, space-efficient and shared by many

Newly-built, sustainable housing can vary widely. The basic factors för us are residential density, space efficiency, materials, sharing economies, high energy requirements and bicycle-friendly surroundings.

Building for high residential density is self-evident for AF Bostäder. New areas are built in city environments where empty space is to be utilised maximally, preferably in combination projects with schools or other activities. Apartments can be designed for sharing by several people.

“Efficient use of space is a basic requirement,” says Magnus, former Property Development Manager at AF Bostäder. “We want to have as many places to live as possible in the square metres available, and all the elements are to be thought through to avoid having unused space. We never build billiard rooms or club premises, as we would then be putting resources and energy into spaces that will seldom be used. Instead, we ensure that natural meeting places such as laundry rooms and courtyards are pleasant places to be.”

“Student apartments are generally small, which basically makes them sustainable,” says Magnus. “On average, our apartments offer 25 m2 per person. The use of resources is then as efficient as possible, both in new construction and for property management. In the Bokompakt concept, we are testing apartments that offer 10 m2.”

“All materials are to be strong and withstand the considerable moving around we have in our properties,” says Magnus. “To avoid substances that are hazardous to health, we follow a system called BASTA, which is owned by the IVL Swedish Environment Research Institute and the Swedish Construction Federation. All the building materials we use in new construction are BASTA-certified.”

The economies of sharing and an economical use of resources are important aspects. Tenants share housing, laundry rooms, waste stations, outside environments etc.

“We never make individual adjustments, such as a washing machine in an apartment,” states Magnus. “Instead we create large, pleasant laundry rooms that everyone shares, using an online booking system. One laundry room can meet the needs of 550 apartments. The rent includes automatic dosing of eco-friendly and hypoallergenic washing powder.”

The energy requirements in new construction regulations are strict, and AF Bostäder always does its best to ensure energy consumption is below the requirements.

“We have our own formulated energy requirement of 64 kWh per m2, which is lower than the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning’s for 2017, which is 75 kWh,” says Magnus. “We install systems for heat recycling and solar cells where we can, and we monitor energy consumption in our properties. A challenge for the future is to further improve our energy performance, without compromising the indoor house climate and comfort.”

“Our newly-built housing areas are also generally car-free. Students prefer to cycle and we encourage that by providing areas adapted for pedestrians and cyclists. Among other things, all our tenants have a covered parking space for their bicycles,” concludes Magnus.


Latest update June 4, 2018

An illustration of what Rhodos will look like
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Rhodos – an extremely climate-friendly student housing area

AF Bostäder is implementing one of Sweden’s biggest investments in long-term sustainable student housing at Kämnärsrätten. Three of the quarters are now complete, one is close to being inaugurated and in 2022 construction began on Rhodos – a wonder in terms of sustainability and low climate impact.

Two people shaking hands, only the arms are visible
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Whistleblower system in place

At the end of 2022, AF Bostäder launched a whistleblower system in which staff can anonymously report serious misconduct. No whistleblower cases have been reported.

Four-leaf clover buildings
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The end of an era heralds new, sustainable times

When Kämnärsrätten was built in the 1960s, Hans Westman’s innovative “four-leaf clover” buildings had an important role, and in total provided accommodation for 1 000 students. Many students have good memories from these special small buildings, which, apart from in the quarter at Gylleholm, are now a thing of the past. AF Bostäder has been demolishing four-leaf clover buildings since 2016 and has started one of Sweden’s biggest investments in long-term sustainable student housing.

Bird view over Delphi
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At Delphi, 425 of 850 bathrooms are renovated and ready

In an extensive renovation project, AF Bostäder is replacing all the plumbing systems for 850 corridor rooms at Delphi. Bathrooms, accommodation, ventilation, broadband and corridor fixtures will also get a revamp. The work is following an ingenious system in which all tenants avoid disruption by moving to a newly renovated corridor – with no change in the rent.

A student unpacks a box in her student room
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More accommodation places for new students

Newly admitted Lund University students whose home is outside Skåne need housing directly in order to begin their studies. The number of accommodation places earmarked for long-distance students increased in 2022.

Four students in a corridor kitchen. Two sit at a table talking, one is cooking by the stove and one is sitting in a sofa reading.
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Well-considered rent increases secure future housing

AF Bostäder’s rent-setting stems from a rent model based on the students’ wishes, and the annual rent increase is negotiated with the Swedish Union of Tenants (Hyresgästföreningen). As AF Bostäder is a foundation, the revenue remains entirely within the organisation, where it is used for maintenance and long-term investments.

Two people on a constructionsite. They are weating yellow jackets, white helmets and one of them is looking down at a blueprint while the other is looking into the camera
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Code of conduct introduced

In 2020, AF Bostäder produced a code of conduct that is to ensure that AF Bostäder and the company’s partners have the same sustainability aims. The introduction continued in 2021 with a focus on close dialogue.

View over Kämnärsvägen, with Hippocampus in focus
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New city district generates knowledge about sustainable student housing

At Kämnärsrätten, AF Bostäder is driving one of Sweden’s largest investments in student housing. The plans cover six new quarters, and the company is on a purposeful development journey in which each new construction project becomes more innovative and sustainable than the last. The last quarter is the best by far – and the next will be even better.

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New whistleblower function

AF Bostäder has a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of corruption. The company has both internal guidelines for business ethics and a code of conduct for staff and partners. A whistleblower function will also be established soon.

Three students in a corridor kithen at Vildanden
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High demand, but there is housing for everyone

There is a high demand for housing adapted for students in Lund, but there are many alternatives and most people who are admitted for studies have some form of housing at the start of the semester. AF Bostäder is working in the long term to increase accommodation, and new student housing quarters are taking shape.

Newly renovated pink kitchen, seating, dining table and staircase in 50's style
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Sustainable and homely with a touch of the 1950s

The corridor accommodation at Tomegapsgården 15 was renovated during the summer of 2020. The theme throughout was to create a homely atmosphere, and with interior design in a 1950s style the corridor accommodation has been restored to its former glory.

The facades of Studentlyckan with colorful balconies in red, blue, green and yellow.
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Smooth path to newly renovated Studentlyckan

Studentlyckan, established in 1960, is one of AF Bostäder’s most popular housing areas. The area is pleasant with a park-like courtyard environment and well-known for its facades with tiling in different colours. Studentlyckan was designed by Hans Westman and is in easy walking distance of the centre.

Arial view over newly built quarters at Kämnärsrätten
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More green spaces for better management of urban runoff

When cities become denser, green spaces are usually sacrificed to make way for impervious surfaces, which increase the load on the urban runoff network. At Kämnärsrätten, AF Bostäder is doing the opposite. With more green spaces than previously, the area is equipped for future downpours.

Illustration of Hippocampus
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Hippocampus – a highpoint for 233 students

In a project lasting several years, AF Bostäder is transforming the old student housing quarter at Kämnärsrätten into a green and long-term sustainable city district. Hippocampus, a varied and pleasant quarter providing space for 233 Lund students, will be completed in 2021. Among other things, the area offers a height record and one of Lund’s highest vantage points.

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Together for sustainable development

AF Bostäder’s operations are reliant to a large extent on other companies and contractors – partners. A new Code of Conduct introduced in 2020 will therefore ensure that AF Bostäder and the company’s partners have similar sustainability ambitions. The Code of Conduct is based on cooperation, so that future sustainability procedures are developed and improved – together.

Two students and a cat in a sofa
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Radon measurements completed

To ensure the good quality of indoor air in student housing, AF Bostäder has carried out long-term measurements of radon in all residential properties.

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AF Bostäder’s plan: one new construction start per year

AF Bostäder will continue to develop it property portfolio in order to provide more student housing. Construction under our own management is the right way to go – it generates increased knowledge, better housing and city districts that are sustainable in the long term. AF Bostäder has an ambitious and balanced expansion goal. Going forward, there will be one new construction start per year

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StudBO19 highlighted the role of student housing in a city

StudBO, a conference and forum for all those involved in student housing in Sweden, is held every other year. In October 2019, the co-hosts were MKB and AF Bostäder. Approximately 250 participants from all over Sweden joined politicians, housing experts and inspirational speakers to talk about the significance of student housing for a city.

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Campuskilen – an outdoor living room

AF Bostäder would like to encourage students (and others) to spend time outdoors. Now the company is rebuilding Kämnärsrätten in north Lund and also setting up Campuskilen – an activity thoroughfare with green spaces for exercise, studying and socialising. 

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Newly built housing proves popular when the future moves in

In 2019, AF Bostäder completed a record number of newly built housing places for students and all are now occupied and ready. Despite the high rate of construction, the focus is on sustainability. Here, students are going to be able to live, work and feel good for many years to come.

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Successful densification using 3D property division

In cooperation with Lund Municipality, AB Bostäder is building Sagoeken – a new quarter in Kämnärsrätten for both schoolchildren and students. The project has been enabled by 3-D property division.

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A boost for Vildanden’s outdoor environment

The outdoor environment at Vildanden has during the past year undergone extensive renovation. According to the customers' wishes, there are now new barbecue areas, new bicycle parking spaces and a boule court.

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New student housing – for a sustainable Lund

AF Bostäder is playing an increasingly important role as a developer of the city and its built environment, and is in a record-breaking period in terms of ongoing construction projects.

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Inspiring the students – our greatest sustainability initiative

As developers of the built environment, AF Bostäder has a sustainability mission that is out of the ordinary – to inspire our young tenants to make more sustainable choices in life. They are our future.

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The rejuvenation of Studentlyckan

Studentlyckan is getting new kitchens, a better indoor climate and new facades. Due to good planning and smart solutions, each apartment is renovated in just ten days, with minimum disruption.

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Strategic divestment of Vildanden’s family housing section

In the spring of 2017, AF Bostäder sold the family housing section of the Vildanden housing area, Vildandsvägen 2–32, to Heimstaden Bostads AB.

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AF Bostäder builds in collaboration – one for all, and all for the customer

To get better control of quality and costs in its construction projects, AF Bostäder has ended with traditional procurement. Instead, projects are designed, calculated and implemented with all the stakeholders.

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Student housing – an investment in the future

AF Bostäder is a creator of the built environment and wants to shape long-term sustainable city districts, where students and Lund residents can have a good future.

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Renovation of balconies and galleries at Ulrikedal

Between 2012 and 2017, all balconies and galleries at Ulrikedal were renovated as a part of our maintenance and renewal plan.

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Vegalyckan - a nice combination of housing and school!

In November 2015, AF Bostäder inaugurated Vegalyckan, a result of a cooperation with Lundafastigheter. Here, preschool and elementary school are combined with new housing for up to 172 students.

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Kämnärsrätten - a new district in Lund is formed

AF Bostäder aims to develop housing for another 1,250 students by 2021. Focus is on new construction and AF Bostäder is becoming increasingly important as a city developer.

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The four-leaf clover houses at Gylleholm gets a new life

At Gylleholm there are 48 1-room apartments housed in Hans Westman's famous fyrklöverhus (lously translated as "four-leaf cloverhouse") from 1966.