Brofästet Apartment Building by DinellJohansson: A Plus-Energy Residential Landmark in Stockholm

Located in the vibrant city of Stockholm, Sweden, the Brofästet Apartment Building designed by DinellJohansson exemplifies modern sustainable residential architecture. Completed in 2021, this innovative project spans 45,511 m² and offers 43 energy-efficient rental apartments within two interconnected buildings. The project emerged from a land allocation competition initiated by the city of Stockholm, seeking a plus-energy residential building that demonstrates cutting-edge energy efficiency while enhancing the urban landscape.

The architectural design was commissioned by Stockholmshem, the city’s public housing company, in collaboration with a team of sustainability and technical experts. DinellJohansson’s winning proposal combined pragmatic functionality with environmental innovation, establishing a precedent for future Swedish residential developments. The buildings are technically integrated, sharing a geothermal heating system and advanced heat recovery systems for both used air and wastewater, reflecting a holistic approach to energy-efficient urban housing.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Swedish rural houses, the concept of the apartments embraces seasonal adaptability. Historically, rural homes “shrunk” into a single heated space during winter and expanded into additional spaces during summer. Brofästet reinterprets this principle for contemporary living: each apartment features a glazed gallery that expands the interior space during warmer months, creating a dynamic, elastic living environment. The gallery is structurally separated from the main building envelope, preventing thermal bridges that typical balconies often experience, and further enhancing energy efficiency.

In addition to the intelligent layout, the building meets plus-energy standards through the strategic integration of photovoltaic panels on the roof and parts of the facades. The roof ridges are angled to maximize south-facing solar exposure, while the north-facing roofs are designed as green planted surfaces, mitigating surface water runoff and capturing CO2. These strategies underscore the project’s dual commitment to sustainability and innovative design.

All photographs are works of Mikael Olsson, Stockholmshem