Electrolux’s Smart City: A Blueprint for Net-Zero Living

A quick game of word association…

Electrolux.

Fridges, freezers, ovens, washing machines, hobs, tumble dryers. The list goes on.

Only those who are in the know would reply with: “Sustainable town.”

But in western Kungsholmen, Stockholm, that is exactly what Electrolux is developing – and its latest element has just opened.

Electrolux officially opened its new headquarters extension within the Greenhouse Sthlm neighbourhood, achieving what CEO Yannick Fierling described as "an incredible milestone" with world-leading green building certifications.

The development challenges conventional approaches to construction and community design. It is a comprehensive reimagining of how 3,000 residents will live, work and interact within a neighbourhood designed from the ground up to minimise climate impact whilst maximising quality of life.

The project is evidence that sustainable urban development can deliver environmental performance and commercial viability, providing a model for cities worldwide grappling with the dual challenges of urban density and decarbonisation.

Yannick said: “I’m incredibly proud of this new landmark. It’s not just a building, it’s a testament to what we can achieve as a truly sustainable company.”

Electrolux and Skanska: an established partnership

The town is being developed by Swedish construction company Skanska – a point that Yannick was quick to acknowledge.

He said: “Of course, none of this would have been possible without the right partners. I would like to say a huge thank you to our building partners Skanska, as well as architects Archus and the City of Stockholm.”

Anders Danielsson, President & CEO, Skanska Group, said: “Thank you Electrolux Group and CEO Yannick Fierling for inviting me to join the official opening of your new global headquarters in Stockholm.

“It was an honour that brought back fond memories. The previous HQ was my first project as a Design Manager with Skanska 26 years ago.

“I truly appreciate our collaboration on this flagship building that embodies our shared principles of sustainability and functionality.”

Record-breaking certification achievement

The Electrolux headquarters extension has established new benchmarks for sustainable construction in Sweden.

The building achieved a BREEAM Outstanding certification with a score of 96.6%, ranking seventh place globally and representing the highest score ever recorded in Sweden.

This places the project among an elite group of buildings worldwide that have achieved such exceptional environmental performance.

The building also secured Sweden's NollCO2 certification, confirming net-zero climate impact, alongside the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for sustainable homes and FSC certification for responsibly sourced Swedish timber.

Carbon reduction through material innovation

The development's approach to embodied carbon is a fundamental departure from conventional construction methods.

According to its NollCO2 assessment, the project has cut emissions by 57% compared to conventional construction – a reduction achieved primarily through strategic material selection and innovative building techniques.

Yannick emphasised the carbon sequestration benefits, saying: "The wood used in the project stores more CO₂ than was emitted during the build."

This achievement transforms the building into a carbon asset, with the structure functioning as a long-term carbon store.

The timber construction, sourced from responsibly-managed Swedish forests, demonstrates how renewable materials can deliver structural performance and climate priorities.

The project incorporates reused bricks alongside new timber construction, illustrating how circular economy principles can be integrated into premium developments without compromising looks or function.

This combination of material reuse and bio-based construction creates a hybrid approach that maximises carbon reduction across the entire building lifecycle.

Integrated neighbourhood design philosophy

Greenhouse Sthlm extends beyond individual building performance to embrace neighbourhood-scale sustainability.

The development's website calls it “a small city within the city”.

It adds: “Much of what you would normally have to leave your neighbourhood to do you will find here, close to you, and what you do not find in the neighbourhood you can reach with a short walk."

This concept of the "15-minute neighbourhood" reduces transportation emissions by co-locating residential, commercial and recreational functions within walking distance.

The proximity to Stadshagen metro station, large green areas and Lake Mälaren further enhances connectivity and reduces dependence on private vehicles.

The development includes a car and bike pool within the garage.

The neighbourhood will accommodate shared spaces managed by condominium associations, enabling residents to access resources flexibly according to their needs.

Renewable energy and biodiversity integration

The development's roofs are covered with solar panels, including Electrolux-branded installations on the headquarters extension, generating renewable electricity on-site and reducing grid dependence.

Electrolux adds that the headquarters extension features "a rooftop garden with biodiversity, cultivation plots and more", demonstrating how vertical surfaces can deliver multiple environmental benefits.

The green roofs provide habitat for urban wildlife, manage stormwater, reduce urban heat island effects and offer residents space to grow food.

The development's commitment to "increased biodiversity with green yards shared by everyone who lives here, farming plots, beekeeping and hydroponic farming" creates opportunities for residents to engage with nature and food production.

Long-term carbon accounting and payback

Greenhouse Sthlm's developers have committed to a significant carbon accountability framework, saying: "We will pay back the CO2 that we cannot avoid when we build the houses and that we cannot avoid when we live, inhabit and work in them."

The development's website adds: "In fact, in the short term, given the CO2 stored in the construction of the houses and in the trees in the yards, the new houses will absorb more CO2 than they cause over several generations."

This long-term perspective reflects growing recognition within the property sector that sustainability commitments must extend beyond construction completion to encompass decades of operational performance.

The willingness to guarantee multi-generational carbon performance represents a significant evolution in developer accountability.

Technology-enabled sustainable living

The apartments incorporate "the most advanced and climate-smart technology for laundry and food"—a natural integration given Electrolux's role as anchor tenant and appliance manufacturer.

This ensures residents have access to energy-efficient appliances from occupation, eliminating the scenario where developers install budget appliances that compromise operational efficiency.

Space-efficient apartment design reduces the per-capita material and energy requirements while maintaining liveability – a critical consideration as urban land values increase.

Amenities aligned with sustainable values

Greenhouse Sthlm will include a restaurant "with a focus on sustainability – in both large and small ways," a fitness and pool facility and a ground-floor café offering concierge services.

These amenities reduce the need for residents to travel outside the neighbourhood for daily services, reinforcing the 15-minute neighbourhood concept.

The development actively welcomes "actors to the neighbourhood who have a strong commitment to driving issues around sustainability and the necessary climate transition".

This tenant curation strategy creates a community of practice where sustainability expertise and commitment are concentrated, potentially accelerating innovation and knowledge sharing.

Global significance

The development's website frames the project's broader significance, saying: "Our cities are growing. More and more people should live in them without increasing the climate footprint.

“Greenhouse Sthlm is a step on the way towards a smarter, more comfortable and sustainable way of living."

As cities worldwide confront the challenge of accommodating growing populations while reducing environmental impact, Greenhouse Sthlm offers evidence that comprehensive sustainable design – spanning materials, energy, biodiversity, community and long-term carbon accounting – can deliver commercially successful, liveable neighbourhoods that actively contribute to climate solutions.