HSB is giving away an entire rental apartment building in Gothenburg, according to multiple reports. The building is given away on the condition that someone dismantles and removes it, as reported by major media. The building is HSB Living Lab on Johanneberg, according to major media.
HSB Living Lab has been both a rental apartment building and a research lab for over ten years, as reported by major media. It contains 29 apartments, common areas, and around 2,000 sensors measuring tenants' daily lives, from sleep to refrigerator habits, according to major media. This sensor-equipped structure was designed to study sustainable living, but its future is now uncertain due to a temporary building permit.
According to major media, the building permit is temporary, and Chalmers University of Technology plans to expand, so the building must be removed by 2027 at the latest, necessitating the unusual giveaway. HSB wants to give away the modular building, complete with kitchen, bathroom, electricity, ventilation, and plumbing, to someone who can dismantle and transport it in about 44 truckloads, according to major media. According to major media, the building could become anything from student housing to a holiday village, offering flexibility for reuse in various settings.
If no one takes the building, it will go to recycling in circular construction projects, according to major media. The exact location or address of the building remains unspecified, and the estimated cost or value has not been disclosed. It is unclear what specific requirements or qualifications exist for potential takers, and how many parties have expressed interest so far is unknown.
The timeline for the removal process beyond the 2027 deadline has not been detailed, leaving uncertainties about the practical steps involved. This initiative reflects broader trends in sustainable construction, where modular designs aim to reduce waste, but the success of such giveaways depends on finding willing and capable recipients. The building's modular nature allows for easier disassembly and relocation, potentially minimizing environmental impact compared to traditional demolition.
HSB's approach aligns with circular economy principles, promoting reuse over disposal, though challenges in logistics and cost may arise for interested parties.