Ever noticed this shimmering glass giant? That’s Kungsbrohuset. It’s not just another office building. It’s a marvel of modern architecture and sustainable design nestled between Kungsbron and Klarabergsviadukten.
Kungsbrohuset opened its doors on May 6 2010. Principal architect Kerstin Heijde of Strategisk Arkitektur envisioned something special. She didn’t just want a pretty building. She wanted a sustainable icon.
This wasn’t just about aesthetics. Kungsbrohuset boasts a double-walled facade. The outer wall is all glass. The inner wall is 60 percent glass. This unique design creates a gap. This gap acts as a super-efficient insulator. It’s like having quintuple glazing. This drastically reduces energy loss.
Kungsbrohuset cleverly uses its surroundings too. It harvests waste heat from Stockholm Central Station. This covers 5 to 10 percent of its heating needs. The building also uses water from the Klara Sj to cool itself. The goal was ambitious. Kungsbrohuset aimed for 60 kWh/sqm/yr energy consumption. That’s half the national standard.
Inside Kungsbrohuset you’ll find Schibsted’s Swedish operations. Aftonbladet and Svenska Dagbladet have their offices here. So do Blocket.se Hitta.se and Tasteline. Jernhusen the developers also have their headquarters here. There are shops restaurants and even a hotel.
Kungsbrohuset didn’t just aim for efficiency. It aimed for recognition. It was nominated for Stockholm Build 2010. It finished second just nine votes behind Ericsson Kista. Kungsbrohuset was also one of the first buildings in Sweden to achieve triple environmental certification. It’s a testament to smart design and sustainable practices.
So next time you see Kungsbrohuset remember its story. It’s more than just a building. It’s a symbol of innovation sustainability and Stockholm’s commitment to a greener future.