On 14 August, just before the autumn rush kicked off, SEK Svensk Elstandard moved its office to the new address Englundavägen 7 in Solna Business Park, after almost 40 years in Kista. This move was preceded by an extensive and exciting renovation, with the aim of creating a modern, flexible and sustainable working environment for the company’s staff.

In conjunction with the move, SEK defined requirements for the office and training facilities, stating that they had to be built in the most sustainable way possible. The focus was therefore on reuse and products with a high proportion of recycled materials. For example, some of the interior walls were built with Recoma wall panels, which are made from 100% recycled material. The solution resulted in a reduction in CO2 emissions of over 85% compared to traditional alternatives. Wood Tube cardboard struts have also been used, which further emphasises the commitment to the circular economy; they are fully recyclable.

To ensure that the new office environment is not only sustainable but also of high quality, rigorous sound measurements were carried out, with very favourable results. One of the most significant sustainability initiatives of the project was the reuse of existing cooling pipes and baffles. Instead of disposing of these components, as is often done during relocations, they were reused, which resulted in a saving of 12,000 kg of CO2. This underlines SEK’s commitment to minimising its climate footprint.

Examples of what has been reused in the new office environment include:

• Acoustic tiles: 845 sqm
• Door panels: 67 pieces
• Textile carpeting: 375 sqm
• Glass partitions: 74 sqm
• Fire alarm system
• Ventilation ducts and cooling baffles from Farao 15

With this relocation and renovation, SEK Svensk Elstandard shows that it is possible to combine a modern working environment with a strong sustainability profile.