Castellum Builds World's First Climate-neutral Police Building

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, June 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Castellum will construct an office building in central Örebro for the Swedish Police Authority. The building will be constructed entirely of wood and certified in compliance with the new Sweden Green Building Councils (SGBC) certification: NollCO2. A primary objective is for the building to have net-zero CO2 emissions throughout its lifetime. The project is calculated to cost approx. MSEK 225 - including acquired building rights of MSEK 15 - and the investment will result in an annual leasing income of MSEK 15.

"It feels really good to win the confidence of the architectural firm, the municipality and our tenants - the Swedish Police - to construct a unique office building that is one of the very first climate-neutral projects to achieve the tough new NollCO2 certification. We're now taking a major step in the right direction to build more climate-smart while we contribute to a more sustainable community," says Henrik Saxborn, CEO at Castellum AB.  

Niclas Hallgren, Deputy Regional Police Chief in Bergslagen, looks forward to the day the new premises become reality:

"The new police station makes us better equipped for the future. Workplace environment will be improved for our staff, and ultimately this will also benefit our fellow citizens. It feels extra great that the new premises will create minimal impact on the environment," says Niclas Hallgren.

The NollCO2 certification has been developed by the Sweden Green Building Council as an enrichment level of Miljöbyggnad, BREEAM, LEED and Svanen to create more sustainable buildings with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions during the building's entire life-cycle. Castellum has participated in SGBC's development activities related to the NollCO2 certification.  

Climate neutrality in the project is primarily achieved by building the core structures in wood instead of the traditional steel and concrete. Utilization of wood means that emissions will be 40% lower compared with traditional construction. A further solution for achieving climate neutrality will be to install sun panels on the roof, in line with Castellum's sun-panel program, "100% on solar". In addition to providing the building's energy requirements, excess energy can be utilized by the community.