In a time of global uncertainty and rising cost, the need for well-functioning and cost-efficient campuses has become all the more clear. This characterised Akademiska Hus’s work in 2025 to improve conditions for Swedish higher education institutions. During the year, in close collaboration with these education institutions, we continued to develop campuses as centres of education, research and collaboration. By investing in, and adapting and transforming existing buildings, we have enhanced both the quality of our environments and the efficiency of how they are used.
Smarter use of premises - a strategic key
One of the key issues this year was to help higher educational institutions use their premises more efficiently. Smarter use of premises is a win-win since it results in lower climate impact and more attractive campuses, while at the same time we can ensure long-term relevance and optimise the cost of premises for the educational institutions.
Based on a long-term initiative in data-driven analysis, with around 40,000 sensors installed on our campuses, we have improved our understanding of how the premises are actually used. Analyses of sensor data provide a better foundation for making decisions in the planning of premises, and the analyses demonstrate that there is generally significant potential for using the premises more efficiently. Our role is to be an active and long-term partner of the centres of education for these crucial efforts.
New opportunities are created when premises are vacated or converted. The Solna Campus is a prime example, where vacated areas have over time contributed to the growth of a robust life-science cluster, with Karolinska Institutet as a hub.
Long-term investments in planned maintence
In parallel with this development, we invested significantly in 2025 on the maintenance and redevelopment of existing properties. At a time when consideration of both the climate and of costs are high on the agenda, it is becoming all the more apparent that the most sustainable investments are often based on making use of what we already have.
By intensifying our focus on planned maintenance and technical upgrades, we are strengthening the properties’ functions, service lives and value over time. This results in a more robust core deliverable for our customers while reducing the need for new construction. For the educational institutions, this means safe, well-functioning environments that can be adapted to changing needs.
Sustainability in several dimensions
We are continually investing in sustainable campus environments, more student and researcher housing and measures that strengthen biodiversity, energy efficiency and circularity. Overall, the year was characterised by a continued focus on making better use of existing resources and developing campuses according to actual needs.
As a long-term property owner, we are responsible for managing and developing culturally and historically valuable campus environments that with careful maintenance and adaptation make it possible to combine historical values with modern requirements for function and accessibility. During the year, several culturally historical buildings were transformed through renovation and restoration. One example is the university library in Lund, which has undergone extensive renovation with the buildings’ unique cultural values carefully preserved at the same time as we have created a modern, accessible and functional library and study environment.
Caroline Arehult, CEO