In addition to the 1,000 employees, nearly 200 visitors are expected every day. Therefore, the placement of Hubhult is optimal with close proximity to a modern IKEA store, 20 minutes to an international airport, and only an hour from Älmhult, which is the heart of IKEA and the centre of the IKEA home furnishing expertise.

Staffan Lindquist, CEO, IKEA Services AB commented:

“To create a sustainable meeting place for the future is as much about the building as our approach to working.”

Some of the benefits to come out of the project are the following:

• Energy needs met by onsite PV and 3 newly created wind farms, built to supply electricity for all of the IKEA’s operations across Sweden. Predicted energy use 72% better than that required by Swedish building regulations.
• High emphasis placed on employee health. Lighting, shading, thermal comfort and acoustics optimised for occupiers. CO2 sensors adjust air flows.
• 10 water meters, low-flow showerheads saves 249,832 litres of water per year, native landscaping selected to thrive on natural rainfall.
• Structural building 100% responsibly sourced, wood products 100% FSC-certified. 99.9% of insulation achieved highest Green Guide rating, A or A+. Almost 50% of walls, windows and ceilings achieved Green Guide A or A+.
• 12x increase in plant species compared to before construction, 2820 m2 of green roofing. 
• Parking for 150 bicycles, 12 electric car recharging stations, 100% credits achieved.
• Food waste is collected and sent to a facility to generate biogas, saving 12,600 kg of CO2 emissions per year. It is used, for example, to power local and regional buses.
• Early involvement with the design team and contractor led to increased dialogue amongst the project team and greater awareness of environmental issues during the construction process.
• Heating system consists of an aquifer layer combined with a heat pump. Electricity demand is met by 100% renewable energy, therefore with no associated NOx or CO2 emissions.