The first Net Zero CO₂ certified school building in Sweden

The school was designed and constructed in accordance with the Miljöbyggnad Silver standard and has been awarded a Net Zero CO₂ (NollCO₂) certification, making Källtorp School the first school building in Sweden to achieve this certification. This confirms that the building’s carbon footprint across its life cycle has been minimised and offset in line with recognised standards.

The load-bearing structure is based on glued laminated timber beams, combining structural performance with a reduced environmental impact. Timber is also deliberately highlighted in the interior, where selected wall surfaces are left exposed, creating a warm, calm and natural learning environment that supports modern educational practices and reflects Nordic architectural values.

The roof is equipped with solar panels to support the building’s energy needs, while parts of the roof are covered with a green roof system. The green roof helps retain rainwater, slows stormwater runoff, enhances biodiversity and improves the local microclimate. This solution aligns well with the environmental ambitions of Järfälla Municipality. For safety reasons, a mesh fence has been installed along the roof perimeter, allowing the roof area to be used for supervised educational activities.

The school building has been carefully planned with the comfort and well-being of both students and teachers in mind. It accommodates up to 40 pupils. Classrooms and teachers’ workspaces are located on the ground floor, while the centre of the building features a large open gallery that supports learning activities and serves as a flexible, multifunctional space. Roof windows bring generous amounts of natural daylight into the interior, enhancing the indoor climate and overall quality of the learning environment.

From a construction perspective, Källtorp School differs from many factory-built projects in that its level of factory prefabrication was relatively low, with a significant share of work carried out on site. On-site construction lasted approximately 60 days, during which the glued laminated timber structures as well as the wall and roof elements were installed.

Källtorp School stands out as a strong example of how timber construction, thoughtful design and ambitious climate targets can come together to create a future-ready, high-quality educational building.