By Udita Chaturvedi Photography: Bertil Hertzberg; courtesy Tengbom Architects Student housing is now smarter and cheaper, thanks to Tengbom Architects. Along with Lund University students in Sweden, Tengbom has designed student units of only 10 square meters in collaboration with wood manufacturer Martinsons and real estate company AF Bostäder. The prototype unit, currently exhibited at the Virserum Art Museum in Sweden (until Dec.8, 2013) explores the “possibilities of cross-laminated timber” for a “sustainable, affordable, environment friendly and smart unit; both, in terms of design and choice of materials,” informs Linda Camara, from Tengbom architects. The "truly compact unit" has been innovatively designed and well-thought of from a student’s perspective. It contains a kitchen with shelves and cupboard, a window with shutters that can be pulled down and used as table, a washroom, a living space with a hammock and small wooden steps fixed in the wall that lead to the sleeping loft overhead. Not to forget, a small garden and a patio as well and green interiors "compliment the wood,” says Camara. In 2014, 22 such units will be ready for students to move in. Considering these units are for students, the material used ensures they are easy on the pocket too. While most flats rent out at about 4,000-5,000 SEK (around Rs. 38,600 - 48,280), these ‘smart student units’ will be rented at 2,500 SEK (about Rs. 24,140) for Lund students. Through an efficient layout and use of cross-laminated wood, the rent is reduced by 50% and the ecological impact and carbon footprint is also significantly reduced. The current overwhelming response to these units means an enhanced effort by Tengbom to come up with solutions, especially for the exteriors, to meet different weather conditions if they have to meet their growing world demand. “To meet the future in a sustainable way, we must be innovative and have the courage to break new grounds,” says Camara, adding that she hopes their design will inspire others to think differently. to view images click on globalhop.indiaartndesign.com
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Architecture, Student, Interior Design, Tengbom Architects, house, wood home, Sweden.,
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