Swedish homebuilder A‑hus has begun construction on a prototype Villa Nolvik in Kungälv, just north of Gothenburg, using walls and roof elements made from recycled paper products — including milk cartons and newspapers — in a bold push toward climate-neutral housing. The build is part of a real-world trial of low-emission techniques developed through A‑hus’s Klivet innovation project, which reduced construction-related climate emissions by 37 per cent in pilot testing.
“For us, it feels obvious to build our new home with the lowest possible climate footprint,” said homeowner Patrik Rucinski, who is building the house with Stina Främst. “It’s exciting to be part of solutions that are at the forefront today and that we believe will become standard in the near future.”
Constructed primarily of wood, the Villa Nolvik relies on timber as its core structural material — a choice A‑hus says was the single most effective factor in cutting emissions. The house also features a paper-based roof and energy-efficient systems, including a water and air heat pump, designed to reduce both operating costs and environmental impact.
“It’s fantastic to see the results from Klivet being applied in a real home,” said Amanda Hansson, marketing manager at A‑hus. “For us, it’s proof that our innovation projects make a difference and drive the industry forward.”
RISE is monitoring the project, Research Institutes of Sweden, which will track how the materials and construction techniques perform over time under everyday living conditions. A‑hus says the goal is not to test novelty for novelty’s sake, but to validate scalable solutions that can be integrated into full production. “Klivet is a very successful innovation project and proof that sustainable building isn’t a future issue — it’s something we can implement here and now,” said Lars Westling, head of A‑hus.
Derome, the parent company, says the Villa Nolvik is part of its long-term strategy to build climate-neutral small houses by 2030. Several techniques from Klivet are already being phased into other homes across A‑hus’s operations, as the builder moves from pilot testing to commercial rollout.
