Researcher from Linnaeus University awarded this year’s grant from the Einar Mattsson Foundation
Migena Sula, a doctoral student at the Department of Built Environment and Energy Technology, has been awarded this year’s research grant from the Einar Mattsson Foundation for Building and Real Estate Research. Her project, RE:Hus – Adaptable Housing for Long-Term Use and Climate Neutrality, explores how existing Swedish single-family homes can be transformed in a more sustainable and space-efficient way.
"I’m very happy and grateful for the grant. It allows me to deepen my research into the single-family home not only as an energy system, but also as a spatial, social, and cultural structure,” says Migena Sula.
Better use of existing homes
In the project, she will investigate adaptations such as dividing larger houses into smaller units, introducing flexible layouts and shared spaces, or adding a small supplementary dwelling on the property to accommodate more households. The idea is that these types of spatial transformations enable better use of existing homes and plots without the need for new land development.
"We need to rethink what a home can be. My project explores how architectural redesign of existing houses can be part of the solution to both the climate and housing crises,” says Migena Sula.
Clear potential for practical implementation
Migena Sula’s project was one of two selected from 58 national applications. The jury’s motivation states:
The study RE:Hus highlights the hidden potential for more flexible use of Sweden’s stock of single-family homes, while ensuring a strong user perspective with clear potential for practical implementation.
The Einar Mattsson Foundation for Building and Real Estate Research supports researchers and practitioners in architecture, building design, and related fields. The foundation is managed by the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design.
Photo: Sima Korenivski