First building in Hafnarfjörður receives Swan Certification

The first Swan-certified building in Hafnarfjörður

The block of flats at Drangaskarði 11 and Hádegisskarði 20 is the first Swan-certified building in Hafnarfjörður. The Environmental Agency awarded Rentum the first Swan certification in Hafnarfjörður on Friday. Ingimundur says the housing estate, which has now received the certification, sequesters carbon rather than releasing it. No compromises are made on the building's requirements for such certification.

„The requirements are more stringent. We were under strict supervision regarding the materials used in the house. We had to get them all approved and use environmentally friendly materials — not just for the environment but also good for people. So there are no such materials in Swan-certified houses,“ says Ingimundur, who is proud of the result.

Respect for the environment and people

„It's about respect for the environment, sustainability, and the people who work with the materials. Last but not least, for the residents who live in the buildings. This is a quality process. Buildings with the Swan label are better buildings,“ says Ingimundur. „We went further than building regulations require, and I often say that once upon a time, cars didn't have seatbelts. Now they all do. It's the same with environmental certification. I believe that in the future, the entire housebuilding industry will be environmentally certified.“

The Mayor, representatives of Renta and residents of the first Swan-certified house in Hafnarfjörður.

Mayor Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir called in there yesterday and Ingimundur and Adrian showed her the houses. „We are extremely proud of the first Swan-certified houses in Hafnarfjörður. It is great to see that the construction industry has embraced this environmental project and that a 20% discount on plot fees is given when the requirements for environmental certification are met,“ she says. „The result of the municipality's decision and encouragement to build sustainably is now becoming apparent, and I congratulate the father and son.“

Ingimundur said at the certification ceremony that building sustainably was the only option. „And it was definitely an incentive to get the 20% discount on the plot from the City of Hafnarfjörður.“ Now that the certification is complete, Rentur will get 20% of the plot price refunded. „I like to put it the other way around. We're not getting a discount. They're the ones paying a fine, really,“ he says with a smile.

The aim is to ensure good indoor living conditions.

Guðrún Lilja Kristinsdóttir, the manager of the Swan label at the Environmental Agency, formally presented the certification to the father and son on Friday and celebrated with them. „The aim of Swan-certified buildings is to ensure a good indoor environment for people,“ she says. „We look at three pillars: the environment, ensuring good health, and it's also a mark of quality.“ Guðrún Lilja says people tend to disconnect themselves from nature. However, environmental issues and health are linked. „What is bad for the environment is also bad for us.“

The Environmental Agency reports on its website that Rentur was among the first applicants in the country to initiate the Swan Certification process under the new-build criteria. They built with a sense of purpose. A strong emphasis was placed on working with environmentally friendly solutions, such as the reuse of building materials. Furthermore, soil from the foundations of the houses was used on the neighbouring plot. Skeletons were constructed and filled with stone from the site. A strong emphasis was placed on making the most of the building materials, and the CLT units were designed with this in mind so that there would be little to no offcuts and fixings would be minimised. Offcuts from the building's cladding were used to create a fire stair between floors, and the list goes on.

Good air in Swan-certified apartments

Ingimundur is proud of the buildings. He shows the air exchange system in the flat. „This isn't an air-conditioning system, but an air exchange system.“ Air is both pumped out of and into the flat. This means the air in the flat is always fresh. In fact, there's no need to open the windows. „People who get to know this system want nothing else after that,“ he says. „These are the lungs of the flat.“ The air is heated on its way into the flat, which maintains the ideal temperature in the property while always providing fresh air.

In 2019, the Hafnarfjörður Town Council approved measures to encourage housebuilders to prioritise the environment. It was also agreed that the discount on the plot price for a Swan-certified house would be 20%.

Hafnfirðingar and Rentur: Heartfelt congratulations on this milestone victory!