Future-Ready Learning: ABB’s Smart Solutions Drive One of Sweden’s Major New School Projects

Future-Ready Learning: ABB’s Smart Solutions Drive One of Sweden’s Major New School Projects

A milestone in sustainable school infrastructure, Tröinge School, has been built in Falkenberg’s new Tröingedal district as the first school in 40 years to meet the rising demand for educational facilities. From careful material selection to smart building automation, the project demonstrates how sustainable solutions enhance long-term operational efficiency and improve student comfort in schools.

Bravida, a leading provider of end-to-end solutions for electrical systems, heating, plumbing and ventilation, partnered with ABB, to integrate sustainable and intelligent technology into the school. ABB’s KNX system, presence detectors, and bio-circular SAGA™ switch series are at the heart of the project, helping to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and future-proof the school’s infrastructure.

Sustainability isn’t just a priority; it’s built into every decision we make. With smart building automation and sustainable material choices, Tröinge School will operate efficiently for decades to come,” said Andreas Mellstedt, Construction Project Manager at Falkenberg Municipality. “This is the most significant investment in Falkenberg's history, and an incredibly exciting project to be part of.”

  • Andreas Mellstedt, construction project manager at Falkenberg Municipality.
  • SAGA™ with black contrast frames
  • SAGA™ light switches and sockets
  • SAGA™ light switches and sockets
  • SAGA™ socket with USB charging
  • SAGA™ series is available in the color white, specifically RAL 9003, which is a "true white" without yellow tones

Sustainability-driven construction

School buildings are complex environments, requiring both high-performance learning spaces and accessible outdoor areas. Tröinge School will accommodate up to one thousand students aged between 6 and 16 and was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating several features to help reduce environmental impact.

These include facade bricks made with fewer raw materials than traditional bricks and fired using biogas, green roofs for stormwater management, and solar panels on the sports hall that generate 212,000 kWh of electricity annually, covering 47 percent of the school's electricity needs. To further enhance its energy efficiency and smart building capabilities, Tröinge School also features the following solutions from ABB:

  • ABB’s SAGA™ switch series, made using ISCC-certified bio-circular plastics sourced from agriculture and forestry residue and has 80 percent lower Global Warming Potential than fossil-based alternatives
  • Custom SAGA™ black contrast frames for improved accessibility and to comply with national standards for accessibility in public spaces. The black surrounds enhance visibility by creating a clear contrast against the wall, making the switches easier to locate and operate for all users
  • 450 presence detectors from the ABB i-bus® KNX range that automatically switch off the lights in rooms and common areas after a certain period of inactivity helping to reduce energy consumption by up to 30%
  • ABB weather stations, optimizing climate control by adjusting sun shading and ventilation based on real-time conditions
ABB i-bus® KNX presence detectors are intelligent sensors that detect movement and presence in a room to control lighting, heating, ventilation and other functions
ABB i-bus® KNX presence detectors are intelligent sensors that detect movement and presence in a room to control lighting, heating, ventilation and other functions
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SAGA™, a sustainable and cost-effective choice

Falkenberg Municipality set strict sustainability requirements for the school’s construction materials. To meet these goals, Bravida selected ABB’s SAGA™ switches and wall sockets, manufactured at ABB’s factory in Porvoo, Finland – a Mission to Zero™ site powered entirely by renewable energy and equipped with energy-efficient solutions such as heat recovery, solar panels, and smart energy management systems. The SAGA series uses bio-circular plastics sourced from agricultural and forestry by-products, providing a more sustainable alternative without compromising durability.

“It’s often assumed that sustainable solutions come at a premium, but SAGA™ proves otherwise,” said Henrik Borglund, Project Manager at Bravida. “We’ve achieved both sustainability and cost-efficiency, without compromise.”

Raimondo Salandra, Business Line Leader for Home Solutions at ABB, added: “At ABB, we believe smart, sustainable design should benefit both people and the planet. With the SAGA™ range, we bring together energy-efficient, low-impact materials and intuitive features that enhance everyday life. By developing solutions tailored to the needs of students, teachers, and the broader community, we are helping to create more sustainable and inclusive learning environments.” 

In addition, visual contrast was an essential requirement for the Falkenberg Municipality. To meet this need, the SAGA™ switches at Tröinge School were custom made with black contrasting frames, a first for ABB, ensuring enhanced accessibility for all users.

  • Henrik Borglund, Project Manager at Bravida
  • Henrik Borglund (left) and Andreas Mellstedt (right) in Tröinge School's new sports hall

A complex installation, built to last

Bravida played a critical role in Tröinge School’s construction, delivering electrical systems, security, plumbing, and fire alarms – its largest project in Falkenberg to date. Given the size of the school, which includes a commercial kitchen and sports hall, the installation was highly complex, covering high-voltage electricity, control systems, telecommunications, fire alarms and lighting.

“Material selection is key: we need products that are sustainable, easy to assemble, and readily available. ABB met all our requirements,” said Henrik Borglund, Project Manager at Bravida.

With a 70-year lifespan, rigorous Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluations were conducted to minimize its long-term environmental and economic impact.

Creating an inspiring learning environment

Tröinge School will welcome 1,000 students and teachers into a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient learning environment when it opens in the fall semester of 2025. Designed to foster both academic and social development, in addition to classrooms, the school features an innovative sports hall, two dining rooms, a library, and a vibrant indoor square. Every space has been designed with carefully planned color schemes and layouts informed by modern educational research, to support effective learning and engagement.

“Our goal was to create the feel of a small school within a larger one. By blending sustainability, smart automation, and modern design, we’ve aimed to create a school environment that serves both students and the wider community for generations to come,” concluded Andreas Mellstedt.
  • Aerial view of Tröinge School and Tröinge Sports Hall. Photo credits: Falkenberg Municipality
  • Tröinge School rendering by MadeUp and Norconsult
  • Tröinge School rendering by MadeUp and Norconsult

Driving the future of smart, sustainable buildings

With a comprehensive portfolio of technology solutions for smart buildings, ABB is accelerating the transition towards safer, smarter and more sustainable buildings. From installation products and home and building automation solutions, to energy distribution and building management systems, ABB is supporting local trends such as rapid urbanization, energy transition and buildings’ electrification.

Lucy Han, Business Line Leader for Building Automation at ABB concluded: “Tröinge School demonstrates how smart building automation and more sustainable materials can contribute to more efficient, adaptable learning environments that support the needs of growing communities. Projects like this reflect a practical approach to building schools that are ready for the future.” 

   

About Bravida

Bravida is one of the Nordic region's leading providers of end-to-end solutions for electrical systems, heating, ventilation and other technical functions in buildings and facilities. Through well-functioning and resource-efficient properties, the company helps customers in the transition to a more sustainable society. Bravida has 10,000 employees.

About Tröinge School in Falkenberg 

The municipality of Falkenberg has a population of just over 47,000. The construction of Tröinge School marks the municipality's largest investment project to date, with a budget of 484 million SEK / €44 million. The new school is being built on three floors and will have two dining rooms, a spacious schoolyard and a dedicated sports hall designed with a focus on gymnastics.

Construction was completed in May 2025, with the first students arriving at the start of the fall semester in 2025.

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