Connecting Buildings, Comfort and Health in a Warming Climate

On 21 October 2025, Chalmers University of Technology, Karolinska Institutet, and CIT Renergy hosted a full-day seminar in Gothenburg bringing together researchers, authorities, and industry professionals to address the growing challenges of indoor overheating in Sweden.

About the Seminar

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Sweden, posing significant challenges related to overheating in residential buildings, schools, and elderly care facilities. It is well established that morbidity and mortality rates rise substantially during heatwaves. Given that individuals spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, indoor conditions—especially nighttime temperatures— are likely to significantly influence their comfort and health outcomes.

Several research groups are focused on mitigating overheating in buildings through architectural and technological methods, while others are investigating the health implications of heatwaves. However, these two groups rarely engage in the same forums, limiting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. This seminar aimed to bridge that gap by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, with participants from academia, government agencies, and industry.

Key Themes and presentations

The programme was structured around three main themes. The presentations are available via the links below each theme.

Heat and Health

Research on how heat exposure affects vulnerable groups, including older adults and pregnant individuals, as well as links between indoor temperature, sleep, and overall health.

Presentations

Heat related mortality among older adults in Sweden - the influence of tree canopy coverage and building fraction
Jessika Lönn, University of Gothenburg & Christofer Åström, Umeå University

Heat exposure and pregnancy outcomes – An overlooked vulnerability
Jeroen de Bont, Karolinska Institutet

HEATWISE Swede: linking indoor climate, buildings, heat and health
Ashtyn Tracey Areal, Karolinska Institutet

How indoor temperature shapes sleep quality and duration
Johan Ohlander, Karolinska Institutet

Vägledning för ett hälsosamt inomhusklimat [Guidance for Healthy Indoor Climates]
Patrik Hultstrand & Ylva Eriksson, Health Agency of Sweden

Risk of Overheating in Buildings

Insights into overheating risks in residential and non-residential buildings under current and future climate conditions, including regulatory perspectives and modelling challenges.

Presentations

Overheating risks and cooling needs in Swedish residential buildings under future climate conditions
Sana Sayadi, University of Gävle

Observations from a building perspective regarding regulations, building simulations and input data and the impact on indoor comfort from a future warmer climate
Mats Finnson, WSP Sverige

Residential overheating as a multi-scale, interdisciplinary challenge: From people to buildings and beyond
Martine Buser, Chalmers University

Overheating vulnerability of non-residential buildings in northern temperate climates: results from a field study in Ireland
Theofanis Psomas, Munster University of Technology, Ireland

Updated building legislation on thermal comfort addressing future climate
Peter Brander, Boverket

Strategies to Address Overheating

Practical and research-based solutions, ranging from passive cooling and design strategies to energy considerations and experiences from property owners.

Presentations

A review of cooling practices for thermal comfort
Hanna Björner Brauer & Hanna Hasselqvist, RiSE

Passive cooling in schools: Climate adaptation through nanocoating innovation in Uppsala
Jacinto Sa & Angelica Rask, Uppsala University

Thermal comfort and Design guide
Mats Persson, Malmö University

Strategies to overcome overheating in residential and non-residential buildings without active cooling – experiences from property owners within the Bebo/Belok network
Svein Ruud & Per Kempe, RiSE & Mari-Liis Maripuu, CIT Renergy

Strategies and solutions: an energy perspective
Per-Erik Nilsson, coordinator of Energy Agency network BELOK

Outcomes and Highlights

The seminar provided:

• An overview of ongoing interdisciplinary research efforts in Sweden and beyond

• A platform for dialogue between health and building experts

• Insights from key stakeholders such as the Public Health Agency of Sweden, Boverket, and the Swedish Energy Agency

• Identification of knowledge gaps and future research priorities

• Opportunities to strengthen collaboration and develop pathways for climate adaptation in the built environment

• Through presentations and panel discussions, participants explored how to better understand, measure, and mitigate indoor overheating while balancing energy use and environmental impact.

• The organisers aim to build on this momentum to foster a long-term platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives in this field.