- Ice Box Challenge

Sweden takes on the Ice Box Challenge: Building for a Sustainable Future

The ICE BOX Challenge is a global initiative that has been organized in over 17 cities worldwide for the past 18 years and aims to raise awareness of sustainable construction and energy efficiency. Now IG Passivhus Sverige brought this challenge to the country where the concept of Passive House started in the 80s – Sweden.

For the first time, students from five Swedish universities will participate in the international ICE BOX Challenge! In this competition, they will design and build the most sustainable and energy-efficient mini-houses.

The competition, which integrates five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, involves storing two one-tonne blocks of ice in a purpose-built mini-house for a month. One of the houses is built according to national energy standards, while the other is a sustainable, energy-efficient and circular house with the lowest possible climate impact. At the end of the competition, which will take place during a ceremony on 6 June 2025, the mini-houses will be opened to measure how much of the ice has melted in each house. The results clearly visualize how different building standards affect energy consumption and sustainability.

I am incredibly proud to lead next year’s Swedish ICE BOX Challenge and excited to see the 10 unique boxes showcased in five different climates across Sweden on National Day, June 6, 2025.