Arlevagen is a Charming Low-Energy, Green-Roofed Housing Development in Sweden

<a href="http://www.helhetshus.se/floda_start.html" target="_blank">Arlevagen</a> is a charming residential development of 8 houses located on a hillside above a lake in Floda, 25 kilometers northeast of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/swedish-super-city-envisions-gothenburg-as-ecotopia/">Gothenburg, Sweden</a>. Surrounded by large old oak trees, these homes are built for low energy consumption, affordability, and sustainability. Each home is topped with a sedum <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roof/">green roof</a> and enjoys ample daylight and views down to the lake. Designed by <a href="http://helhetshus.se/" target="_blank">Helhetshus</a>, Arlevagen is the firm's first self-developed housing project.

<a href="http://www.helhetshus.se/floda_start.html" target="_blank">Arlevagen</a> is a development of 8 houses located on a hillside in Floda with beautiful views of lake Sävelången.

<a href="http://helhetshus.se/" target="_blank">Helhetshus</a> designed the development in order to offer affordable, energy-efficient, modern homes.

Each lot is oriented to the east and west, and each home is placed to the northernmost edge to provide a large south-facing yard.

The homes sit half on the ground and half stilted on the hill, which creates dramatic volumes inside.

The living areas stick out over the hillside to take in views of the lake.

A low-maintenance <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/sedum-roof/">sedum roof</a> tops off each house to provide extra insulation and water infiltration.

A car port and storage building sit on the north side of each house connected by shared roofs that create protected decks at the main entrances.

The homes are roughly shaped like boomerangs and are angled towards the south to capture sunlight.

The protected main entrance.

The houses come in 4 different sizes: 127 square meter or 141 square meter ground floor area, with or without a loft of 45 square meters.

Inside, the private rooms and bathrooms are situated on the west side, and the public spaces (laundry, kitchen, dining and living room) are on the east.

A central staircase leads up to the lofts, which overlook the living area.

The interiors are flooded with lots of natural light, and the bright walls and floors reflect that light throughout the house.