Hässelby Strands Kyrka
SwedenSmart, Seamless Lighting for a Historic Stockholm Church
Between mid-2023 and late 2024, Hässelby Strands Kyrka (a Church located in Maltesholmstorget in western Stockholm’s Hässelby Strand district) underwent a significant renovation to modernise its facilities, improve accessibility, and align with the Church’s goals to save energy.
Helvar delivered a tailored lighting control solution that met strict sustainability targets, navigated technical constraints, and kept the project moving on a tight schedule, all while preserving the character of this historic space.
The Challenge
As part of Sweden’s drive toward net-zero emissions, Hässelby Strands Kyrka aimed to cut energy use throughout the building, not just by installing solar panels, but by upgrading to smarter, more efficient lighting.
But the path to efficiency wasn’t straightforward. The main congregation hall features a distinctive concrete ceiling that couldn’t be altered, ruling out new cabling. Any solution had to work with the existing infrastructure. On top of that, the renovation had to stay on schedule, so the system needed to be quick to install and minimally disruptive.
A Hybrid System That Fits the Space
Thanks to early engagement with the specifier, Helvar was able to design a solution that addressed every aspect of the brief.
In the main hall, existing luminaires were upgraded to LED using Helvar Freedom drivers and Node Sense modules. This clever combination enabled reuse of the existing 3-core power cables, eliminating the need for new wiring and helping to preserve the ceiling’s clean aesthetic.
These luminaires were paired with Helvar ActiveAhead which continuously adapts to how the space is used, optimising light levels and saving energy with no manual programming required.
For all other areas of the church, Helvar 950 application controllers provided reliable, scalable control across a variety of spaces. Helvar’s Node Link was added to ensure smooth communication between the lighting system and the church’s fire alarm, maintaining high safety standards.
Modern Control. Minimal Disruption.
Helvar’s hybrid solution allowed the church to meet its energy goals, avoid invasive construction, and stay on schedule, delivering an intuitive lighting experience that supports everything from quiet reflection to community events.
“This project is a clear example of how ActiveAhead and Node Link make even complex renovations possible – combining flexibility, speed, and long-term efficiency in one smart package. Helvar are proud to play a part in bringing modern technology to such a meaningful space”, says Kristoffer Carpelan, Head of Sales, Helvar Sweden
Sweden
