Starting at the base of every societal startup. What problem are you trying to solve?

We want to stop the waste that occurs when houses are being torned down because of them being situated on the wrong place. This happend for example when new roads are being built etc. By moving them to a new location instead of demolishing them, human resources in the form of craftmanship is being preserved, as well as 100% of the house.

How are you going to solve this? What is your idea?

Instead of tearing down houses threatened by demolition and destruction, we move them for future generations to enjoy.

What impact do you hope to have?

We want to change the trend of tearing down houses when new ones are being built. We offer a compromise between building new and preserving old houses, often rich with character. Single houses in big cities are being teared down because more living space is needed. By moving the old ones while building new, more homes are being offered to potential buyers.

Focusing more on your team. Who are you? What is your background?

Hanna Engström is law student doing her master degree at Lund University. She has a vast interest in the field of real estate, as well as in business and the legal area. She has had several positions of trust, such as bord member of the law association in Lund and as a board member of the credit institution of Lunds Universitet, Kreditkassan.

Arianna Benigno has a masters degree in computer engineering from Politecnico di Milano, and has 10+ years of experience as a project leader. She has an extensive interest in building preservation, and is responsible for building preservation in Skåne within the national organisation Svenska Byggnadsvårdsföreningen. She is also the chairwoman of Arkitektupproret.

Why did you become societal entrepreneurs? Or really, why do you do what you do?

We are both passionate about old, beautiful houses. Preserving them, as well as newer ones that are threatened by unnecessary demolition, adds and keeps historical and environmental value to our society.

If you had one advice to give to other social entrepreneurs, what would it be? 

If you have an idea, just do it. And remember to make it fun.

If I as a reader want to engage or help you reach your goals of impact. How can I do so? Is there any way to help at this stage?

If you know of buildings that are threatened by demolition, do not hesitate to contact us.

Photo by Amanda Westin.