This paper presents energy and environmental performance analyses, a study of summer indoor temperatures and occupant behavior for an eight story apartment building, with the goal to combine high energy efficiency with low environmental impact, at a reasonable cost. Southern Portvakten building is built with prefabricated timber elements using passive house principles in the North European climate. Energy performance was analyzed through parametric studies, as well as monitored energy data, and complemented with analysis of occupant behavior during one year. Results show that airtight, low-energy apartment buildings can be successfully built with prefabricated timber elements in a cold climate. The monitored total energy use was 47.6 kWh/m², excluding household electricity (revised to a normal year), which is considerably lower than of a standard building built today in Sweden—90 kWh/m². However, the occupancy level was low during the analyzed year, which affects the energy use compared to if the building had been fully occupied. Environmental analysis shows that the future challenges lie in lowering the household and common electricity use, as well as in improving the choices of materials. More focus should also lie on improving occupant behavior and finding smart solar shading solutions for apartment buildings.

Purpose: To explore the emotional and social burden of congenital aniridia in patients and caregivers through narrative medicine. Methods: Patients with congenital aniridia and their caregivers were enrolled in a multicentric observational study. Sociodemographic data and personal narratives were collected through interviews or written accounts. A qualitative analysis was conducted and overarching themes identified. Results: A total of 57 narratives were collected (31 patients, 27 caregivers). Participants reported visiting an average of 5.1 ± 5.9 healthcare facilities over their lifetime. Aniridia impacted work or school life in 39% of patients and 58% of caregivers. Most narratives focused on the lived experience of illness (95% patients, 81% caregivers) or on social perception (48% and 46%), rather than on clinical aspects (10% and 23%). Adaptation to the disease was mainly stable or progressive among adults. Emerging themes included independence, feeling misunderstood, and bullying. Caregivers emphasized the lack of specialized centers, standardized protocols, adequately trained professionals, psychological and practical support, and the lack of humanity among doctors. Conclusions: Congenital aniridia leads to progressive visual impairment with significant emotional and social consequences. Narrative medicine offers valuable insight into patients’ and caregivers’ lived experiences, highlighting unmet needs and concerns often overlooked in conventional clinical practice.