The main objectives for the project have been sustainability and flexibility. The site itself has a symbolic value, since UMEVA, being a sewage business, uses the river water. At the same time, the treatment process produces energy for the office. Being environmentally conscious is a central part for LINK arkitektur. Therefore this project, with its sustainable focus, has been an evolving process of design. A significant task was to achieve flexibility in every possible way, where plan layouts and technical solutions were essential parts. To save costs, piles were not used as a foundation. The result of this was extra space in the basement plan, which will be used for staff recreation units as well as meeting places for the citizens of Umeå. The building is designed so it can expand with another floor on the top – a sustainable way of adding space.

In 2009 UMEVA recieved Umeå City Environmental Award.