Arctic Energy Neutral Hotel Set for Construction
MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018
Architecture design firm Snohetta (Oslo, Norway) recently released plans for an energy-positive hotel in the Arctic Circle, a ring-shaped structure that consumes 85 percent less energy than other contemporary hotels.
The project—named Svart Hotel, taking its name from the nearby Svartisen glacier—will have solar panels to produce energy, which is a must in such an environment, according to the architects.
Energy-Positive Hotel
Working in collaboration with Arctic Adventures of Norway, engineering and architecture consultants Asplan Viak and construction group Skanska, Snohetta kicked off research for the project with a focus on the use of renewable energy, in order to minimize the impact of the structure on the environment.
"Building in such a precious environment comes with clear obligations in terms of preserving the natural beauty and the fauna and flora of the site," said Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Snohetta's founding parter.
"It was important for us to design a sustainable building that will leave a minimal environmental footprint on this beautiful northern nature."
Ultimately, after mapping the movement of the sun’s rays, the architects decided that a ring-shaped structure topped with solar panels would capture the most light throughout a variety of seasons and weather conditions. (These solar panels were produced with clean hydro energy, reducing their carbon footprint even further, according to designboom.)
The structure’s facade will also feature recessed terraces that shade rooms in the summer, eliminating the need for artificial cooling systems. Each of these rooms will also be fronted with a window, which can be used to capture the sun’s thermal energy when it’s colder.
V-shaped wooden poles extending down into the Holandsfjorden fjord hold up the hotel itself, acting as both an homage to rorbues—poles that are used to elevate fisherman houses—and provide a supporting skeleton for a boardwalk that runs underneath the structure. The boardwalk itself can be used as a walkway way during the warmer seasons, and boat storage during the colder.
The hotel’s design also includes geothermal wells that are connected to heat pumps; these are used to heat the building.
Outside of this project, Snohetta also works with Asplan Viak and Skanska in a collaborative group known as Powerhouse, which focuses on creating energy-producing buildings.
Tagged categories: Architecture; Color + Design; Color + Design; Design build; Energy efficiency; Hotels
