Greensole and Adidas India launch new drive to donate upcycled footwear
by Jincy IypeDec 16, 2019
by STIRworld Published on : Sep 06, 2019
International architecture and design firm Snøhetta recently completed Powerhouse Brattørkaia in Trondheim, Norway - the world’s northernmost energy-positive building. The project brings forth a new standard for the construction of the buildings of tomorrow by producing more energy than it consumes.
The 18,000 sqm powerhouse sits by the Trondheim Fjord where its façade, clad in black aluminium, renders beautiful reflections in the harbour. It houses office spaces for a diversity of commercial tenants, including construction and shipping firms, along with a space for public programmes.
As sunlight varies greatly between seasons in the city, the site has been carefully chosen to ensure maximum exposure to the sun. A skewed, pentagonal roof and the upper section of the façade clad in 3000 sqm of solar panels harvest as much solar energy as possible, while ample space for energy storage designed within the building footprint caters to winter months when daylight is at a minimum.
The building’s sloping roof reveals a cut-out in the centre of its plan that allows daylight to flow into the various office spaces. Within this illuminated core is an atrium that functions as a public garden with horizontal glass windows on its sides. This skewed lightwell controls the amount of artificial lighting that is used inside the building while creating a comfortable and naturally lit working environment.
The mantra of the design industry should not be ‘form follows function’ but ‘form follows environment’. This means that the design thinking of today should focus on environmental considerations and reducing our footprint first, and have the design follow this premise. –Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Founder, Snøhetta
The building leverages a series of technologies to radically reduce energy use for its daily operations. This is accomplished through insulating the building for maximum efficiency and installing solutions for air flow to reduce the need for heating. Taken together, the various strategies allow Powerhouse Brattørkaia to consume only about half the amount of energy for lighting than a typical commercial office building of a comparable size would.
A visitor centre and a cafeteria on the ground floor open to the people of Trondheim as an educational resource to disseminates knowledge on sustainable building strategies for the future.
The buildings we inhabit and spend most of our lives in need to be built with as much consideration for natural preservation and energy efficiency as for the comfort of the people inside them. As the world’s northernmost energy-positive building, Powerhouse Brattørkaia has set a benchmark for responsibly constructing homes and office spaces for the future.
Name of the project: Powerhouse Brattørkaia
Location: Trondheim, Norway
Client: Entra ASA
Gross area: 17, 800 sqm
Architect: Snøhetta
Collaborators: Entra, Skanksha, ZERO, Snøhetta and Asplan Viak
by Anmol Ahuja Jan 25, 2021
The Detroit Institute of Arts’ latest exhibition highlights Detroit’s 70-year history as the hub of American automotive design.
by Jincy Iype Jan 25, 2021
With a skin made of bio materials, Biohacker’s Residence is a proposed secluded retreat for biohackers to self-administer and practice experimental, gene-editing activities.
by Anmol Ahuja Jan 21, 2021
Designed by Italian designer and visualiser Pierpaolo Lazzarini, the ‘Pagurus’ is the latest in a series of nature inspired yacht concepts developed by the studio.
by Jincy Iype Jan 16, 2021
Sashimi on a cloud and a coronavirus-shaped convict ball chain – Navarro believes that his amusing, manipulated graphics shouldn’t be taken too seriously – or maybe they should?
get regular updates SIGN UP
Don't have an account?
Sign UpAlready signed up?
LoginPlease select your profession for an enhanced experience.
Tap on things that interests you.
Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch
Please enter your details and click submit.
Comments