Powerhouse Telemark
Other Projects by Snøhetta
Powerhouse Telemark
Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway
Project Featured on Feb 26, 2019
Firm
Type
STATUS
Under Construction
YEAR
2019
SIZE
25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft
BUDGET
$10M - 50M
Photos
©Snøhetta
When Powerhouse Telemark is completed in February 2019, it will produce more energy than it consumes. The office building will be located in the Norwegian town of Porsgrunn. “I hope we will be plagiarised and copied, replicated in all seven continents. This building should do wonders in lowering the bar for daring to do both spectacular and environmentally forward buildings, hopefully in a combination”, says Emil Eriksrød, CEO of R8 Property who are behind the project.
Upon completion in early 2019, it will be the first new office building in Norway which produces more energy than it consumes and also the world’s northernmost energy-positive office building. The Powerhouse definition requires that is produces more clean and renewable energy than needed for construction, production and transportation of building materials and operation over a life cycle of 60 years and, if so, disposal.
The building is unique and shaped by its surrounding conditions. “When we optimised the building to harvest solar energy, the result was the characteristic diamond shape”, explains Eriksrød. Solar energy harvesting is the main design driver for the project. Solar cells, heat exchangers and heat pumps will produce electricity and heat for the building. Powerhouse Telemark is a part of the Powerhouse-collaboration dedicated to building energy positive buildings. The collaboration consists of Entra Eiendom, Skanska, Snøhetta, the environmental NGO ZERO, the aluminium profile company Sapa og the consulting firm Asplan Viak.
“Powerhouse Telemark designed by the Powerhouse collaboration will become a landmark. The combination of extreme energy performance and a favorable indoor climate, low environmental impact and robust solutions at commercial terms requires a different approach than in most traditional building projects. Buildings that produce the same or a greater amount of energy than they consume could be an important contribution to reducing global energy consumption – and consequently also greenhouse gas emissions”, says Kim Robert Lisø, Chief Innovation Officer at Skanska and Managing Director of the Powerhouse collaboration.
Powerhouse Telemark is a flexible 11-story building at just over 6,500 square meters and a construction cost of about 17 million USD. Tenants will besides modern office facilities, foyer, gym and canteen have access to a unique viewpoint. The roof terrace on the top floor will be completely open on all sides, just surrounded by green climbing plants.
Upon completion in early 2019, it will be the first new office building in Norway which produces more energy than it consumes and also the world’s northernmost energy-positive office building. The Powerhouse definition requires that is produces more clean and renewable energy than needed for construction, production and transportation of building materials and operation over a life cycle of 60 years and, if so, disposal.
The building is unique and shaped by its surrounding conditions. “When we optimised the building to harvest solar energy, the result was the characteristic diamond shape”, explains Eriksrød. Solar energy harvesting is the main design driver for the project. Solar cells, heat exchangers and heat pumps will produce electricity and heat for the building. Powerhouse Telemark is a part of the Powerhouse-collaboration dedicated to building energy positive buildings. The collaboration consists of Entra Eiendom, Skanska, Snøhetta, the environmental NGO ZERO, the aluminium profile company Sapa og the consulting firm Asplan Viak.
“Powerhouse Telemark designed by the Powerhouse collaboration will become a landmark. The combination of extreme energy performance and a favorable indoor climate, low environmental impact and robust solutions at commercial terms requires a different approach than in most traditional building projects. Buildings that produce the same or a greater amount of energy than they consume could be an important contribution to reducing global energy consumption – and consequently also greenhouse gas emissions”, says Kim Robert Lisø, Chief Innovation Officer at Skanska and Managing Director of the Powerhouse collaboration.
Powerhouse Telemark is a flexible 11-story building at just over 6,500 square meters and a construction cost of about 17 million USD. Tenants will besides modern office facilities, foyer, gym and canteen have access to a unique viewpoint. The roof terrace on the top floor will be completely open on all sides, just surrounded by green climbing plants.