An 11-story office building projected to be built in Porsgrunn, Norway would take sustainability to another level, as it won’t just make use of green techniques, be Passive House certified, or even reach net-zero standards, but will, instead, actually produce more energy than it uses.
With the fitting name of Powerhouse Telemark, the Norwegian office building is being developed by R8 Properties and designed by Snøhetta to be built and completed by February 2019 at a cost of $17 million, Curbed reports.
The building will combine a roof covered in solar panels with a streamlined, well-insulated design and a series of heat exchangers and heat pumps in order to achieve such a high level of energy performance.
The slanted, diamond-shaped building faces south and is being designed with a 60-year lifespan in mind. Over these 60 years, the architects and designers say the project will generate enough power to completely reimburse the energy cost of construction, production, and material transportation.
The Powerhouse Telemark has been in development for the past 15 months and is scheduled to begin construction later in 2017. Once completed, the developers hope the project will be copied and buildings with similar levels of energy performance will begin to pop up in countries around the world.
Rendering courtesy of R8 Properties.
Related Stories
Sustainability | Sep 30, 2020
U.S. Green Building Council, Green Business Certification Inc. expand resilience resources to support the green building industry
LEED and GBCI rating systems drive resilience-enhancing strategies to help businesses and governments mitigate climate risks.
Sustainability | Sep 29, 2020
Heatherwick Studio creates a new concept for San Francisco’s Piers 30-32
The new vision is dubbed The Cove.
Sustainability | Aug 13, 2020
The largest single sloped solar array in the country completes
The installation sits atop Pittsburgh’s Mill 19.
Sustainability | Aug 11, 2020
Sustainability is key for Denver Water’s modernized campus and distribution system
The utility is showcasing a new admin building and a water reuse plan that’s a first for the state.
Sponsored | Voice of the Brand | Jul 2, 2020
Solving the Building Envelope Challenge
Today, solutions for the building envelope need to meet exacting standards on two equally important fronts – long-term performance and enduring aesthetic appeal. In this article, CENTRIA demonstrates how its products meet the standard in two different scenarios – construction of a new hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, and the addition to a popular museum in Pittsburgh.
Sustainability | May 11, 2020
Watch Bjarke Ingels discuss Mars Science City, BIG's prototype Martian city in Dubai
Ingels believes designing for Mars will help us reach sustainability goals on Earth.
Multifamily Housing | May 8, 2020
'Lakehouse' is the first multifamily project in Colorado to receive WELL Precertification
Stantec and Muñoz + Albin are the project's architects.
Sustainability | Apr 28, 2020
Could a virtual 'city-forest' help solve population density challenges?
The project will house 200,000 people.
Sustainability | Apr 16, 2020
This will be the largest Living Building in the world
ZGF Architects is designing the building.
Sustainability | Mar 31, 2020
Passive house standard becoming increasingly popular for multifamily housing development
Residents reap healthier indoor environment, lower utility bills.