Snøhetta's Vertikal Nydalen building maintains comfortable temperatures year-round thanks to innovative design solutions.
Energy-Efficient Skyscraper Completed in Norway
Architectural firm Snøhetta recently completed an energy-efficient high-rise in Norway. The building combines clever design with sustainable features, allowing it to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round without relying on energy from the grid, New Atlas reported on May 16.
Unique Design and Sustainable Features
Located next to a river in Oslo, Norway, Vertikal Nydalen is an asymmetrical building consisting of two linked towers, carefully positioned to preserve neighborhood views and avoid overshadowing a nearby plaza. The exterior features pinewood cladding that will gradually turn from brown to gray over time, while protruding steel balconies contrast with the warm wood tone. The interior includes a ground-floor restaurant, office space above, and 40 apartments on the top floors.
Zero Energy Consumption
According to Snøhetta, the skyscraper uses zero energy from the grid for heating, cooling, or indoor ventilation. Instead, the design firm employs a "three-zero solution" to maintain comfortable temperatures.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling:
- Geothermal wells drilled deep underground circulate water through the building's clay and concrete walls for heating or cooling as needed.
- Rooftop photovoltaic panels power heat pumps within the heating and cooling system.
Natural Ventilation:
- Large windows throughout the building maximize natural light.
- The building is passively ventilated without fans, with large air vents opening automatically as needed.
- Angled walls are designed to aid in ventilation.
"As traditional ventilation systems in office buildings often require suspended ceilings that are more than a meter deep, this ductless, fanless natural solution saves space. This allows for higher ceilings and more daylight, increasing the qualities of the room," said Snøhetta. The angled facade creates pressure differences, allowing air to flow through the building. Air enters through automatically opening and closing valves in the facade. When two windows are open on opposite sides of the building, the pressure difference forces air to move through the interior space.
Real-Time Monitoring and Optimization
Vertikal Nydalen is also equipped with numerous sensors to track the building's real-time performance and gather data for optimizing energy use. Desks in the office areas have QR codes that can be scanned with smartphones, providing access to an online form where occupants can provide feedback on their comfort and the building experience.
Prior to Vertikal Nydalen, Snøhetta gained experience in sustainable design with projects such as the ZEB Pilot House and Powerhouse Brattørkaia.
Summary
Snøhetta's Vertikal Nydalen building is a groundbreaking example of sustainable architecture. By combining passive design solutions with renewable energy sources, the building maintains comfortable temperatures year-round while minimizing its energy consumption. The project demonstrates the firm's commitment to creating sustainable and efficient buildings for the future.