976 
As Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta continues making a name for itself around the globe with its modern Scandinavian design, the practice has unveiled a sustainable concept above their home country's Arctic Circle. The world's first "energy positive" hotel, Svart targets a reduction of annual energy consumption by approximately 85 percent compared to a modern hotel, and produces its own energy to boot.
Devised in collaboration with Arctic Adventure of Norway, Asplan Viak and Skanska, the Snøhetta-designed hotel would lie at the foot of the Svartisen glacier that traverses Meløy municipality in northern Norway. The building would reach the standards established by Powerhouse, a partnership between Snøhetta, Entra, Skanska, the ZERO Emission Resource Organization and Asplan Viak. The 'Powerhouse' label is applied to so-called "plus house" projects, which refer to energy-producing buildings, measured across 60 years, that "generate more renewable energy than the total amount of energy that would be required to sustain daily operations and to build, produce materials and demolish the building."
The name "Svart" translates to "black" in Norwegian, recalling the deep blue ice and natural surroundings of Svartisen. Because of the area's rich natural beauty, the design team was challenged with creating a building that left a minimal environmental footprint, with the goal of developing a sustainable tourist destination.
They have conceived a circular body extending from the shoreline near the base of Almlifjellet mountain and into the pristine waters of Holandsfjorden fjord. The circular form of the structure — inspired by the "fiskehjell," a wooden structure for drying fish — affords guests with a panoramic view of the fjord. The "rorbue," a traditional seasonal house used by fishermen, informs the geometry of the hotel's supporting structure, a network of weather-resistant wooden poles erupting out of the water.
Hotel rooms, restaurants and terraces are positioned to harness the sun's energy throughout the day and seasons. The building's roof, clad in solar panels, assists in the reduction of the carbon footprint. The hotel will also utilize geothermal wells connected to heat pumps, thereby further reducing the building's energy consumption.
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.
