Scandinavian super project: solar-powered hotel in Arctic climate

Snøhetta has announced plans to build a Svart hotel in Norway. It will be located beyond the Arctic Circle and, as expected, in 60 years of operation, it will be able to produce more energy than will be required for its construction, operation and demolition.

Source: Design Boom

An unusual Swart hotel will appear near the Svartisen glacier in northern Norway. This word meaning "black" or "blue" is used when describing the deep color of ice compared to bright white snow.

The hotel building has the shape of a ring, which opens a panoramic view of the mountains and fjords. It fits perfectly into the landscape, without disturbing the natural beauty and even complementing it. Architects from the Snøhetta bureau took into account the experience of building traditional Norwegian fishing houses on stilts fiskehjell and rorbu. Thanks to this, the hotel has minimal impact on the soil and the environment, and tourists get the opportunity to go boating directly under the building.

The project is also designed to prove that energy-intensive buildings can be erected in the harshest climate. The state-of-the-art materials from which Swart will be created make it possible to reduce annual energy consumption by 85% compared to conventional hotels. The remaining 15% will be generated by the hotel itself.

While working on the project, the specialists studied the conditions for a year, including calculating the amount of reflection of sunlight. Thanks to this, the design of solar panels capable of generating electricity most efficiently was developed. The architects emphasize that the long summer white nights allow you to accumulate even more energy than it happens in the south. In addition, geothermal pumps will be engaged in energy production.

The hotel has become part of the Powerhouse program, which several Norwegian companies are working on. To meet this standard, a building must compensate for all the energy used during its construction, operation and waste disposal over 60 years.

The Norwegian architectural company Snøhetta, working on the project of the Svart hotel, is also developing the project of Europe's first underwater restaurant.

The opening of an unusual catering establishment, which will also be located on the territory of Norway, is scheduled for 2019.