International architectural office Snøhetta is one of seven companies behind the newly opened ‘Powerhouse Kjørbo‘, an office which they claim is the first building in the world to be renovated into an energy-positive structure.
Prior to the renovations, the two 2,600 square metre buildings, located just outside Oslo, consumed 65,0000 kWh of energy per year.
Following the refurbishment, the energy requirements of the buildings are expected to reduce to around 100,000 kWh per year.
The Powerhouse will in turn be capable of producing over 200,000 kWh annually thanks to an array of solar panels, with any excess energy being supplied to the power grid.
Heat loss will be minimized through the use of secured and insulated ceilings and windows, while exterior sun shading and exposed concrete decks will help reduce the building’s temperature in summer.
Joining Snøhetta on the scheme are consultants Asplan Viak, property management firm Entra, construction company Skanska, aluminum companies Hydro and Sapa and the environmental organization ZERO.
The design team believes that the project is completely unprecedented, with no record of a typical office building being converted to generate more power than it consumes.
Courtesy Gizmag and Powerhouse
