Energy Positive Building
It is I suppose becoming obvious that one of my sensibilities toward sustainability resides in an interest with restoration, adaptation and reuse. In my most recent posts, (With Age Comes Wisdom 20 May 2014, Declining Detroit 13 May 2014, Revisiting ‘Green’ Architecture 11 May 2014), I have investigated some of the issues of retaining old structures, as well as the virtues and energy savings in doing so. But today I have found further evidence to support this case. Nordic architectural firm, Snohetta has arguably moved to the forefront of sustainable development, having now completed the renovations “to transform an ordinary office building into a building that produces more energy than it consumes.” (Powerhouse, 2014).
The world's first office building which generates more electricity than it consumes?
The potential for energy consumption to become independent of existing systems. (Snohetta, 2014).
The offices, known as Powerhouse Kjorbo involved the refurbishment of the 5000 sqm, 1980s structure, transforming its annual consumption from 250 kWh/sqm into a solar hub with energy gains of up to 200,000 kWh per year. (DesignBoom, 2014). Indeed it has been argued that in Norway, where total annual office building energy consumption stands at almost 6 TWh, that is, 1,000,000,000 kWh of electricity, if all office buildings were renovated to become energy-neutral or energy-positive, it would free up enough electricity to power 300,000 households. (Powerhouse, 2014).
Installation of Solar Panels along the roof structure, the introduction of skylights and new insulation will all contribute to improving the 1980s structure's energy performance. (Snohetta, 2014).
Despite its aluminium frame windows, the building's horizontal timber frames are tightly organised and insulated to prevent heat-loss, combining energy efficiency with a horizontal aesthetic. (Snohetta, 2014).
Aside from the installation of panels, renewal of the pre-existing timber framed windows has made all external surfaces more “tight-fitting and well insulated”, along with “sun shading and internal solutions”, meaning that energy use has also been reduced. (Snohetta, 2014). It is however here necessary for me to point out that at the same time, the structure has made use of large amounts of aluminium profiles, but it has been countered by the developer that “even when you take into account their complete life cycle, including all the energy used to produce building materials, the buildings will still be energy positive [over time].” (Powerhouse, 2014). While it may be said that there are slightly questionable ecological credentials, given the chemicals involved in aluminium production, its energy benefits do, I suppose, have some potential for offsetting its negative side-effects.
Thin blades along the walls help create diffused light while also generating a new vertical aesthetic. The spiral staircase and new internal atrium not only improves circulation but also permits internal ventilation and the creation of an energy-well between each floor of the building. (Snohetta, 2014).
Internally, their attempts at improving the existing building’s energy efficiency is to be commended, introducing energy wells to encourage internal ventilation and improving the insulating properties of walls and roofs in this cold Scandinavian nation. (Cohen, 2014). Contrary to the belief that sustainable solutions are not aesthetically pleasing, the newly renovated interiors of Snohetta’s office building emphasises the pre-existing horizontality of the timber aesthetic, altering it into an emphasis on vertical blades internally to provide diffused lighting.
For me, I see these seemingly obviously logical changes as representative of an architectural innovation towards decentralisation, allowing our buildings to become independent and self-sufficient. It also means that architects can become active experimentalists, possibly developing better and more energy efficient systems rather than simply ‘plugging into’ pre-existing systems. I therefore sincerely hope that Snohetta’s work can become a shining exemplary model for architects to adopt, challenging the existing status quo of inefficient offices, combining new approaches with a desire for preservation and renovation.
References
Powerhouse. “Powerhouse Kjorbo”. (2014). Retrieved 18 May 2014 from:
http://www.powerhouse.no/en/prosjekter/kjorbo/
iandra Cohen. “The New Holy Grail: Inside the World's First Energy Positive Building”. (15 May 2014). Retrieved 18 May 2014 from: http://architizer.com/blog/the-new-holy-grail-inside-the-worlds-first-energy-positive-building/
Designboom. “Snohetta Renovates Powerhouse Kjorbo Office Building in Norway”. (13 May 2014). Retrieved 18 May 2014 from: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/snohetta-powerhouse-kjorbo-office-baerum-norway-05-13-2014/
Snohetta. “Powerhouse Kjorbo”. (2014). Retrieved 18 May 2014 from:
http://snohetta.com/project/40-powerhouse-kjorbo