Snøhetta has revealed its design for Svart, the world’s first energy positive hotel. Located at the foot of the Svartisen glacier in northern Norway, the property will be designed to consume 85 percent less energy than the average modern hotel. It is slated to debut in 2021.
Regional design vernacular will inform Svart’s composition, which will include a palette of sustainable materials such as wood and cladding. Based on extensive solar radiation mapping, the hotel’s circular shape will maximize sun exposure to harness as much solar energy as possible through rooftop solar panels. The locally crafted panels will be made using hydro energy to further reduce the hotel’s footprint. The circular hotel will also be elevated out of the water just beyond the shore by weather-resistant wooden poles that reference the design of rorbuer, or elevated seasonal fishing houses. A platform will run through the support poles to serve as an outdoor promenade in the summer, while providing storage for boats and kayaks during the winter.
Secluded terraces will adorn the Svart façade to provide privacy and protect against insolation from the sun during warmer months, thus eliminating the need for artificial cooling. Large windows will allow for ample sun exposure in the winter when the sun is low, while also framing panoramic views of the fjord to immerse visitors in the natural surroundings.
