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Powerhouse Kjørbo

The ambitious goal for the Powerhouse project, designed by Snøhetta, was to develop and construct buildings that produce more energy than they consume over the course of their lifetime.

Kjørbo is situated by the seafront in Sandvika in Bærum municipality outside of Oslo, Norway.

The two renovated buildings were originally built in 1980 and each cover approximately 2,600 sqm. Together they had an energy consumption of 250kWh per square meter annually.

After the current renovation, the buildings’ expected energy needs will be met by local production of solar panels. The solar panels can supply over 200,000kWh each year.

Walls, ceilings and windows are tight-fitting and well insulated. Exterior sun shading and internal solutions, including exposed concrete desk, contribute to reduce the need for cooling in summer. A good indoor environment is important for the success of the project, and all interior spaces have been upgraded into modern office spaces. The facades are of charred wood, which retain the dark colors of the existing building and provide environmental friendly material that is beneficial in terms of embodied energy.

Snøhetta, Powerhouse Kjørbo, Bærum, Norway. Photo © Ketil Jacobsen

Snøhetta, Powerhouse Kjørbo, Bærum, Norway. Photo © Ketil Jacobsen

Snøhetta, Powerhouse Kjørbo, Bærum, Norway. Photo © Chris Aadland

Snøhetta, Powerhouse Kjørbo, Bærum, Norway. Photo © Chris Aadland

Snøhetta, Powerhouse Kjørbo, Bærum, Norway. Photo © Chris Aadland

Powerhouse Kjørbo, Bærum, Norway
Program: renovation
Architects: Snøhetta
Contractor: Skanska
Environmental organization: ZERO
Aluminium: Sapa and Hydro
Consultancy: Asplan Viak
Property-management: Entra Eiendom
Client: Entra Eiendom
Area: 5,200 sqm
Completion: February 2014

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Powerhouse Kjørbo

The ambitious goal for the Powerhouse project, designed by Snøhetta, was to develop and construct buildings that produce more energy than they consume over the course of their lifetime.

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