The Vertikal Nydalen Building by Snøhetta Maintains Comfortable Temperatures Year-Round with Unique Design Solutions.
Architectural firm Snøhetta has recently completed a energy-efficient skyscraper in Norway. The building combines smart design with sustainable features, allowing it to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year without relying on electricity from the grid, as reported by New Atlas on May 16.
The Vertikal Nydalen building is situated next to a river in an industrial area in Oslo, Norway. (Photo: Lars Petter Pettersen/Snøhetta).
The Vertikal Nydalen Building features an asymmetrical design that consists of two interconnected towers, carefully chosen to protect the neighborhood’s landscape and ensure that the nearby square is not obstructed. The building’s exterior is finished with pine wood that gradually transitions from brown to gray over time, while the protruding steel balconies contrast with the warm wood hues. The interior includes a restaurant on the ground floor, office spaces above, and 40 apartments on the upper floors.
According to Snøhetta, the skyscraper does not utilize energy from the grid for heating, cooling, or ventilation inside. Instead, to maintain a comfortable temperature, the design firm employs a “three no” solution.
This solution leverages geothermal wells dug deep into the ground to circulate water through the building’s clay and concrete walls when heating or cooling is required. Photovoltaic panels installed on the roof power the heat pump within the heating and cooling system. Large glass windows are installed throughout the building to maximize natural light indoors. Additionally, there are no fans; instead, there are large vents that open automatically as needed. The angled wall surfaces are designed to enhance the building’s ventilation.
“Traditional ventilation systems in office buildings often require ceilings to be lower than one meter; this natural solution without ducts and fans saves space. As a result, the space is better utilized to increase brightness and airflow, thereby enhancing room quality,” Snøhetta stated. The angled facade is designed to create pressure differentials, allowing air to flow through the building. Air enters through valves on the facade that can open and close automatically. When two windows are opened on different sides of the building, the pressure differential forces air to move through the interior space.
Vertikal Nydalen is also equipped with numerous sensors to monitor the building’s actual performance in real-time and collect data to optimize energy usage. All desks in the office area have QR codes that can be scanned with smartphones to access an online form describing the experience and providing feedback on the building’s comfort. Prior to Vertikal Nydalen, Snøhetta gained extensive experience in sustainable construction with projects such as the ZEB Pilot House and Powerhouse Brattørkaia.
