When the world’s northernmost net zero building uses solar power to generate twice as much energy as it consumes, then the green building movement seems more possible. The Powerhouse Brattørkaia in the fjord-side city of Trondheim, Norway, utilizes energy generation, storage, efficiency, and embodied carbon approaches to reach energy-positive status and even supplies clean power to its neighbours. Completed in 2019, the 18,580 square-meter office building even produces enough energy to offset production of the carefully selected building materials used in the construction, as well as its efficient operation, and the pre-planned disposal of the building. The building is the result of a research, design and engineering collaboration between architects Snøhetta, operators Entra, Skanska construction, as well as the environmental foundation ZERO and consultancy Asplan Viak. “Building energy-positive buildings is an extremely challenging task. No architectural practice, entrepreneur or developer could handle this individually,” says ​​Rune Grasdal, Senior Architect and Project Manager at Snøhetta. “One […]