International architecture, landscape and interior design brand, Snøhetta, collaborated with Arctic Adventures of Norway, Asplan Viak and Skanskadesigned to design the first ever power producing, ‘floating’ hotel.
The group plans to situate the Svart Hotel in Svartisen, Norway. The structure will rest above the beautiful clear waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord at the foot of the Almlifjellet Mountain.
Conducting research and mapping the behaviour of solar radiation in the mountainous region led to the idea of solar panels and a circular structural design as means of harvesting energy. Strategic placing of the hotel, the rooms, restaurants and terraces exploit the sun’s energy throughout the day and seasons. The circular design of the hotel and the Norwegian Solar Panels will see the hotel consuming 85% less energy annually.
The Svart hotel will also have a minimal footprint on nature. V shaped weather resistant wooden beams extended well below the water surface support the hotel, doing so with minimal disruption to nature.
Snøhetta Founding Partner Kjetil Trædal Thorsen said – “building in such a precious environment comes with some clear obligations in terms of preserving the natural beauty and the fauna and flora of the site. It was important for us to design a sustainable building that will leave a minimal environmental footprint on this beautiful Northern nature.
“Building an energy positive and low-impact hotel is an essential factor to create a sustainable tourist destination respecting the unique features of the plot; the rare plant species, the clean waters and the blue ice of the Svartisen glacier.”
The beams also operate as a wooden boardwalk for visitors to stroll along. They also provide additional storage and space for kayaks that visitors can use to paddle in the waters underneath the hotel or to travel to surrounding natural attractions.
Images: Snøhetta
