Smart buildings cool without using electricity

Snøhetta's Vertikal Nydalen building has comfortable temperatures all year round thanks to unique design solutions.

Snøhetta Architects recently completed an energy-efficient skyscraper in Norway. The building combines smart design with sustainable features, allowing it to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round without needing energy from the grid, New Atlas reported on May 16.

The Vertikal Nydalen building is located next to a river in an industrial park in Oslo, Norway. (Photo: Lars Petter Pettersen/Snøhetta).

The Vertikal Nydalen building has an asymmetrical shape consisting of two interconnected towers, carefully chosen to protect the landscape of the neighborhood and ensure that the nearby square is not obscured. The building's exterior is finished in pine that gradually fades from brown to gray over time, while protruding steel balconies contrast with the warm wood. The interior includes a restaurant on the ground floor, office space above and 40 apartments on the top floors.

According to Snøhetta, the skyscraper does not use energy from the grid for heating, cooling or ventilation inside. Instead, to maintain a comfortable temperature, the design company uses a "three-no solution".

This solution utilizes geothermal wells dug deep into the ground to circulate water within the building's clay walls and concrete slabs when heating or cooling is needed. Photovoltaic cells installed on the roof help run heat pumps located in the heating and cooling system. Wide glass windows are installed throughout the building to maximize natural light inside. In addition, the building also does not have fans, instead there are large ventilation holes that open automatically when needed . The chamfered wall surfaces are designed to help the building ventilate well.

"Since traditional ventilation systems in office buildings often require ceilings lower than one meter, this natural solution without the need for air ducts and fans saves space. Therefore, the space is well utilized to increase brightness and ventilation, helping to improve room quality," said Snøhetta. The chamfered facade is designed to create a pressure differential, allowing air to flow through the building. Air enters through valves on the facade that can open and close automatically. When two windows open on different sides of a building, the pressure difference forces air to move through the interior space.

Vertikal Nydalen also features multiple sensors to monitor real-time building performance and collect data to optimize energy use. All desks in the office area have a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone to access an online form that describes the experience and comments on the building's comfort. Prior to Vertikal Nydalen, Snøhetta had extensive experience in sustainable construction with the ZEB Pilot House and Powerhouse Brattørkaia projects.