skagen okontor by various architects
all images courtesy various architects

norwegian firm various architects together with engineers from ramboll UK 
and pollen architecture, USA have designed skagen okontor ('eco-office') as
a model for sustainable low-energy/low embedded carbon office buildings that
are suited to the nordic climate. with a calculated net energy consumption of 72 kWhr
the okontor is the most sustainable office building currently planned in norway.
the project was recently shown at cop15 climate change conference in copenhagen.



the building’s wooden facade of individually operable insulated shutters is it’s most
visible and dynamic feature. floor height shutters can be opened during the day to allow
in daylight and passive solar heat, or closed after sunset on cold days for added insulation.
the shutters can transform the facade from 60% to 20% window area. the inside surface
of the shutters are tiled with LED lights to produce artificial daylight during the dark
winter months to help provide a well-lit and healthy working environment year round.
the insulated shutters are calculated to provide an additional 15% savings on heating yearly.



the natural resources of the seafront site are all carefully utilized by the design.
4 quiet revolution wind turbines on the roof provide 24.000 kWhr of clean energy
(10% of the building’s energy demand). the windy and often overcast weather on
the norwegian west coast, combined with long dark winter nights made wind a more
efficient alternative to solar panels in this case. the sun is controlled for solar shading
and passive heat in the west facing atrium space, and through the many south facing
windows. sea water is used as an energy source for both heating and cooling via water
cooled heat pumps and sea water free cooling. this, coupled with high efficiency air
heat recovery, demand led controls, and high levels of thermal insulation have significantly
reduced the thermal plant demand. natural ventilation is possible for most of the year,
with cooling through refrigeration only necessary when sea water temperatures are at
their peak (no more than 4-8 weeks a year). green roof surfaces collect and filter
the area’s prodigious rainfall in rooftop water tanks for use in low-water fixtures
and fittings, reducing the need to waste treated water.





low embodied carbon materials were chosen where possible to reduce the project’s
overall CO2 footprint. a structural system of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panel walls
and floors was chosen for being locally sourced with a high level of carbon sequestration.
CLT represents a significant reduction in embodied CO2 compared to a traditional
concrete or steel frame. the building exterior and insulated shutters are clad in kebony,
a norwegian wood product that is sustainable, low-maintenance, and suitable for
the exposed seaside climate.


model of skagen okontor ('eco-office')

'we wanted to present the developer with an environmentally friendly alternative for
their site that was both innovative and buildable. this design is site specific, but it
contains many concepts that can be applied elsewhere in the nordic countries.'
- jim dodson, partner at various architects.

elevation


site plan