Ecological skyscraper in Oslo by schmidt hammer lassen architects

After the completion of the ecologically aware building Bellonahuset (LPO architects, 2010), a new standard for energy-efficient construction was set in Norway, and for those who surpassed their already very low operating costs, the company had a reward in the form of a box of champagne. The record lasted less than six months, and the tables in construction efficiency had to be rewritten. Since then, the quest for a zero ecological footprint has become a national sport in Norway.
After a year-long competition, the winner of the renovation of the Posthuset skyscraper in the center of Oslo was announced at the end of September, whose two dark blocks form a striking landmark in the city. In the "Nordic Built Challenge," the design by the Danish studio schmidt hammer lassen prevailed, working closely with other offices Loop Architects, COWI, and Transsolar. The skyscraper from the 1960s will undergo a complete change of purpose and significant extension over the next three years. Upon completion in 2016, it is set to be the tallest and simultaneously the most ecological building in all of Norway. The energy-hungry building will switch to an energy-saving mode. During the renovation, 80 percent of construction waste will be recycled and reused. The vertical object will be interspersed with green oases providing healthier air inside. Walls covered with typical local greenery may contribute to the biodiversity of the entire region. From the ground floor to the top floor runs a so-called solar chimney, which ends in a greenhouse on the roof utilizing the excess heat of the building. In addition to the green cloak, subway passengers will also be able to see a thermal reservoir (a thousand cubic meters) providing heating for the upper offices.

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