Scandinavian nations have long been ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability – and Norway is often cited as the greenest country in the world.
In 2016, the Norwegian Parliament made a radical commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 – most of the world’s developed countries are aiming for 2050 – and hydropower already accounts for 95% of the nation’s energy.
Which means it’s no surprise that Norway is home to some of the world’s most innovative green buildings.
Økern Portal is one such development – an 80,000 square-metre complex in Oslo, the country’s capital, containing office spaces, hotels, shops and restaurants.
The striking building was constructed on stilts, designed to look like the trunks of trees, while horizontal facets in its glass and aluminium façade resemble leaves.
It’s a fitting aesthetic, because the Økern Portal has been built to be sustainable in every respect.
Tasked with imagining a cutting-edge structure capable of achieving BREEAM certification, the Portal’s designers produced one that minimised energy use, waste and pollution, and was made of sustainable materials.
Its highly distinctive 14,600 square-metre façade consists of 75% end-of-life aluminium, with a guaranteed carbon footprint of less than 2.3kg of carbon dioxide per 1kg of metal – 84% lower than average.
Meanwhile, on the roof, the building is helping re-establish biodiversity in Oslo, featuring urban gardens and beehives, as well as running tracks.
Achieving outstanding environmental performance also meant paying considerable attention to the glazing.
The Portal’s first two floors feature 3,000 square metres of triple glazing, featuring highly translucent, colour-neutral solar control glass, capable of sound insulation of between 32 and 38dB, and offering U-values of 0.6 or below.
One crucial element contributing to that exceptional performance is Edgetech’s Super Spacer® T-Spacer™ Premium.
To achieve a thickness of 55mm for each unit, T-Spacer™ in widths of 14, 16 or 18mm were used in conjunction with the automated application line operated by respected Danish glass supplier Glaseksperten.
“T-Spacer™ is our preferred warm edge for demanding sustainability projects such as the Økern Portal due to its excellent energy performance,” comments Glaseksperten Sales Manager Jess Gregersen. “It also helps us ensure extremely precise spacer application, even under high-pressure deadlines.”
Edgetech Managing Director Chris Alderson comments: “With urgent action needed all over the world to rapidly cut carbon emissions and prevent the worst impacts of climate change, it’s hugely encouraging to see so many innovative new developments achieving impressive leaps in sustainability.
“As ever, at Edgetech, we’re delighted and proud to play a part in delivering the green buildings of tomorrow.”
For more information, please call 02476 639931 or visit www.edgetechig.co.uk
