80 THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY
SVART
Svart to Open in Norway’
s Arctic Circle in 2022,
The World’
s First Energy-Positive Hotel
Hotel
The world’s first ‘energy-positive’ hotel, Svart, using poles that stretch several meters below
will open in Norway’s Arctic Circle in 2022. The the fjord’s surface, dissolving the boundary
property will have a 360-degree view of the between land and fjord. This ensures zero land
Svartisen glacier and the sensational Northern impact and reduces seabed disruption to the
Lights. A low-impact, ground-breaking design absolute minimum
will allow the project to produce more energy
than it uses, consuming approximately 85% less SCIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY
energy than the traditional hotel.
A collaboration between MIRIS, Snøhetta and
The 99-room property will house four Powerhouse, Svart will be the world’s first
restaurants, a 1,000-square-metre spa, two ‘energy-positive’ hotel, meaning it will produce
electric boats, a sustainable farm, an education more energy than it uses. It aims to be fully off-
centre and a design laboratory on-site. Svart grid, carbon neutral and zero waste within the
will be open to overnight guests, the local first five years of operation.
community and day-visitors alike.
To reach these sustainability goals, several
DESIGN cutting-edge design choices have been
made. Architects working on the project
Located deep within the arctic wilderness first conducted an extensive mapping-out
of Norway’s Meløy municipality, Svart will of how solar radiation behaves in relation to
perch atop the crystal-clear waters of the mountainous context throughout the year, in
order to optimise energy output. The findings
Holandsfjorden fjord, at the base of the glacier
itself. A glass-fronted, circular design will Inspired by the Norwegian Fiskehjell (a wooden influenced the design of the hotel, with hotel
provide a panoramic view of the fjord, glacier structure used to dry fish) and Rorbue (a rooms, restaurants and terraces strategically
and in the winter months, the spectacular fisherman’s traditional seasonal home), the hotel placed within a circular design to exploit the
Northern Lights, all without compromising on will be built upon a weather-resistant wooden sun’s energy no matter the time of day or
guests’ privacy. supporting structure. This will be constructed season.