2_1_ScanMag_69_Oct_2014_Text:Scan Magazine 1
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture Denmark
Frontrunners and risk-takers At the height of the global financial crisis, however, margins were thin between investors’ enthusiasm and hesitancy. “Being a frontrunner, setting out to do something unprecedented, is not easy, especially under circumstances as they were then,” says Richter. “Sure, everyone can sit around a table and agree that a project is exciting. But taking steps outside the comfort zone and actually doing things differently – that is a different matter.” Richter had, in other words, thrown down the gauntlet for investors and contractors with her ambitious outline. In 2013, it was picked up by one of Denmark’s most significant philanthropic organisations, Realdania, which provided the funding that ultimately guaranteed the project’s realisation.
on,” says Richter. “We are about to realise our showroom concept as well as being a hotel for conferences and holidays.” Dreyer echoes this sentiment. He believes that Steenbergs Arhitects’ successful grasp of a very steep learning curve will stand the company in good stead for future projects of a similar kind. “Green Solution House is a pioneering project, so I am confident others will look to us for experience when undertaking comparable ventures.” A THREE-STRINGED GREEN STRATEGY Green Solution House is designed to improve its life cycle continuously. This means that all the products and technologies, from energy sourcing to the integrated building materials, are in principle replaceable with their more sustainable counterparts throughout the building’s service life.
Pioneering architecture project
would consider it an attraction in itself – something that could function not only as a conference venue, but a showroom for the latest in sustainable construction,” she recalls. What materialised was the concept of transforming Hotel Ryttergaarden, already a tourist-friendly destination, into one of the world’s most ecofriendly hotels, suited to business as well as leisure. A so-called three-stringed green strategy was to be deployed, whereby all natural resources are conserved. Building materials will be recycled or biologically degradable; the sun will provide some of the energy; the reuse of waste will be maximised; rain water will be collected and utility waste water recycled.
As main advisors, Steenbergs Architects agreed to take the required steps and challenge the company’s comfort zone. “We all looked each other in the eye and said ‘we are going to make this a success’,” says Jørgen Dreyer, the firm’s CEO. “Our task was to make the most modern, most sustainable building imaginable – right down to the finest details, like recycled stone and surplus soil from digging. It is all about total dedication to the cradle-tocradle philosophy, where all natural resources are preserved through reuse upon reuse. For a company like ours, with 14 employees, this is a great honour. And I must say we emerge from this as much better architects, having learned to work in new ways and deal with new processes.” The concept behind Green Solution House is rubbing off outside the hotel business, with Bornholm’s municipal hospital among those seeking ideas and knowledge sharing for future refurbishment projects. Because many of Green Solution House’s materials are being used for the very first time, there is generally great interest from those following the project’s lead. “A ripple effect is happening with people asking us about our Cradle to Cradle carpets from Desso, Gaia Solar’s solar cells integrated into balustrades, and so
The building will be: -
certified to the standards of the recognised German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB);
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based on the criteria of the Active House vision, and;
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inspired by the cradle-to-cradle life cycle concept.
The aim is to demonstrate the architectural solutions of tomorrow – today!
For more information, please visit: www.greensolutionhouse.dk/english www.steenberg.dk
TOP: Development project at Aalborg Docks. ABOVE: Summer house
Issue 69 | October 2014 | 35