Sleep In one of the Best Hotels in Norway & Enjoy the Northern Lights

Have you ever thought about how cool it would be to fall asleep by the most amazing natural phenomenon? If yes, then we are ready to take you to one of the best hotels in Norway that will turn that dream into reality!

The Svart Hotel that is situated in Halondsfjorden Fjord in the northern Saltan region leaves all the guests breathless. The gorgeous design breaks down within the sustainability and is known for bridging Svartisen (the most-visited glacier in Norway). Soon, it will become one of the most popular hotels in Norway for a sheltered high-design that will offer 360-degree views of the Arctic patch with stunning Northern Lights.

In collaboration with Arctic Adventures of Norway, Asplan Viak and Skanska, Snøhetta has designed “Svart” the world’s first Powerhouse hotel, at the foot of the Svartisen glacier that runs through Meløy municipality in northern Norway. The hotel is situated just above the Arctic Circle.

Building in such a precious environment comes with some clear obligations in terms of preserving its natural beauty, the fauna and the flora of the location. It was important to design a sustainable building that will leave a minimal environmental footprint on this beautiful Northern nature. Constructing an energy positive and low-impact hotel is an essential factor to create a sustainable tourist destination respecting the unique features of the site; the rare plant species, the clean waters and the blue ice of the Svartisen glacier.

The design model of the Svart hotel has local influences; the entire structure will be built on wooden stilts that will lift the building out of water, derived from ‘Fiskehjell’, a material used by fishermen to lift their traditional Norwegian Rorbue houses above the water.

To reach the Powerhouse standard, several cutting-edge design choices have been made. For example, the architects have conducted an extensive mapping of how solar radiation behaves in relation to mountainous context throughout the year to optimize the harvest of energy. The result of the study has been an importance premise for the circular design of the hotel, and both hotel rooms, restaurants and terraces are strategically placed to exploit the Sun’s energy throughout the day and seasons. The hotel’s roof is clad with Norwegian solar panels produced with clean hydro energy reducing the carbon footprint even further. Due to the long summer nights of this area, the annual production of solar energy will be significant.

Secluded terraces provide a shadow play in the facade of the hotel while also ensuring privacy. The facades protect against insolation from the sun in the summer when the it is high in the sky, removing the need for artificial cooling. During the winter months, when the sun is low in the sky, the large windows of the facade allows for a maximum of insolation to exploit the natural thermal energy. Materials with low embodied energy have been used to reach the Powerhouse standard.

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