Type:
Office
Year:
Phase 1: 2009-2011 Phase 2: 2013-2015
Status:
Completed
Location:
Sarpsborg, Norway
Contact persons:
Stefan Qvisen, Emil Fjellingsdal
Client:
Kalnes Eiendom AS
Area:
6.200 m²
The building is one of the first office buildings in the country to be classified with an energy label A. This was an early requirement, achieved through the utilization of daylight, efficient space utilization, and good thermal insulation. Advanced control systems for ventilation, heating and cooling, and lighting are installed. The main energy source is an air-to-water heat pump system with a bio-oil boiler for peak load.
The building volume gradually steps up from 2 floors towards residential buildings in the west, to 4 floors facing Inspira Science Center, E6, and the view towards Vestvannet. The main entrance is located on the 2nd floor, where a shared reception and cafeteria are situated. The office spaces in the three lower floors open up towards a centrally located atrium, making the floors easily navigable and providing the building with an internally transparent character.

The building features cast-in-place concrete columns and slabs. The facades consist of timber-framed walls with external ventilated cladding of plaster-bearing Sto Ventec facade panels. Environmental considerations and requirements for low energy consumption have led to limited use of glass in the facades, approximately 17% of the floor area. Window design in the office areas primarily consists of horizontal bands placed at different heights relative to the floors. These window bands sometimes transition into bay windows. The horizontal bands are interrupted by tall vertical bay windows that invite users to the “outside” of the building volume.
The intention has been to create variations in the experience of the interior so that as many people as possible could find “their favorite spot” in the building. Facades facing the water feature on the east facade and areas near the entrance and south-facing areas all have larger window surfaces. All sun-exposed facades feature automatically controlled sun shading in the form of external blinds.