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Cold Shadows: Explore 5 Thrilling Examples of Nordic Noir Architecture
CategoriesArchitecture

Cold Shadows: Explore 5 Thrilling Examples of Nordic Noir Architecture

By Zarkon Group,

Architizer’s new image-heavy daily newsletter, The Plug, is easy on the eyes, giving readers a quick jolt of inspiration to supercharge their days. Plug in to the latest design discussions by subscribing. 

From Vaxholm to Geiranger, the Westfjords to Lapland, the countries categorized as Nordic are vast and varied. In Northern Europe, untamed, rugged terrain is plentiful, as are lush boreal forests and the glittering Aurora Borealis. In this part of the world, the environment is in constant battle with itself. Scenic fjords and crystalline lakes freeze and thaw throughout the year while the winters dark and the summers light fight for total dominance. Here, life and death hang in the balance of a few degrees. It is a place where beauty and brutality coexist, resulting in a landscape that is as stark as it is stunning.

When we think of Nordic Noir, we think of television and cinema with complex existential themes, where justice, morality and the human condition are succinctly layered with melancholy and introspection. Thrillers and crime dramas are the heart of the genre. However, more than the gripping narratives of unlikely detectives and elaborate dragon tattoos, it is the distinct aesthetic found in the northern regions that feature in Nordic Noir that often plays such a crucial role in storytelling. The opposing characteristics found in both urban and rural settings across these nations are unique and exhilarating; the extremes of light and shadow on bleak, icy landscapes provide wonderful contradictions that create atmospheric tension that is perfect for enthralling mysteries.

Unsurprisingly, It’s not only cinematographers who have taken note of the beauty that lies in the striking duality of the Nordic region. Architects, too, have been exploring how these extreme yet beautiful landscapes can offer the perfect backdrop for breathtaking buildings that are rich in contrast and emotion. These five examples expertly highlight how architecture is as much about its environment as it is about its composition.

Tungestølen Tourist Cabin

By Snøhetta, Veitastrond, Norway

Tungestølen Tourist Cabin by Snøhetta, Veitastrond, Norway. Photographs by Jan M. Lillebø and Ketil Jacobsen

Nordic architecture and Snøhetta go hand in hand. The visionary firm is local to the region and are experts in crafting buildings that honor and complement this challenging landscape. In the aftermath of Cyclone Dagmar in 2011, the Tungestølen Tourist Cabin, a cherished spot for glacier hikers in Norway, was destroyed. Thanks to diligent fundraising, the popular spot has been reborn from the devastation through the collective will of Luster Turlag and the Veitastrond community.

Snøhetta’s winning design reimagines the refuge with a series of modern pentagonal and oblique cabins that stand in vivid contrast to the wild, natural landscape surrounding them. The cabins, featuring robust wooden frames and panoramic windows, marry minimalist interiors with the dramatic landscape beyond, bringing the Nordic Noir sensibility of stark beauty and atmospheric tension to the place of respite while creating a haven for people of all ages and hiking experiences.

Project Ö

By Aleksi Hautamaki and Milla Selkimaki, Kemiönsaari, Finland

Project Ö by Aleksi Hautamaki and Milla Selkimaki, Kemiönsaari, Finland. Photographs by Archmospheres

Project Ö, where “Ö” means ‘an island’ in Swedish, sits on the edge of the Archipelago National Park. This 5-acre island has been transformed into a self-sufficient retreat that marries traditional Finnish aesthetics with the thoughtful minimalism characteristic of Nordic Noir. The main cabin and sauna, alongside a workshop, pay homage to their heritage through gabled roofs, extended eaves and vertical cladding while embracing modernity with large windows that frame the surrounding natural beauty.

The vision was to have all things necessary with as little space as possible. All individual spaces have been designed to be as compact as possible without compromising functionality and comfort. The two buildings are just 70 square meters in total, yet they comfortably sleep ten adults if required. By harnessing solar power and utilizing filtered seawater, the island is totally self-sufficient, becoming a shining example of the possibility of sustainable lifestyles even in the harshest environments.

Manshausen 2.0

By Snorre Stinessen Architecture, Steigen, Norway

Manshausen 2.0 by Snorre Stinessen Architecture, Steigen, Norway Photographs by Adrien Giret.

The frozen waters in the Steigen Archipelago are a place where the warmth of human habitat contrasts with the brisk natural world. Manshausen 2.0, an extension of the Manshausen Island Resort, introduces cabins and a sauna that harmonize with the breathtaking landscape that was historically a trading post for the fishing industry.

Each of the cabins, inspired by Finnish design, had to be built a certain height above the water to protect against high tide and predicted sea level rise. The structures are elevated on iron rods drilled into the rock and anchored with steel reclaimed from the island. The cabins utilize durable materials like aluminum cladding that is excellent at resisting the salinity of sea air. They are crafted to withstand the extreme weather conditions of their surroundings.

While guest hunker down indoors, the cabin’s long, narrow structure allows for expansive windows that capture the changeable rugged landscape. A welcome feature against the warm, minimalist interiors. This extreme contrast is part of the appeal at Manshausen, offering a heightened experience to guests who are continuously engaged with the changing landscape while cocooned safely in the cozy cabin.

House on a Meadow

By PAVE Architects, Finland

House on a Meadow by PAVE Architects, Finland

The House on the Meadow reflects the industrial spirit of its surroundings. The unusual building was once an old horse farm, and its rural position was once the backdrop of the owner’s childhood farm work. The plot is bordered on all sides by a field and meadow landscape, giving it a strong feeling of solidarity when blanketed with snow. Yet, there is a gracefulness in the narrowness of the three buildings that make up the property, and the façade materials make the main house simple and almost elegant — plastered down each long face and slender corten steel plates to each end.

Inside, the home is modern and sophisticated, with a simple pallet of black, white and darkened timber. Light plays a pivotal role within the House on the Meadow. Northeast-southwest view axes, particularly prominent in the kitchen-living room space, harness natural light to create ambiance and the brightness and shadow within the building shift with the day and are emphasized by the contrasting color pallet.

Skjern Å

By Johansen Skovsted, Skjern, Denmark

Skjern Å by Johansen Skovsted, Skjern, Denmark. Photographs by Architekturfotograf Rasmus Norlander

Johansen Skovsted architects transformed functional structures into storytelling monuments. The remodeled trio of pumping stations in West Jutland reflect their complex environmental and historical context.

Johansen Skovsted’s approach to the renovation respects the original purpose of these buildings—industrial structures designed for machinery rather than human habitation—while introducing a human-centric tactility and a sense of place. In adapting these pumping stations, the architects embraced the character and history of the site, opting for a design that blends seamlessly with the valley. Instead of imposing modernity, they sought continuity, allowing the buildings to continue to tell their story. The extensions and the new interior building elements are mainly simple wooden constructions and reiterate the dimensions and rhythm of the original pump stations’ concrete relief to comfortably merge with their surroundings.

Architizer’s new image-heavy daily newsletter, The Plug, is easy on the eyes, giving readers a quick jolt of inspiration to supercharge their days. Plug in to the latest design discussions by subscribing. 

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Aerogels freeze the costs of cold chain logistics
CategoriesSustainable News

Aerogels freeze the costs of cold chain logistics

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: An efficient cold chain is vital for ensuring maximum agricultural efficiency and reducing post-harvest losses, as well as for keeping delicate pharmaceutical products safe. However, refrigeration uses a lot of energy. In fact, according to the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the refrigeration sector is currently responsible for around 17 per cent of global electricity consumption. To reduce this, KrossLinker has developed what it claims is the world’s most insulating nanomaterial.

Earlier this year, the startup released its first commercial aerogel product, called Cryar Aerogel Board. This is a water-based, Silicon Aerogel composite board designed to reduce the energy needed to keep pharmaceutical and food products cold during shipping, with its nano-porous structure providing excellent thermal insulation.

The company’s aerogel is lightweight, non-toxic, and reusable. It is made using a novel drying technique that reduces the energy consumption of the finished product while speeding up production. KrossLinker claims that its product is made at half the cost of traditional aerogels.

KrossLinker has collaborated with a number of packaging logistic companies to accelerate the adoption of Cryar aerogel shipping containers. Beyond the cold chain, KrossLinker’s technology also has applications in the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) and building construction.

The energy consumption of the cold chain industry is the subject of a number of recent innovations spotted by Springwise. These include solar-powered cooling for the livestock industry and the use of compostable materials for cold chain packaging.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

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Eight brutalist Mexican home interiors proving concrete isn’t always cold
CategoriesInterior Design

Eight brutalist Mexican home interiors proving concrete isn’t always cold

By Zarkon Group,

Raw concrete surfaces are softened by timber and plenty of daylight inside these Mexican houses, rounded up here as part of our latest lookbook.

Many of these brutalist interiors leave their concrete shells exposed and their cavernous rooms largely unadorned.

But freed of the constraints posed by frigid temperatures, they also create a greater connection to the outside, whether overlooking Puerto Escondido’s wave-swept beaches or nestled in the bustling metropolis of Mexico City.

Here, concrete surfaces help to create a sense of seamlessness between indoor and outdoor spaces – often separated only by removable partitions – while unfinished natural materials, such as wood or stone, are brought into the interior.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with exposed services, primary-coloured living spaces and houses with outdoor showers.

Casa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, by Ludwig Godefroy in roundup on brutalist Mexican houses
Photo by Rory Gardiner

Casa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, by Ludwig Godefroy

Tucked away in the forest outside Cañada De Alferes near Mexico City, this brutalist holiday home has a board-formed concrete shell.

This is left on display throughout its entire interior, all the way down to the bedrooms (top image) and the double-height lounge (above).

To bring a sense of homeliness to its otherwise spartan living spaces, architect Ludwig Godefroy added warm wooden floors and lush pops of green – as seen across upholstery and lighting fixtures.

Find out more about Casa Alférez ›

Casa del Sapo by Espacio 18 Arquitectura in Oaxaca, Mexico
Photo by Onnis Luque and Fabian Martinez

La Casa del Sapo, Playa Zapotengo, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura

The kitchen of this seafront home – set right on Oaxaca’s Zapotengo beach – can be merged with its neighbouring patio using a wide wooden folding door.

All-around concrete helps to underline this fusion, while also serving a practical function in the form of a kitchen island and matching shelves.

Find out more about La Casa del Sapo ›

The Hill in Front of the Glen, Morelia, by HW Studio
Photo by César Béjar

The Hill in Front of the Glen, Morelia, by HW Studio

Reminiscent of the Hobbit houses in JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, this sunken home is nestled into a hillside in the forests of Michoacán in central Mexico.

The building’s interiors are defined by its concrete vaulted ceilings, which can be seen in every room, while log benches and full-height glazing provide a visual link to the woodland outside.

Find out more about The Hill in Front of the Glen ›

Casa Mérida by Ludwig Godefroy
Photo by Rory Gardiner

Casa Mérida, Mérida, by Ludwig Godefroy

Mayan architecture and craftsmanship informed the design of this otherwise brutalist house in Yucatán state, which is considered the capital of the indigenous civilisation.

The home’s perimeter walls, for example, have joints covered in stone splinters that take cues from the design of Mayan pyramids and temples. These are left exposed on the interior alongside the concrete ceilings, creating a rich medley of architectural references.

Find out more about Casa Mérida ›

Pachua by PPAA from roundup on brutalist Mexican houses
Photo by Rafael Gamo

Pachuca Apartments, Mexico City, by PPAA

Concrete slabs pave both the patio and living spaces in this Mexico City house to create a sense of continuity, only separated by a full-height glass wall that can be completely pushed open.

On the interior, the rough concrete finishes are contrasted with details in American white oak, among them a long dining table as well as a staircase with treads that slot into a huge bookshelf.

Find out more about Pachuca Apartments ›

Casa UC, Morelia, by Daniela Bucio Sistos
Photo by Dane Alonso and Mariano Renteria Garnica

Casa UC, Morelia, by Daniela Bucio Sistos

Neutral colours and tactile materials are found throughout this home in the city of Morelia, including raw concrete ceilings and floors finished in a honey-toned tropical timber called caobilla.

In the library, the same wood was also used to form integrated shelves and a huge porthole window that can be pivoted open and closed like a door.

Find out more about Casa UC ›

Casa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, by Francisco Pardo
Photo by Sandra Pereznieto

Casa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, by Francisco Pardo

Mexican architect Francisco Pardo repurposed the pinewood formwork used in the process of constructing this concrete house to form a series of partition walls throughout the home.

The resulting interior layout is simple and fluid and centres on an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living room that open up onto a sunken garden.

Find out more about Casa Aguacates ›

ZIcatela House by Ludwig Godefroy
Photo by Rory Gardiner

Zicatela, Puerto Escondido, by Emmanuel Picault and Ludwig Godefroy

Set in the small surf town of Puerto Escondido, this weekend home accommodates its main living areas inside a covered patio and is made almost entirely of concrete.

The only exceptions are the doors and sliding louvred wood screens that can be used to open the space up to the gardens on either side, as well as a few sparse furnishings such as the low-slung dining table, which is made from a cross-sectioned tree trunk.

Find out more about Zicatela ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with exposed services, primary-coloured living spaces and houses with outdoor showers.

Reference

Cold Climate Heat Pumps Warm Homes on the Coldest Days
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Cold Climate Heat Pumps Warm Homes on the Coldest Days

By Zarkon Group,

In the US, about 13% of total CO2 emissions come from heating residential and commercial buildings. Because so many buildings rely on natural gas and heating oil, significant opportunity for reducing heating emissions lies with electric heat pumps. Heat pumps have been popular in the South for decades, but there are a lot of questions about how well they work in colder climates.

“A huge portion of our global emissions come from heating buildings,” says Brian Stewart, co-founder of Electrify Now, a volunteer organization devoted to electrification. “Since our homes are a big part of that, it’s important for us to understand the options we have for zero-carbon heating.”

Recently, researchers from the University of California, Davis did the math on switching from a gas furnace to an electric heat pump. Even with the mix of fuels that currently powers the electrical grid, a heat pump will produce far fewer emissions than a gas furnace, no matter where in the US you live. As the grid gets cleaner, the difference between electric and gas heating emissions will only continue to grow.

“We know that electrification works from a decarbonization standpoint, and we know that these heat pumps work in many situations,” says Stewart. “But we still have so many people wondering: Will heat pumps work in cold temperatures?”

Heat pumps, not just for warm climates

“With a standard heat pump, you start to lose efficiency as temperatures dip below 40°F,” explained Shawn LeMons, Performance Construction Manager for Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US. “So, the system needs more electric power to extract heat from colder air.”

That’s where cold climate heat pumps come in.

Also known as high-efficiency heat pumps, these high-tech systems are specially designed to operate at a higher heating capacity in lower temperatures. “Cold climate heat pumps may look similar to standard heat pumps, but their internal technology and computer programming are far more advanced,” LeMons added. “They’re specifically built to function at subzero temperatures, all while operating as efficiently as possible.”

Location, location, location

Cold climate heat pumps are purpose-built for heating comfort and ease of use in inclement weather. You can use them in any “heating-dominated” region where HVAC systems spend most of the time heating instead of cooling. This includes climates with frequent snow and ice, as well as coastal climates with cold rain and fog. As long as your system is operating properly, it should be able to handle prolonged subzero temperatures, even at elevations thousands of feet above sea level, explained LeMons.

Households in milder temperature zones may also prefer a cold climate heat pump when the weather outside starts to get snowy or icy. You may not necessarily need a cold climate heat pump year-round, but having one will give you added benefits and comfort during the cold winter months.

Buying a cold climate heat pump

“Generally, because of the special features and programming, cold climate heat pumps can cost around 20% to 30% more than standard heat pumps,” said Jonathan Moscatello, Business Development Manager for Daikin North America. That’s because you’re paying for the system’s ability to pump heat in colder temperatures, and that’s where cold climate heat pumps shine.

“Compared to traditional heat pumps, they produce more heat per dollar spent, making them a better value in the long run,” said Moscatello. And that’s before you consider the potential tax incentives you’ll get when you make the switch!

Take note: Some manufacturers put all their premium technology into their cold climate models, so you’re also paying for features unrelated to the cold climate performance, Moscatello pointed out. So don’t be afraid to shop around for the best value.

What should you look for when picking out a cold climate heat pump? It depends on whom you ask. Start with the EnergyStar and Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) published standards for cold climate heat pumps. Most utility and government rebate programs also use these specifications.

“Manufacturers also have their own standards for what qualifies a heat pump for cold climate operation,” added Moscatello. “Examples of this include Mitsubishi’s Hyper-Heat line and Daikin’s Aurora line.”

Ratings and features to look for

LeMons and Moscatello recommend the following guidelines when shopping for a cold climate heat pump:

  1. Rated performance at 47°F.
  2. Maximum performance at 5°F.
  3. Capacity ratio at 5°F. This is the ratio of #1 and #2 above; the closer this number is to 100%, the better it can handle very low temperatures.
  4. Coefficient of performance at 5°F You want this number to be below 2. The lower the number, the better the system’s heat efficiency.
  5. Published performance at very cold temperatures, such as -13°F, -15°F, or -22°F. Keep in mind that these numbers give an idea of how the heat pump will perform on the coldest days. Many systems continue to work well at even lower temperatures.

Some typical features to look for:

  • Inverter compressors and advanced motors for greater energy efficiency
  • Advanced programming for cold climate operations, such as hot discharge air temperatures and “just right” airflow
  • Intelligent defrost cycles and drain pan de-icing
  • Optional wind baffles for an outdoor unit

At the end of the day, you’re buying a heating appliance, and you want to make sure it’s purpose-built for cold winter comfort. So, definitely read reviews and ask around before you buy!

Infographic showing advantages of heat pumps optimized for cold climates

The US Department of Energy’s Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge is working with manufacturers to develop next-generation electric heat pumps.

Busting heat pump myths

Myth #1: You need a backup system to handle the coldest winter temperatures.

“Dual fuel is a legitimate path, but it’s not really necessary with a cold climate heat pump,” explained Stewart. Sure, standard heat pumps may need an alternate heating source like a furnace or boiler to take over when temperatures drop below freezing. Cold climate heat pumps, on the other hand, are equipped to handle the most frigid winters.

Laura Martel, Research and Evaluation Manager for Efficiency Maine offered an example of cold climate heat pump performance. “Caribou is a town in northeast Maine that’s IECC zone 7, the coldest climate zone in the United States. Homes in Caribou need their heaters for 6,444 of the 8,760 hours in a year.”

According to data from Efficiency Maine, it’s cheaper and more efficient to heat a home in Caribou with a cold climate heat pump than with a dual fuel system, natural gas, propane, or oil. While natural gas or propane systems may become more efficient when outdoor temperatures drop below 0°F, that only accounts for around 500 total hours each year in Caribou. Therefore, natural gas is more efficient than heat pumps only 5% of the time. For propane, that number drops to 1%.

“When you look at annual operating costs for various systems, heat pumps save people between $1,000 and $3,000 or more per year. Even if you switch to natural gas or propane for the small fraction of time that they’re cheaper, you’d only save an additional $26 per year, max,” said Martel. So, even though cold climate heat pumps may cost around $2,500 more to install than boiler systems, the yearly cost savings can quickly add up to make up for that initial expense.

Myth #2: Turning down the heat at night saves energy.

“We’ve been told for decades that we should turn down our home heater systems when we’re sleeping to save energy. That works great for boilers and furnaces, but I wouldn’t recommend it with heat pumps,” says Martel.

While furnaces can quickly blast heat into your home, heat pumps take longer to raise the temperature. When you turn your heat down at night, you reduce the rate of heat output of your system, temporarily lowering your energy usage. But when you turn it back up in the morning, your heat pump has to work extra hard to get the temperature back up. It doesn’t help that it’s usually colder in the early morning.

“Turning the heat down or off at night just isn’t as efficient as picking a comfortable temperature, setting it, and leaving it alone,” she said.

Still have questions?

If you’re interested in learning more about heat pumps, check out Electrify Now’s electrification fact sheet. You can also use this savings calculator from Rewiring America to estimate the tax incentives you’d receive from installing a heat pump in your home. Note that this article springs from Electrify Now’s cold climate heat pumps webinar, so check out their YouTube channel for more eco-friendly tips and technologies.

By Catherine Poslusny

Reference

Hariri Pontarini rethinks cold medical interiors at BARLO MS Centre
CategoriesInterior Design

Hariri Pontarini rethinks cold medical interiors at BARLO MS Centre

By Zarkon Group,

Canadian architecture studio Hariri Pontarini has completed a clinic in Toronto for multiple sclerosis patients that features warm wood tones and spaces designed to feel like “first-class airplane lounges”.

The Barlo MS Centre is Canada’s largest clinic dedicated to those with MS, a complex autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system.

Entrance with curved reception desk
The BARLO MS Centre was designed with atypical colours, materials, textures and lighting

Named after its two biggest donors, the Barford and Love families, the centre occupies the top two floors of a new 17-storey tower at St Michael’s Hospital in Downtown Toronto.

The 30,000-square-foot (2,790-square-metre) facility was designed by local studio Hariri Pontarini Architects, which aimed to rethink sterile-looking healthcare spaces and focus on patient wellbeing through the use of atypical colours, materials, textures and lighting.

Feature staircase in the atrium
The clinic’s two storeys are connected by a staircase that rises through an atrium

“Canadians are particularly prone to MS for reasons that are unclear,” said the studio.

“This hospital’s mission is nothing less than to transform MS care and become the world’s leading MS centre through research and clinical treatment.”

Walnut cladding around consultation rooms
Circular consultation rooms are partially clad in walnut

Taking cues from the hospitality industry, the team aimed to create a “comfortable and welcoming environment” by filling the spaces with daylight and offering views of the skyline.

The two floors are connected by a double-height atrium, topped with an oculus that allows more natural light in from above.

Inside a consultation room
The wavy panels conceal the rooms from the main circulation corridor

A staircase rises up through the atrium, curving towards the top with a glass balustrade to follow the shape of the opening.

Downstairs, the atrium connects to a lounge at the corner of the building and a reception area anchored by a curved white counter.

Infusion pods
Infusion pods are given privacy by pale wood screens

A wide corridor leads past a series of cylindrical consultation rooms that are partially glazed, but screened where they face the circulation area by wavy walnut panels.

On the other side of the floor plan, smaller and more open consultation booths named infusion pods are still offered privacy with curved pale wood screens.

Reception area
Different varieties of wood give the interiors a warm tone

“The infusion pods where patients may sit for up to eight hours are modelled to resemble a first-class airplane lounge and provide complete control over their environment,” the Hariri Pontarini team said.

Various light-toned woods are used for wall panels and balustrades, as well as thin slats that extend across the ceilings.

Lounge area
The atrium connects to a lounge and waiting area

All spaces were designed with durability and accessibility in mind, considering that some MS patients have vision and cognitive loss, fatigue and impaired coordination.

Bronze-coloured handrails were installed along the majority of walls and partitions, while anti-slip porcelain tiles cover the floors to aid patient mobility.

The centre also includes a gym, a mock apartment adapted for MS patients, and rooms for meetings, research and administration.

Together, it provides patients with a space to see a dedicated healthcare team in one location and clinicians the state-of-the-art resources to offer the best possible treatment.

Upper level lit by oculus
An oculus above the atrium brings daylight into the centre of the building

Hariri Pontarini Architects was founded by Siamak Hariri and David Pontarini in 1994.

One of the studio’s most recognisable buildings is the Bahá’í temple in Chile, featuring torqued wings made of steel and glass, while its work closer to home includes the glass-wrapped Tom Patterson Theatre in Stratford, Ontario.

Upper level corridor
Handrails are provided throughout the clinic to aid patient mobility

The Bar MS Centre is one of five projects shortlisted in the Leisure and Wellness Interior category of the Dezeen Awards 2022, along with a Shenzhen cinema and a spa in the Maldives.

See the full Interiors shortlist and vote now for your favourites.

The photography is by A-Frame.

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