Unveiling an “energy-positive” concept doesn’t seem so out of left field for Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta. They’re the same braintrust of designers responsible for this unparalleled vision for wildlife observation, and their community of uniquely situated treehouse guest suites nestled high amongst Swedish pine trees, both inspiring an impulsive urge for adventure. Their latest announcement, Svart, is imagined for the most northerly of latitudes ? a proposed Arctic Circle energy-positive, Powerhouse certified hotel capturing the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape from 360-degrees.

It should go without saying, Snøhetta relishes projects utilizing technology as a means, but not necessarily as an end, concurrently solving complex challenges related to humankind while bringing nature and the landscape to the forefront of experience. ?Svart? is the first Arctic building to be built according to an energy standard where more renewable energy is produced over its lifetime in total than would be required to build, sustain daily operations, and demolish the building. Inspired by ?fiskehjell?, the vernacular A-shaped wooden structures used for drying fish, alongside the ?rorbue?, a traditional type of seasonal house used by fishermen, the hotel?s supporting structure lifts the majority of the hotel to hover over the fjord, producing minimal impact to the surrounding ecosystem.
The proposed design evokes a  kinder, gentler counterpart o...