Page 53 - ZEB Final Report 2009-2017

A Market Opportunity | 53

“The ZEB deinitions
are most useful when
initiating discussions
related to materials.”

Tine Hegli
Architect, Snøhetta

The zero emission concept developed by ZEB is clear and
ambitious. Snøhetta uses ZEB definitions to promote the
zero emission ambition whenever an opportunity arises -
either directly to potential clients or through architecture
competitions.
A client commissioning a project often requests a “high
environmental ambition” without always being clear about what
this might entail. In Norway, the certification system BREEAM-
NOR is often used as a guideline, but BREEAM communicates
environmental ambition best within the building industry. Zero
emissions or zero carbon footprint are well known concepts in The ZEB definitions are most useful when initiating
other sectors, as well as internationally, and are perhaps easier discussions related to materials. This part is easy to understand
to explain. Importantly, when using BREEAM as a planning and provides immediate insight into the importance of making
tool throughout all phases of a project, a number of additional informed choices. This is an essential concern for architects at
environmental concerns, such as transportation, water the start of the design process - ambitions that are agreed on at
management, pollution, and biodiversity, need to be included this stage provide guidelines for a different kind of architecture.
and systematised. Snøhetta has used the ZEB definition in numerous completed
projects, in competitions and proposals, both nationally and
internationally. Some examples are:

• Hospitalsgrunden in Hørsholm, housing development,
Denmark (competition)
• House Zero, office rehabilitation, Boston, USA (under
design)
• East Hampton, housing development, New York (workshop)
• Obama Presidential Centre, Chicago, USA (competition)
• Åros, residential developments, Røyken, Norway (feasibility
study about to start)
• Montesorri School, Powerhouse, Norway (under design)
• Powerhouse Telemark (under design)
• Regjeringskvartalet (competition)
• Minimum 10-15 different workshops/presentations in
conjunction with Powerhouse