Passive energy houses, Storelva, Tromsø

The project is located in the Storelva neighbourhood of Kvaløya, an island area outside Tromsø in the far north of Norway. The site has a panoramic view of the fjord and the mountains. The name Storelva stems from a river that flows near the boundary of the site. The houses are fairly close to the road, but sheltered outdoor recreation areas have been established to the west and north, away from the traffic. These outdoor recreation areas also provide an effective buffer to the rushing sound of the river.

The development consists of a row of seven houses, all with a living area on three floors and a private roof terrace, where there is sun from early morning to late evening in the summer. Six of the houses have three bedrooms, kitchen/family room, living room, bathroom and additional WC. The end house facing the river has only one room on each floor, as well as a bath and WC.

The construction principle is based on an earlier project known as i-BOX, built by Steinsvik Arkitektontor in Tromsø. All of the houses, including cellars, are built of solid timber elements, with roofs insulated with rockwool. The timber structure provides effective soundproofing. Externally the buildings are covered with Norwegian heartwood pine. Carports, storerooms, bicycle sheds, a barbeque shed and a waste recycling unit are also built of solid timber elements. The heating plant, the heart of the building, is located in a stairwell on the roof. The solar collector is integrated into the south façade, where the large glass surfaces also allow a grand view. Importance is also attached to daylighting, and there is movement-controlled lighting in all rooms.