House Dokka awarded Kongsberg Municipality's Architecture Prize
Colloquially, it has been named "Collumn house" after the significant beams that ensure minimal interference with the landscape. Since it was completed earlier this year, Dokkahus has attracted much attention from neighbours in and around Kongsberg. Now, it has also been awarded the municipality's Architecture Prize for 2023.
Photo: Robin Hayes
Photo: Robin Hayes
A building to make the municipality known
In its citation, Kongsberg municipality writes:
"The building is without comparison one of the most important contributions to the architecture of Kongsberg municipality and the region for many years. There are very few residential buildings designed by Snøhetta. Already in the spring, trips for architecture students to Gamlegrendåsen in Kongsberg have been organized to experience the building.
Kongsberg has now a building to make the municipality known far beyond Lågendalen."
Energy positive
However, the exterior is not the only remarkable about the almost floating detached house. In addition to a minimal footprint, physically and climate-wise, it has been vital that the winner of Kongsberg's Architecture Prize for 2023 can also be taken down again without excessive climate costs.
The materials consist mainly of locally produced cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (GLT). Not a single nail was used during construction. Fewer materials can more easily be sorted and reused.
With large surfaces of PV panels on the roof, sound insulation and waterborne heat connected to a ground source heat pump, the energy accounts show that consumption is not only lower than earnings – 75 per cent of the family's electric car consumption is covered by the home's production.
Photo: Robin Hayes
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