House Dokka | Snøhetta

Snøhetta and Engineer Tor Helge Dokka Collaborate to Redefine Energy-Positive Family Housing
In a groundbreaking collaboration with nature, Snøhetta, renowned for its innovative architectural designs, has partnered with engineer Tor Helge Dokka to create House Dokka—a single-family residence in Kongsberg that exemplifies sustainability and energy efficiency.

Low CO2 Footprint Amidst Natural Harmony
Resembling a floating treehouse, House Dokka seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings. The two volumes, predominantly constructed from locally produced cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (GLT), are supported by massive wooden columns drilled into the rock, ensuring minimal disruption to the landscape. This meticulous approach to construction results in a residence with an exceptionally low CO2 footprint. 

Energy-Positive Living
The architectural design, orientation, and strict energy principles applied in the construction of House Dokka contribute to its advantageous greenhouse gas accounting. Notably, the residence meets its energy needs and even provides 75 percent of the energy required to charge the family's electric car. This achievement underscores the owner's ambition to demonstrate that family housing can be both sustainable and energy positive.

"Dokkahus gets its unique expression through a combination of the plot's steep and exciting properties, good materials and smart thoughts about energy and longevity. The tension is created between the open and the closed space, the view and the insight, the approach and the distance," says Project lead and Senior architect Anne Cecilie Moe.

Two Floors, Two Identities
House Dokka, named after its owner Tor Helge Dokka, comprises two floors with distinct identities. The upper floor, featuring a traditional pitched roof and expansive glass surfaces, seems light and airy, while the lower floor, settling naturally into the terrain, relates harmoniously to its surroundings. Integrating PV panels into the ceiling adds aesthetic appeal while contributing to significant material and cost savings.

Efficient Heating and Cooling
House Dokka achieves efficient heating through an underfloor heating system connected to a ground source heat pump. The generous use of glass enhances daylight conditions and is a supplementary heat source during colder months. In summer, the system reverses, providing cooling benefits. The home's thoughtful design minimizes the need for mechanical ventilation.

Recyclable and Cost-Effective
With an annual surplus of approximately 15 kWh/m2, the house covers 75 percent of the family's electric car charging needs. The residence is designed for quick and environmentally friendly disassembly, with materials easily sorted for recycling, thanks to the absence of nails in the construction process. The overall energy accounts, including construction and materials, are expected to break even in ten years.
 
Conclusion:
House Dokka stands as a testament to the possibilities of sustainable living, showcasing how innovative design, rigorous energy principles, and a commitment to harmony with nature can redefine the future of family housing. As the residence opens its doors to a greener tomorrow, it sets a new standard for environmentally conscious architecture.
 
Key features and facts
·       Finished: 2023
·       Client: Tor Helge Dokka
·       Collaborators: Kongsberg prosjektservice, Splitkon
·       Location: Kongsberg
·       Size: 190 m2, where main level is 102 m2, ground level 76 m2, and loft is 12 m2.
 
·       Project Lead and Senior Architect: Anne Cecilie Moe
·       Snøhetta has also been involved with Landscape and Interior Architecture at the early stages of the project.
·       CLT and GLT delivered by Splitkon, Hønefoss