Solterrassen
/
I’m always interested by architecture which is identified with the sun. Here’s a new example in an unexpected place.
Solterrassen—“The Sun Terrace”—is a multifamily housing project in Umeå, Sweden. It was named the Best Housing Project of 2018 by a Swedish construction industry group, which based its rankings on customer satisfaction. It was built by the giant construction firm Skanska. The architect is credited as Moa Öster of Tyréns. There are 42 units.
Now, Umeå is not a solar paradise; it’s above 63°N latitude, a few hours’ drive from the Arctic Circle! (Map below.) In December Umeå residents get less than 5 hours of sunlight each day, and almost no insolation (link). The building is oriented so that the terraces face Southwest.
Like most Swedish housing, the project is serviced by district heating (centrally-produced hot water), with spaces heated by radiators or heated floors. The project was certified under Svanen Miljömärkt, the “Nordic Swan Ecolabel” for housing, which requires the building use 85% of the energy benchmark in Sweden’s already-strict code.
● ● ●
