The new Heimdal College (VGS) is the largest zero emissions building in Norway and one of the most environmentally friendly college facilities in the world – and precisely consideration for the environment was an ambition right from the beginning of the project process.
The project encompasses teaching facilities for approximately 1,200 students, covering 25,000 m2, a parking basement, a new sports centre with room for an audience of 4,000, and a club house for the sports teams.
The building runs entirely on energy from solar cells, geo-wells and a biogas plant. Over time, the college will produce more energy than the building consumes, and the eco-friendly surplus energy can then be redistributed.
Solar cells are installed on 2,000 m2 of the roof, making solar energy a significant contributor to the overall energy supply. Furthermore, 21 geo-wells have been established to provide heating and energy. The remainder of the college’s energy and heating supply comes from a biogas plant, which has been built on the college grounds.
53 of the college’s 54 ventilation systems have rotation reclaims. The last has battery recovery and serves catering kitchen. Ventilation units have an average SFP number of about 0.8 and an efficiency of rotating recyclers of about 85%. The systems have combi-batteries that provide air heating in the winter and cooling during the summer months.
Ramboll was responsible for environmental techniques, building techniques, HVAC, plumbing, geotechnical solutions, acoustics and fire safety. Architecture was designed in cooperation with KHR architects in Copenhagen.
Heimdal College has achieved BREEAM Excellent Standard, largely due to these solutions and measures implemented.
Sustainability facts
- Zero emissions
- Heat pumps and optimised technical installations
- Electrochromatic glass
- Solar panels on building roof
- CPH installation on biogas