Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

This Glacial Hotel in the Arctic Circle Uses Almost No Energy

svart arctic circle hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Arctic Circle has sprouted forward-concept hotels beyond the realm of earthly design. Svart is no different.

Translating to colors “black” and “blue” in Norwegian, Svart was crafted by Snøhetta Designs to sit amid the deep blue-black Svartisen glacier. Built to use 85 percent less energy than a comparable modern resort, Svart may be pulling from ancestral roots for its nam,e but its bones are hyper-futuristic.

Recommended Videos

Built in compliance with the Powerhouse standard, Svart doesn’t only save juice, but produces its own. WTF is Powerhouse? A collaboration between Snøhetta, Entra, Skanska, the ZERO Emission Resource Organization, and Asplan Viak (aka a bunch of design firms and organizations that want to pioneer sustainable tourism).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Architects for Svart conducted an extensive mapping of how solar radiation behaves in relation to mountainous context to optimize the harvest of energy for this hotel location. The results prompted the hotel’s circular design and strategic placement of rooms, restaurants, and terraces. Meanwhile, the roof is clad with solar panels that were produced with clean hydro energy, shrinking the carbon footprint of Svart even further.

In the course of 60 years, Svart will generate more renewable energy than the total amount required to sustain daily operations and replace materials —a first for the region.

“Building in such a precious environment comes with some clear obligations in terms of preserving the natural beauty and the fauna and flora of the site,” says founding partner at Snøhetta, Kjetil Trædal Thorsen. “It was important for us to design a sustainable building that will leave a minimal environmental footprint on this beautiful Northern nature. Building an energy positive and low-impact hotel is an essential factor to create a sustainable tourist destination respecting the unique features of the plot; the rare plant species, the clean waters and the blue ice of the Svartisen glacier.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Clandestine energy-savers double as modern aesthetic touches, like the façade, which protects against from the sun in the summer and allows for maximum insulation of the sun’s thermal energy in the winter.

Materials requiring minimal production, transport, building, and replacement have also been used to reach Powerhouse standards (the architectural term for this is “low embodied energy materials”). This means things derived from fossil fuels were a big no-no.

“The use of wood in construction and cladding minimizes the environmental impact of the building, and typically energy-intensive materials such as structural steel and concrete have been avoided as much as possible,” architects say. The hotel also uses geothermal wells that are connected to heat pumps, which heat the building.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Most noticeable from the outside is Svart’s circular shape, which is reminiscent of a sci-fi location on an unpopulated planet (or Apple’s new campus, whichever). Panoramic views of the Almlifjellet mountains, Holandsfjorden fjord water, and glowing Northern Lights envelope visitors in the solace and peace of the region. You can bet we’ll add it to our list of favorite minimalist hotels in Scandinavia. 

The building was also inspired by a traditional rorbue house used seasonally by local fisherman and shaped like a drying fish, or fiskehjell. Weather-resistant wooden poles form the supporting base, stretching below the surface of the fjord and leaving a minimal print in the land. From a distance, one might believe Svort was a naturally-occurring phenomenon grown organically from the land.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Visitors can soon venture from the floating Eden for a day on the town as Svart is working to get an energy-neutral boat to shuttle visitors to and from the city of Bodø, known as “the gateway to the great north.” While you’re up there, visit the World’s Largest Underwater Restaurant.

Svart is a project created in collaboration with Arctic Adventure of Norway, a leader in sustainable tourism in Northern Norway. Well, check mate, Norway. We’re on our way.

Jahla Seppanen
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
Biscuit Basin is closed — here’s what to do in Yellowstone instead
Summer fun at Yellowstone is going to look different this year
Overhead photo of a geyser at Yellowstone National Park

Visiting Yellowstone National Park may look a bit different this year with the continued closure of Biscuit Basin, but it's still going to be worth it. There are so many other geysers, canyons, and wildlife to see that it would be a huge mistake to miss out on it this summer just because the path to Old Faithful is still under construction. Here's everything you need to know when entering Yellowstone this summer, and how to make the most of it according to the National Park Service.
Making the most of Yellowstone this Summer

While Biscuit Basin faces reconstruction efforts after the hydraulic explosion that happened last year, you'll still be able to enjoy wildlife hotspots like the Lamar Valley, which is nicknamed "America's Serengeti" for all of the animals you can see. Yellowstone Lake will also be open for boating or fishing excursions. The Yellowstone Lake hotel and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is open this summer if you don't want to camp, and a lot of the trails around Mammoth Hot Springs will be open too. You can also see Norris Geyser Basin, which is park's hottest and oldest.
No need to worry about timed entry
One of the best parts about Yellowstone National Park is that they don't require timed entry reservations like Yosemite National Park or Glacier National Park. Summer is still pretty busy, so be prepared for crowds, but the park is 2.2 million acres in total, so there's a fair amount of space to spread out. Still, you will need a park entrance pass to get through the gate.
Make your reservations in advance
Campgrounds do require reservations in advance, so make sure that you book dates before you go. If you plan to do any fishing or boating in the area, make sure that you also snag yourself a fishing or boating permit. You will also need to submit your boat for an inspection.
Expect terrible cell service
Personally, I don't know why you'd want to be on your phone with Yellowstone out your window, but keep in mind that cell service is limited here. I recommend downloading maps and the NPS app beforehand, as well as any road closure information. These closures can be sudden due to the unpredictability of Yellowstone's weather, so prepare in advance by packing a warm jacket, rain gear, and layers when you go.
Be responsible, especially around wildlife
While driving, be sure to observe posted speed limits and use the pullouts to watch wildlife, making sure that all four of your tires are fully to the right of the white line. This will allow other cars to pass easily. Seeing wildlife up close is amazing, but remember to stay a minimum of 25 yards away from all wildlife, and 100 yards away from bears, wolves, and cougars.  Elks are also dangerous, so don't even think about holding your baby near one.

Read more
Inside the new era of aircraft interiors, according to a design expert
STARLUX aviation cabin

Air travel can often seem like a means to an end. You must journey hundreds or thousands of miles, and comfort takes a back seat to reaching your destination. But cramped, crowded cabins can feel like riding a school bus, making a flight something to endure rather than enjoy.

But what if an airplane cabin were a tailored space akin to a luxury hotel? What if designers considered every aspect, from the lighting to the dimensions to the materials, to ensure the in-flight experience was something to look forward to?

Read more
Utah ski resort set for largest expansion ever
Deer Valley Resort will have 7 new chairlifts and over 80 new runs and more this season
View from the top of a trail at Deer Valley

Deer Valley Resort in Utah, one of our favorite ski resorts, is gearing up to deliver the largest ski resort expansion in history, just in time for the 2025/26 season. As a part of the resort's "Expanded Excellence" initiative, this project aims to expand the skiable terrain to 5,726 acres, upgrade infrastructure, and eventually redo the Snow Park base area. Here's what you need to know about the upgrades.

“With multiple large-scale projects underway, we’re strategically focusing our efforts to ensure success at every step,” said Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley Resort. “This winter’s terrain expansion — more than doubling our skiable acreage — is a once-in-a-generation transformation, and it deserves our full attention."

Read more