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…
Inside Hawaii’s iconic pink palace: A stay at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Although there are 22 Marriott Luxury Collection resorts in the United States, only one is located in the beautiful state of Hawaii: The Royal Hawaiian Hotel Waikiki. This stunning "pink palace" holds significant importance both to travelers and residents of the island of O'ahu, symbolizing both Hawaiian elegance and architectural beauty. You can read about the fantastic history of this resort online, but experiencing it in person is an entirely different experience. The resort immerses you in not just the history of the building, but also teaches you essential lessons about Hawaiian history and culture.

As one of the first luxury hotels in Waikiki, the Royal Hawaiian has earned a hefty reputation due to its stunning pink architecture and elegant feel. Here's what you can expect during a stay at this luxury resort and what you don't want to miss.

Read more
This surprising state just ranked No. 1 for summer road trips
Minnesota offers road trippers endless adventures
Minneapolis

When it comes to epic summer road trips, most people think of California’s coastline or the wide-open highways of Texas. But the top spot for summer road trips this year? It’s Minnesota.

According to WalletHub’s latest ranking, Minnesota edged out all 50 states thanks to its winning combo of affordability, safety, and non-stop summer fun. The Land of 10,000 Lakes is a dream for outdoor lovers, with some of the country’s highest spending on parks and recreation and the third-most fairs and festivals per capita. Translation: there’s always something cool happening.

Read more
The perfect New England hotel just reopened in Kennebunkport — here’s why you should go
The beautiful Breakwater Inn reopened on July 1
Breakwater Inn

If you’re craving a classic New England summer, Kennebunkport, Maine, is calling. This charming coastal town is famous for its laid-back beaches, busy harbor, affordable lobster rolls, and small-town charm that feels straight out of a postcard. Long known as a summer retreat for the Bush family, Kennebunkport offers coastal elegance and the quintessential New England experience.

And now, there’s an even better reason to visit. The beloved Breakwater Inn just reopened on July 1, 2025, after a full-scale renovation that breathes new life into this historic waterfront property. Perched where the Kennebunk River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the inn has been thoughtfully refreshed while preserving its 1880s cottage charm.

Read more