ZEB Pilot Projects

ZEB Pilot Projects

To test and validate new solutions in real buildings, the ZEB Research Centre collaborated with industry and public partners to design, construct, and study a series of pilot projects across Norway. These buildings represent different typologies, climates, technologies, and ZEB ambition levels. Each project served as a full‑scale arena for testing low‑carbon materials, innovative energy systems, and integrated design strategies aimed at achieving zero emissions in operation and materials.

Below is an overview of the main pilot buildings developed through the ZEB Centre.

Heimdal Upper Secondary School (Heimdal VGS), Trondheim

  • A 25,000 m² school and sports complex designed with ambitious low‑carbon strategies, including advanced ventilation, high‑performance building envelope, and building‑integrated renewable energy.
  • ZEB ambition level: ZEB‑OM (20% of materials) 
  • Type: Education
  • Developer: Sør‑Trøndelag County
  • Architect: Rambøll/KHR
  • ZEB-partners involved: Skanska, Sør-Trøndelag Fylkeskommune, NTNU, SINTEF Community
  • Highlights: Electrochromic windows, solar PV, biogas + heat pump system, very low operational energy demand. 

Campus Evenstad (Statsbygg), Koppang

  • A pioneering campus building system combining passive‑house principles with local bioenergy, solar PV, and battery storage.
  • ZEB ambition level: ZEB‑COM 
  • Type: Education / Office
  • Developer: Statsbygg
  • Architect: Ola Roald Arkitektur
  • ZEB-partners involved: Statsbygg, SINTEF Byggforsk and NTNU
  • Highlights: Norway’s first building completed to ZEB‑COM level; integrated CHP (wood‑chip), solar thermal, solar PV, and advanced energy management. 

ZEB House Multikomfort, Larvik

  • A 200 m² single‑family house demonstrating ZEB‑OM principles with strong focus on architectural quality.
  • ZEB ambition level: ZEB‑OM 
  • Type: Residential
  • Developer: Brødrene Dahl / Optimera
  • Architect: Snøhetta
  • ZEB-partners involved: Brødrene Dahl, Snøhetta, Isola, NTNU and SINTEF Community
  • Highlights: Solar harvesting roof geometry, high‑performance envelope, smart materials (e.g., reflective foils). [Pilot projects - ZEB]

Powerhouse Brattørkaia, Trondheim

  • A 14,000 m² office building that produces more renewable energy than it consumes over its lifetime.
  • ZEB ambition level: ZEB‑COM÷EQ 
  • Type: Office
  • Developer: Entra
  • Architect: Snøhetta
  • ZEB-partners involved: Skanska, Snøhetta, Hydro/SAPA, Entra, NTNU, SINTEF Community
  • Highlights: Landmark “energy‑positive” design with extensive BIPV, optimized daylighting, and highly efficient systems.

Powerhouse Kjørbo, Sandvika

  • Two renovated office blocks transformed into energy‑positive buildings through deep retrofit.
  • ZEB ambition level: ZEB‑COM÷EQ 
  • Type: Office
  • Developer: Entra
  • Architect: Snøhetta
  • ZEB-partners involved: Skanska, Snøhetta, Hydro, NTNU, SINTEF Community
  • Highlights: One of the world’s first energy‑positive refurbishment projects; extensive BIPV; advanced HVAC concepts.

Skarpnes Residential Development, Arendal

  • A small housing development testing ZEB‑O requirements in detached houses.
  • ZEB ambition level: ZEB‑O 
  • Type: Residential (5 houses)
  • Developer: Skanska
  • Architect: Rambøll
  • ZEB-partners involved: Skanska, Multiconsult, NTNU and SINTEF Community
  • Highlights: Highly insulated envelopes, balanced ventilation, rooftop PV; demonstration of ZEB‑O in suburban housing.

Zero Village Bergen

  • A large mixed‑use residential development designed with ZEB‑O and ZEB‑OM ambitions (building‑specific). This project was not realized during centre funding duration, but was still used in research.
  • Type: Neighbourhood-scale pilot
  • Developer: ByBo
  • Architect: Snøhetta
  • ZEB-partners involved: ByBo, Snøhetta, Multiconsult, NTNU and SINTEF Community
  • Highlights: 500–800 dwellings, shared energy centre, integrated mobility solutions; showcases neighbourhood‑scale ZEB planning. 

Visund, Haakonsvern (Bergen)

  • A defence-sector office building demonstrating ZEB ambitions in a coastal context.
  • ZEB ambition level: ZEB-O÷EQ
  • Type: Office (Defence)
  • Developer: Forsvarsbygg
  • Architect: LINK Arkitektur
  • ZEB-partners involved: Forsvarsbygg, Multiconcult, NTNU and SINTEF Community
  • Highlights: Advanced envelope design and balanced ventilation; part of the documented ZEB pilot set. 

More information

Legacy and Impact

The ZEB pilot buildings provided essential real‑world insights into materials, energy systems, user interaction, and integrated design strategies for zero‑emission buildings. These experiences formed a key foundation for the subsequent ZEN Research Centre, where similar methodologies were extended to zero emission neighbourhoods and more complex urban systems.