The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
@ BIG
The Plus
@ BIG
The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
@ BIG
The Plus
@ BIG
The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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The Plus
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@ BIG
The Plus
The Plus
THE PLUS
MAGNOR, NORWAY
BIG
2022
Surrounded by pine trees the new furniture factory for Vestre is located in a Norwegian village. Being designed based on principles of renewable and clean energy the project is known as the world’s most environmentally friendly factory.
A Norwegian firm Vestre is known for the manufacture of sustainable urban furniture. The firm is committed to producing social, environmental, and financially accessible furniture for urban meeting places. Moreover, it is committed to nine of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals including climate action, reduced inequalities and responsible consumption and products.
The new factory building of Vestre exists together with a public park used for hiking and camping. The shape resembles a huge plus and has four wings dedicated to different production halls: a warehouse, colour factory, wood factory and assembly. All functions connect at the central intersection. Different coloured paths work as a flowchart, leading the working staff and the visitors. Exhibition centers of Vestre Energy and Clean Water Center are located in the heart of the Plus. These parts serve as an informative hub creating a possibility for visitors to learn about clean energy, water and circular design. The logistic office managing the logistical traffic is connected to all four production halls to achieve maximum efficiency. The circular courtyard serves as a display of production, allowing visitors to observe different stages of production and experience furniture collections altering every season.
The wings of the factory have alternating ceiling corners shaping the inclined roofs and creating views between the factory and the green environment. The sloped roof also serves as a hiking pathway for visitors and staff and the green roof terrace is designed with accessibility in mind, so the visitors with wheelchairs and strollers could also enjoy the pathway and surrounding green scene.
The building is constructed from local mass timber, low-carbon concrete and recycled steel and achieved the highest environmental BREEAM Outstanding rating. The production halls are designed as column-free spaces and built with a 21-meter spanning. 900 photovoltaic panels are placed on the rooftop to gain most of the solar energy. Moreover, the energy demand of the building is 90% lower than a conventional factory thanks to effective construction methods, choice of materials, rainwater collection systems, heat and cooling systems, green roofs and electric vehicles.
