In 2015, Snøhetta was commissioned by Drøbak Montessori School to design their new secondary school facilities on a site surrounded by beautiful forest in Drøbak, Norway. It is the first Powerhouse educational building.
The design is derived from the energy concept, the Montessori pedagogy, the physical context and a tight budget. The architecture is considered a social and educational tool, with the Powerhouse concept as the main formative element.
The rectangular building is positioned close to the forest edges, creating a large outdoor play area in close connection to the surrounding nature. Passive measures such as a compact volume, high U-values and materials that are low in embodied energy, ensure the building´s low energy demand.
