A-Lab Proposes Massive Eco-Cube to Enrich Norwegian Office Park

The Økern area of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/oslos-modern-trio-of-crystal-clear-towers-in-the-sky/" target="_blank">Oslo </a>has undergone a bit of a facelift recently and is poised for quite the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/new-oslo-central-train-stations-features-massive-rooftop-park/" target="_blank">transformation</a> in the near future. Norwegian architects, <a href="http://www.a-lab.no/" target="_blank">A-Lab</a> have proposed an incredible "Eco-Cube" that would liven up the industrial park with a sustainable <a href="http://inhabitat.com/one-ortakoy-a-sustainable-mixed-use-complex-in-istanbul/" target="_blank">mixed-use</a> building designed for both work and play. Lørenveien 68 stands to bridge the area's expansive <a href="http://inhabitat.com/a-m-a-headquarters-in-madrid-is-a-big-steely-building-with-a-tiny-footprint/" target="_blank">office</a> landscape as well as its established residential areas.

Lørenveien 68 is proposed for an inclined piece of earth out of respect for the existing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/less-is-more-at-norways-juvet-landscape-hotel/" target="_blank">landscape</a> and surrounding buildings. The slant is incorporated into the interior design through a hidden parking garage and technical facility located underground as well as ramped <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/northeast-corridor-receives-450-million-in-federal-funds-to-upgrade-rail-systems/" target="_blank">corridors</a> throughout the building's numerous levels.

Although the building is mainly composed of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/worlds-largest-solar-energy-office-building-opens-in-china/" target="_blank">office</a> areas, a great deal of space is dedicated to what the architects call "social zones". Large areas with floor-to-ceiling windows hug each corner of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/inside-the-m-cube-with-marc-baez/" target="_blank">cube</a>, providing natural light and breathtaking views at all hours of the day.

Some areas include terraces and gardens for relaxation and others contain cafeterias and gyms for recreation.

The social zones all connect to a central <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/snohettas-glittering-atrium-pavilion-caps-off-the-subterranean-911-museum/" target="_blank">atrium </a>inside the building's core, which serves as the social center for meetings, parties, and leisure activities.

A-Lab is also using the cube as their first experiment with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/building-information-modeling/" target="_blank">eco-BIM technology</a>. The relatively new and underused design program helped the firm create a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/biad-ufos-phoenix-international-media-center-swirls-around-the-competition-in-beijing/" target="_blank">double-layered</a> exterior that capitalizes on a natural heating and cooling system. The space between the facade the inner layer creates a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/coal-fired-power-plant-turned-eco-dome-in-london/" target="_blank">chimney effect</a> where natural fresh air is ventilated into offices while saving incredible amounts of energy. Because of this, the building's insulationallows for even more energy-saving <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-chip-house-wears-its-thermal-mass-on-its-puffy-sleeve/" target="_blank">thermal mass</a>.

Økern's combination of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ecocenter-san-franciscos-first-off-grid-commercial-building-is-up-and-running/" target="_blank">commercial office space</a> with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/architect-richard-rogers-transforms-barcelonas-las-arenas-bullfighting-ring-into-epic-shopping-center/" target="_blank">leisurely</a> additions and innovative design gives it the potential to become yet another stunning and innovative architectural hub in Oslo.