Bygdøy Allé 2, an iconic office building originally designed by Erling Viksjø in 1960, has been redesigned and revitalised by ELEMENT Arkitekter in a way that is both thoughtful and forward-thinking. The refurbishment project has been designed to meet the demands of contemporary office environments while honouring the building's historic character.

The 14-storey, 17,000 m² high-rise building presented a number of significant challenges. The numerous ad hoc renovations that had been carried out over the years had resulted in a loss of architectural coherence. In addition, the building's inadequate daylighting and blocked views of the surrounding park and cityscape were having a negative impact on the quality of the workspace experience. The vision of ELEMENT Arkitekter was to restore the building's original design ethos while transforming it into a high-performance, sustainable workplace.

The project required customisation to fit the original window dimensions, while ensuring that the new elements blended seamlessly with the renovated interior.

The renovation project aimed to enhance the building's functionality and natural light. By widening corridors, raising ceilings and introducing open floor plans, the building now offers a vibrant and bright environment. As the façade is listed and exterior alterations are prohibited, the interior blinds provide an effective solution for optimising thermal performance without compromising the building's heritage.

ELEMENT Architects worked closely with Kvadrat Shade to achieve this. A significant aspect of this transformation is the installation of approximately 1,400 bespoke Kvadrat Shade roller blinds. The sleek, elegant profiles align with the architectural vision while delivering exceptional functionality.

Roller blinds for improved comfort, energy efficiency and aesthetics

The light-coloured Clearview roller blind textile, installed in offices, meeting rooms and the lobby, reduces glare while preserving a good view towards the outside. This contributes to both occupant comfort and the building's high aesthetic standards. The metallised backing of the blinds minimises unwanted heat gain, making them a vital component in achieving energy efficiency goals.

Sustainability was a key objective in the refurbishment, with the goal of attaining BREEAM In-Use 'Very Good' certification. A significant enhancement was the replacement of the building's original double-glazed windows with triple glazing, which has considerably improved insulation.

The combination of triple glazing and Kvadrat Shade's Clearview textile resulted in a tangible improvement in energy efficiency.

Insulation performance (Improved U-value): The U-value, which measures the effectiveness of a building component in preventing heat loss, saw a notable improvement from 0.80 to 0.61 W/m². An easy improvement of 24% just by lowering the blinds. A lower U-value indicates enhanced insulation, thereby reducing the necessity for heating during the winter months.

Solar control performance (g-total reduction): The g-value, which measures the amount of solar heat entering a building, achieved a 54% reduction. A reduction in solar heat gain helps to maintain a cooler indoor environment in the summer months, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning.

These upgrades not only enhance occupant visual and thermal comfort but also contribute to reducing the building's overall energy consumption, in line with the project's sustainability objectives.