International. Oslo Airport has been listed as the greenest and greenest in the world, following the opening of its new terminal last April.
This new building increased passenger capacity to 32 million per year and has become the first to receive the "Excellent" seal in the BREEAM classification, a LEED-like seal that also embraces sustainable buildings, but is most often used in Europe.
"At Oslo Airport, the focus is on green materials, innovative energy solutions and waste management," says Henriette Berg, WSP project manager in Norway, one of the organizations involved in the certification process.
The snow-based cooling system is explained as one of its biggest attractions. In the summer season they use the thaw to cool the building, collected during the winter season, stored in a warehouse and insulated with sawdust. With the thaw they cool the building and reduce energy consumption during peak hours. During the winter, the airport uses thermal energy for heating.
The note explains that the architects relied on a holistic approach to minimize the carbon footprint. Not only do the walls and windows maximize the use of daylight – a giant challenge in the Scandinavian winter – but locally sourced natural materials such as stone and wood from sustainable forests are used generously throughout the building.
