The most environmentally friendly furniture production in the world
In Magnor, Norway, not far from the Swedish border, one building stands out in particular. Surrounded by dense forests, the production facility "The Plus" of the Norwegian furniture manufacturer Vestre is located there. A view from above reveals why the new building bears this name, as it resembles a large plus sign. Besides its unique structure, "The Plus" is especially impressive because it is the first Nordic building of its kind to be awarded the highest BREEAM classification, "BREEAM Outstanding," thus making it an international model project in history.
The World's Most Environmentally Friendly Furniture Factory:
The architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), together with Vestre, has created what they claim is the "world's most environmentally friendly furniture factory" with "The Plus," a production facility opened in 2022. This view is shared by the jury of the Danish Design Awards, who described the production site as a sustainable solution committed to protecting biodiversity. The project represents a creative way of uniting nature and people and won the Danish award in the "Liveable Cities" category. In neighboring Sweden, "The Plus" also won awards in the "Architecture of the Year" and "Sustainability Award of the Year" categories. The outstanding architecture harmonizes with the industrial background of the furniture manufacturer and the surrounding natural environment.
Project Features:
The building, with its distinctive form, was constructed according to Passive House standards. This means that its energy needs are largely met by solar radiation and the heat emitted by the equipment and occupants within. Efforts were made to address the greatest challenges of our time—climate change and the loss of biodiversity—in the best possible way. Vestre, as an industrial company, aims to take a leading role and set an example through its sustainable use of natural resources. This also applies to VELUX Commercial, which intends to leverage its expertise in daylight and ventilation solutions to actively promote sustainable development in the construction industry.
The planned solid wood construction, the use of low-carbon cement and recycled reinforced concrete, as well as fossil- and emission-free machinery, support the project. The solar panels installed on the roof and grounds produce approximately 250,000 kWh annually. Excess heat generated during production is used to heat the building, in accordance with passive house principles.
VELUX Modular Skylights provide ample daylight.
A total of 36 VELUX Modular Skylights were installed in the roof structure, comprising 24 operable and 12 fixed modules. These skylights, which achieve a U-value of 0.6 W/m²K, also allow for demand-controlled air exchange and a comfortable indoor climate thanks to their operable modules. The 12 skylights, each consisting of three modules, ensure sufficient fresh air and daylight in all four production areas of the factory. In case of emergency, smoke and heat exhaust ventilation (SHEV) modules provide the necessary safety for employees and the building. The four wings – the wood factory, the paint factory, the assembly area, and the warehouse – are arranged around a central courtyard at the heart of the building, enabling an open and efficient workflow.
Jonas Nykänen, project manager at general contractor Ø. M. Fjeld, has had positive experiences with VELUX Commercial products and services in the past: “VELUX Commercial is reliable and delivers outstanding quality. They offer excellent products, comprehensive documentation, and provide quick support and responses to any technical questions.” For “The Plus,” extra-large modules were used, serving as an elegant solution for comfort ventilation and effective smoke extraction. VELUX Commercial installation teams handled the installation of the skylights.
VELUX Commercial Modular Skylights (VMS) are characterized by their slim profiles, which optimally maximize the amount of daylight entering buildings. The operable modules provide fresh air and a comfortable indoor climate, while smoke and heat exhaust ventilation (SHEV) panels enable smoke extraction in accordance with EN 12101-2. This ensures safety and comfort in interior spaces at all times. In particular, VMS are suitable for quick, easy, and trouble-free installation in almost all weather conditions, thus allowing for rapid sealing of the building envelope.