Design and future of energy-efficient office buildings in Norway

Design of different energy-efficient office buildings in Norway with different energy concepts were studied with a number of different shapes. With the help of dynamic computer simulations of energy and indoor environment for the various building concepts the impact the different parameters on energy use and indoor environment was analyzed. A focus was put on finding those parameter that have the largest potential to enhance future energy efficiency in office buildings. The results show that significant efforts are needed in order to bring Norwegian buildings up to high energy efficiency levels. In particular, significant improvements of construction details regarding insulation levels and air tightness of the envelope are needed. The importance of climate consideration and level of details became obvious. Here, national and international efforts are needed in order to make building regulations more effective and its implementation successful.