Snøhetta to redevelop Hydro's new headquarters at Vækerø
Since 1905, Norway-based Hydro has turned natural resources into valuable products for people and businesses, with 33,000 employees in more than 140 locations and 40 countries. The corporate head office is located at Vækerø in Oslo, where about 750 employees work. By moving out of their current location, but only across the street, Hydro can develop a workplace for the future, but at the same time stay where they have been located for over 40 years. The new office will be transformed with completely new solutions that facilitate new ways of working: flexible but also adapted to diverse needs.
"We're thrilled to take on this significant project that will impact many Hydro employees. We approach it with respect for the company's important history and for pushing limits with high sustainability goals. With our longstanding successful history of working together, Snøhetta is confident this project will prove to be an international showcase of how innovative transformation and high-quality sustainable design should be," says Marius Hauland Næss, Snøhetta's Director of Acquisition and Business Development in the Nordics.
Sustainability ambitions
Hydro's ambition with the interior architecture project is to enhance the functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability of the new headquarters at Vækerø, Oslo, while reflecting Hydro's brand identity and culture. Sustainable material choices and energy efficiency are important guiding principles.
The scope of the transformation extends over four floors and 16,500 sqm. Snøhetta aims to reduce the CO2 footprint by reusing existing building elements, identifying optimal solutions for preservation, and material reuse from any demolished structures to make way for new developments. In this context, Hydro is also looking into activating the park at Vækerø Manor to a greater extent, so that employees can be offered more activities both during and outside working hours, and revitalize Campus Vækerø.
Longstanding relationship
"The way we will work in the future, means that one size does not fit all. We will tailor solutions for a modern workplace where employees have the flexibility, tools, and surroundings to thrive. I am excited that we have selected Snøhetta as interior architects for this project. Snøhetta is a partner we believe will create flexible and sustainable solutions for Hydro, never compromising on aesthetics," says Hilde Vestheim Nordh, Executive Vice President for People and HSE in Hydro.
Snøhetta and Hydro have a longstanding relationship. Snøhetta developed Hydro's visual identity, including a new logo, launched in 2018. Hydro Extrusions' (former SAPA) headquarters was also designed by Snøhetta.