{"id":371216,"date":"2026-04-09T12:53:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T12:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/371216\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:53:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T12:53:10","slug":"snohetta-adds-positive-energy-building-to-dunkirk-port","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/371216\/","title":{"rendered":"Sn\u00f8hetta adds &#8220;positive energy building&#8221; to Dunkirk port"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    <img style=\"width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"852\" height=\"479\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ecosysteme-d-snohetta-dunkirk_dezeen_2364_hero_0-852x479.jpg\" class=\"attachment-article_large_image size-article_large_image nolazy\" alt=\"\u00c9cosyst\u00e8me D energy hub by Sn\u00f8hetta and Santer Vanhoof\" decoding=\"async\"  data-pin-nopin=\"true\"\/>    <\/p>\n<p>A faceted roof encircles a central <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/courtyards\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">courtyard<\/a> at \u00c9cosyst\u00e8me D, an energy hub and engineering workspace in Dunkirk designed by architecture studios <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/snohetta\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sn\u00f8hetta<\/a> and Santer Vanhoof.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.snohetta.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sn\u00f8hetta<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.santerarchitectes.fr\/en\/agence\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Santer Vanhoof<\/a>, the 1,200 square metres of photovoltaic panels that top the angular roof produce more energy than the building consumes. The surplus energy is distributed to the surrounding port development, which is currently being transformed into an innovation hub.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2314127 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ecosysteme-d-snohetta-dunkirk_dezeen_2364_col_4-852x568.jpg\" alt=\"\u00c9cosyst\u00e8me D energy hub by Sn\u00f8hetta and Santer Vanhoof\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1576\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>\u00c9cosyst\u00e8me D is an energy hub and workspace in Dunkirk<\/p>\n<p>Made from a wooden structure clad in metal panels, \u00c9cosyst\u00e8me D contains a technology hall, an incubator, a training centre, a showroom and workspaces.<\/p>\n<p>It was designed to facilitate research and training in renewable energy through collaborations with industrial and institutional partners, including engineering schools and companies committed to decarbonisation.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2314123 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ecosysteme-d-snohetta-dunkirk_dezeen_2364_col_0-852x568.jpg\" alt=\"\u00c9cosyst\u00e8me D by Sn\u00f8hetta and Santer Vanhoof\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1576\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>Its exterior is clad in metal<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Rooted in the port landscape of Dunkirk, \u00c9cosyst\u00e8me D is a positive energy building designed to serve as a catalyst for energy transition,&#8221; said Sn\u00f8hetta.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The entire structure is part of a low-impact, bioclimatic architecture that embodies innovation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/2021\/05\/04\/morris-company-nursery-energy-hub-elephant-castle-london\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"191\" height=\"191\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/morris-company-nursery-energy-hub-elephant-castle-london_dezeen_2364_sq_0-191x191.jpg\" class=\"excludeLightbox wp-post-image\" alt=\"Elephant and Castle energy hub by Morris + Company\u00a0\" decoding=\"async\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p> Morris + Company combines energy hub and nursery in block that is &#8220;part elephant and part castle&#8221;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Designed to minimise energy needs, the building was arranged around a central planted courtyard that lets light and natural ventilation in.<\/p>\n<p>A wide staircase with stepped seats rises around the courtyard, connecting the training centre, workspaces, labs, and administrative spaces.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2314134 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ecosysteme-d-snohetta-dunkirk_dezeen_2364_col_15-852x638.jpg\" alt=\"Energy hub in Dunkirk by Sn\u00f8hetta and Santer Vanhoof\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1771\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>Its faceted roof was topped with photovoltaic panels<\/p>\n<p>The shape of \u00c9cosyst\u00e8me D was designed around the prevailing winds of the port location, with an angular roof that rises and falls between nine and 18 metres tall depending on the needs of the interior space below.<\/p>\n<p>Overhanging roofs help shade the interior, and the building&#8217;s envelope was designed to have a high thermal performance, including its triple-glazed windows, insulation and joinery.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2314133 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ecosysteme-d-snohetta-dunkirk_dezeen_2364_col_14-852x568.jpg\" alt=\"Courtyard at an energy hub in Dunkirk\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1576\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>A planted courtyard at the centre helps let light into the building<\/p>\n<p>Other projects recently completed by Sn\u00f8hetta include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/2026\/03\/13\/glasshouse-theatre-snohetta-blight-rayner\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a theatre in Australia cloaked in an undulated glass facade<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/2026\/03\/25\/snohetta-theatre-nanterre-amandiers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a theatre in France that was renovated to have a tilted glass hall<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The photography is by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nicolasfussler.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nicolas Fussler<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>                New! 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