House inside a greenhouse
In many countries, building a house inside a greenhouse might be considered crazy. But if you live in Norway, enjoy gardening, and work in the architecture sector, it might be a good idea.
Architect Margit Klev from the studio Outline Arkitekter designed an innovative family project: “Hus i Drivhus” (House in a Greenhouse). A home that redefines sustainability and energy efficiency in an extreme environment.
The central idea is simple but brilliant. A conventional house that is wrapped by a greenhouse structure. This “climate shield” protects the home and creates a stable microclimate.
The indoor temperature remains constant, reducing the need for heating in winter and cooling in summer, and you can also grow your vegetables or fruits—all in one! It’s that simple.
The house not only offers comfort and energy savings, but it also provides the opportunity to reconnect with nature and enjoy fresh home-grown food.
The building combines traditional Norwegian construction techniques with a greenhouse structure over eleven meters high and a surface area of 380 square meters, creating an intermediate climate zone.
The greenhouse is just the shell; the house itself—although it shares some common areas—was mainly built and designed independently in terms of enclosures, insulation, and climate control system.
It’s more than a building; the ventilation system of the greenhouse and the house itself are designed to make the most of natural light and fresh air, reducing the need for climate control—pure energy savings!
Not only is construction becoming more sustainable, but also many new ecological projects are emerging to benefit the environment.
Living in a house inside a greenhouse in Norway offers several advantages:
- Possibility to grow food year-round: It is possible to grow fruits and vegetables that would not normally grow in cold climates.
- Protection against inclement weather: The greenhouse structure protects the house from snow, wind, and other adverse weather elements.
- Energy efficiency and heat savings: The greenhouse helps maintain a warmer temperature inside the house. Even in winter, the temperature inside the greenhouse can be significantly warmer than outside.
The temperature inside the greenhouse can reach 20°C, even when the outside temperature is -5°C.
- Living in a magical space: Being in a glass space feels magical. You can see the change during the seasons.
- Additional space: The greenhouse creates a year-round livable indoor garden.
- Sustainability: Reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future.
One of the most outstanding features of this design is its ability to create a stable microclimate, protecting the home from inclement weather and reducing the need for conventional heating and cooling systems.
According to the architect … “In Norway, the cold is intense. A greenhouse extends the summer and allows me to grow all year round. Thus, I can enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces equally, and enjoy gardening.”
This project by Outline Arkitekter poses a fundamental question: could “greenhouse architecture” be the key to a greener and more sustainable future in extremely cold climates? The answer seems to be a resounding yes.
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