About the project
Northern Homes is an interdisciplinary research project led by the Department of Technology and Safety at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The project focuses on the sustainable upgrading of the many so-called ‘reconstruction houses’ (gjenreisningshus) built in Northern Norway after World War II. These homes, constructed as part of a government rebuilding effort following the devastation of war, were built according to a limited number of standardized architectural designs.
Heritage and history
Today, many of these houses face significant upgrading needs, including roof replacements. This presents a unique opportunity to combine the preservation of historical and cultural heritage with advancing the green transition in Northern Norway. At the same time, such upgrades raise complex questions related to technical feasibility, economics, safety, as well as cultural and societal acceptance of new technologies. [More]
Integrating solar energy solutions
The main goal of Northern Homes is to develop solutions for integrating renewable energy sources in the form of solar energy systems, as part of the renovation of reconstruction houses. The project emphasizes sustainability from a social, environmental, and economic perspective. We aim to develop upgrade solutions that are both technically robust and architecturally adapted to the unique characteristics of the reconstruction houses.
As part of the project, we will install a building-integrated solar roof on a selected reconstruction house in Northern Norway, which will serve as the project's ‘pilot house.’ The installation will be carried out in collaboration with the homeowner, and the house will be monitored over time to collect data on energy production and consumption patterns. Additionally, we will conduct interviews with the homeowner to assess experiences and user satisfaction. The pilot house will serve as a living example of the possibilities inherent in sustainable upgrading and as a demonstration of how such solutions can be implemented in practice.
Community involvement
A central part of Northern Homes is to involve the local community, local businesses, and decision-makers. Through this, we aim to create local opportunities, strengthen expertise in solar energy, and promote knowledge about energy upgrading among local craftsmen. The project will organize meetings, workshops, and idea exchanges to stimulate learning and collaboration across sectors.
The reconstruction houses were a cornerstone in the rebuilding of Northern Norway after the war. With a sustainable upgrade, these houses can once again play an important role—this time as symbols of the green communities of the future.