In just 18 months, Norwegian furniture manufacturer Vestre has completed ‘The Plus,’ the world’s most environmentally friendly furniture factory. With an investment nearing 300 million Norwegian kroner, this 7,000-square-meter facility marks the largest investment in Norway’s furniture industry in decades. The Plus is set to become a global benchmark for sustainable, efficient production and a destination for visitors worldwide.
Designed by BIG, The Plus integrates factory functions seamlessly with its architectural form. The building features four production wings — the paint factory, wood processing, assembly, and warehouse — arranged around a central courtyard. At the heart of The Plus lies the visitor center, serving school groups, students, companies, organizations, and individual guests alike.
The Plus sets new industrial sustainability standards by prioritizing environmental responsibility, transparency, and social well-being. From the building’s design to its surrounding environment, every aspect reflects careful consideration — ensuring healthy working conditions, promoting electrified heavy transport, and managing the forest areas around the site.
The Plus aims to become the world’s first industrial project to achieve the highest BREEAM rating while meeting the criteria for outstanding architecture—defined as international innovation. Less than 1% of new non-residential buildings reach this level, and currently, no Nordic industrial projects come close to this distinction. Vestre is determined to prove that industrial facilities can be global leaders in environmental innovation.
The building consumes 60% less energy than comparable traditional factories and emits 55% fewer greenhouse gases. Its green roof hosts approximately 900 solar panels, producing around 250,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually. Additionally, the factory recycles 90-95% of its production water. The Plus meets the Paris Proof targets for energy efficiency and on-site energy generation.
The factory’s roof is covered with natural forest vegetation, coexisting with solar panels that power the building. Open year-round, the roof offers visitors a unique chance to get close to the factory, observe production processes, and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. Large windows in the four wing buildings provide views into various parts of the factory throughout the day. Visitors can ascend the outer slope to enjoy panoramic views of the building’s interior and the nearby pine forest, which features an extensive network of hiking trails.
The Plus is fully transparent and, unlike traditional industrial buildings, features no fences, barriers, or restricted areas. Instead, it honors the Norwegian ‘Allemannsvetten’ — the right to roam. Vestre aims to create the world’s most open and transparent factory to inspire greater interest in industry, technology, and sustainable production. Visitors can explore the Vestre Energy Center and Clean Water Center to learn about energy generation, recovery, water purification, and the lifecycle of production materials. Openness and sharing are core to Vestre’s mission to drive global progress.
At the official opening ceremony, Vestre welcomed over 800 special guests to the Forest Festival, featuring performances by Norwegian artist Dagny, who has 450 million views, and Swedish band Mamas, among others. Guests also had ample opportunity to explore the intricacies that make this the world’s most sustainable furniture factory. Bjarke Ingels and his team from BIG presented the factory, its design process, and architectural vision.
Project Information
Architectural Design: Bjarke Ingels Group
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Einar Aslaksen
Location: Norway
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