An eco-chic retreat is taking shape at the end of a fjord roughly halfway between Trondheim and Tromsø.

Post-pandemic travel may become increasingly greener as hospitality companies double down on their commitments to safeguard our planet and tackle climate change. Six Senses has revealed ambitious plans for its first-ever project in Scandinavia, a carbon-neutral property set to open in 2024. This zero-waste development will be powered entirely by renewable energy: it’s being billed as the northernmost implementation of the Paris Agreement, and an example that carbon neutrality can not only be feasible for a high-end hotel at an ecologically sensitive site, but also profitable.

With 94 rooms, Six Senses Svart will combine a futuristic design and technological innovation with organic materials that use the least embedded energy. The name Svart, literally black and blue in old Norse, is a reference to the neighboring Svartisen glacier, which lies just within the Arctic Circle. Six Senses Svart will be raised on stilts above the waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord, at the base of the aforementioned glacier. This ensures minimal impact on both the land and seabed, and recalls traditional Norwegian fishermen’s cabins and fiskehjell — an A-shaped wooden structure used for drying catch. The hotel’s circular form allows guests to enjoy panoramic views of the Arctic landscape, and its modern interiors will highlight Nordic craftsmanship; corridors will be decorated with local artworks and artefacts.

Six Senses Svart is the first building to be designed and constructed to the highest energy-efficiency standard in the Northern Hemisphere. It will harvest enough solar energy to go back into the system, covering the hotel, adjacent operations, boat shuttles, and the energy needed to construct the building, making it independent from the power grid. It will also be self-sustaining, complete with its own waste and water management, recycling, and renewable infrastructure. Restaurants and bars at the property will work with existing sustainable fishing and farming operations as well as like-minded suppliers.

Pioneering wellness is central to the ethos of Six Senses, and the brand is aiming to push the boundaries even further with the introduction of the Svart Touch concept, by which non-invasive contactless technology will adapt each room to the guest’s state of mind and health. Treatments at the spa employ state-of-the-art equipment and wearable technology; in addition, a biohacking lounge will offer vitamin IVs.

Other communal spaces provide plenty of food for thought. The lines between food storage, prep, and dining are intentionally blurred at zero-waste dining venue The Marketplace. Guests can lounge in the Experience Center, where materials will be light and raw, with local fabrics giving a sense of place. At the Alchemy Bar, travelers will learn the rich history of regional healing techniques as they transform local flora and fauna into pampering scents and scrubs, while the Earth Lab will serve as a sustainability outreach space. There will also be a Svart Design Lab for guests to understand how new technologies can bring the hospitality sector closer to carbon neutrality. All in all, Six Senses Svart seems destined to be as inspiring as its phenomenal location.