MAGNOR, Norway - The "most sustainable furniture plant" in the world is almost ready for operation.

Unveiled in July 2020, Vestre furniture's $31 million, 70,000-square-foot "The Plus" - designed by Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) - is located in the middle of a Norwegian forest. 

Locally-sourced timber, low-carbon concrete, and recycled steel are being used to construct the plant. More than 1,200 solar panels and geothermal wells will serve as the facility's power supply. Excess heat created while manufacturing furniture will be used to warm the building.

The factory will generate 50 percent fewer greenhouse emissions than a conventional factory of the same size, says BIG. Smart robots self-driving electric Tesla trucks "will be employed throughout the whole factory" and can be controlled via tablet.

Construction is well underway - with the structural framework already complete. The building should complete in December.
 
Vestre says the plant will make it "the world's most sustainable furniture manufacturer." Vestre was established in 1947 and operates manufacturing facilities in Oslo, Norway and Torsby, Sweden.