The house is built in one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan. In contrast to the surrounding houses, where the floor is raised from the ground and the roof is steeply pitched to reduce the eaves, the floor level is aligned with the ground to take advantage of the geothermal effect, and the roof covers a large open space (dirt floor) that is almost the same area as the interior. The roof is made of high-strength, transparent polycarbonate with a gentle slope, allowing light to penetrate the interior and enjoying the insulating effect of the accumulated snow.

Japan | Nagano

Jutakutokushu November 2013 issue 114P