Experimental cold climate house built in Japan
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Sectional view of the experimental house
Roof Plan of the experimental house
Plan diagram of the experimental house
The bathroom is placed within a glass area in the corner of the building
The Japanese larch frame is exposed through the translucent material
The semi-transparent facade material permits natural indoor lighting throughout the year
The semi-transparent facade encourages natural daylight working hours for occupants
The experimental house construct recalls a barn typology
The experimental house is located on the 185,000 sq.mt. (1,991,323.4 sq. ft.) Même Meadows research facility
The Même experimental house will continue to test the limits of both internal and external architecture in extreme environments
The Même experimental house is 79.5 sq. mt. (855.7 sq.ft.) in area
Use of radiant floor heat in the Même experimental house, according to Kengo Kuma, should only be necessary every few days
The building has a luminous glow when viewed from the outside at night
The customized membrane is composed of polyester fluorocarbon tarp on the outside with a glass-fiber cloth membrane on the interior, and finally, polyester insulation from recycled PET bottles in-between
A central fireplace radiates heat throughout the entire space
The structure is designed for cold climates and is based upon the local “Chise” (House of the Earth)
The house uses modern materials for an insulated double skin membrane that promotes convection and maintains a comfortable internal environment
The design encourages natural daylight working hours for the occupants, in addition to providing a luminous glow when the building is viewed from the outside at night
Kengo Kuma & Associates has designed an experimental house in Hokkaido, Japan called "Même"
Article Summary
Japanese architectural firm Kengo Kuma & Associates recently demonstrated its ethos of design inspired by light and nature with an experimental house in Hokkaido called "Même." The structure is designed for cold climates and whilst based upon the local Ainu people's “Chise” (House of the Earth), it uses modern materials for an insulated double skin membrane that promotes convection and maintains a comfortable internal environment due to heat circulation from its continually lit fire.
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