Extreme measures: Cabin built for seasonal living

06 : 01 : 2014 Hakuba : Japan : Naka Architects

Hakuba, Japan – Ski resort Hakuba in northern Japan has over 11 metres of snow in the winter, and is a green valley filled with blooms in the summer. To accommodate the extremes in weather, Naka Architects built a villa with a changeable fourth wall.

From one side, the home looks like a traditional villa, but when approached from the opposite side, it appears to be missing a wall. One side of the house has a transparent wall made of polycarbonate that is strong enough to withstand the heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures of the colder months, while thermal floor heating and piles of snow act as insulation. When the snow thaws, the wall can be removed to create an open-air room.

The modifications allow vast amounts of light throughout the seasons as well as a sense of immersion and connection with surrounding nature that traditional homes don’t provide.

LS:N Global will examine how society is responding to extremes of all sorts in our forthcoming Trend Briefing, The Polarity Paradox. To buy tickets, visit our Eventbrite page or email enquiries to Alena Joyette.

Discover More Daily Signals
Why Apple is leaning into artisanal charm for 2025 festive push

Daily Signals

Why Apple is leaning into artisanal charm for 2025 festive push

Apple’s 2025 Christmas campaign, A Critter Carol, puts human craftsmanship front and centre.
Technology : Advertising : Design
ISPO 2025: Innovation, inclusion and community drive sport’s next chapter

Daily Signals

ISPO 2025: Innovation, inclusion and community drive sport’s next chapter

At ISPO 2025 in Munich, talks, panels, activations and events spanned the full value chain of sport – from materials and manufacturing to brands an...
Global Events : Sport : Community
Young Americans drive growth across emerging social media platforms

Daily Signals

Young Americans drive growth across emerging social media platforms

A new Pew Research Center survey shows that while YouTube and Facebook continue to dominate the US social media landscape, younger u...
YouTube : Social Media : Facebook
Why smartphone-free is becoming a Christmas gift rule for kids

Daily Signals

Why smartphone-free is becoming a Christmas gift rule for kids

UK grassroots organisation Smartphone Free Childhood has launched a nationwide Christmas campaign urging parents to delay giving smartphones to the...
Advertising : Technology : Youth
Adolescence extends to early 30s, new five-stage brain map reveals

Daily Signals

Adolescence extends to early 30s, new five-stage brain map reveals

New research mapping how the brain’s wiring shifts across life suggests adolescence doesn’t end until around age 32.
Generations : Adolescence : Life Stages
Stat: Security concerns push UK shoppers to abandon digital transactions

Daily Signals

Stat: Security concerns push UK shoppers to abandon digital transactions

Security concerns are now the biggest barrier to completing online purchases, with more than 50% of UK shoppers having abandoned a transaction due ...
Retail : Technology : Security
Why Foam photography institute’s new brand identity is motion-focused

Daily Signals

Why Foam photography institute’s new brand identity is motion-focused

The 25-year-old photography institution Foam has unveiled a new visual identity by Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, marking the first time it has used a b...
Design : Museum : Branding
How Letterboxd’s Video Store counters subscription fatigue

Daily Signals

How Letterboxd’s Video Store counters subscription fatigue

Letterboxd has unveiled the Letterboxd Video Store, an in-app rental feature launching in early December that pushes the platform beyond film loggi...
Media : Entertainment : Rental Model
Stat: UK retail workers experience uptick in abusive behaviour from the public

Daily Signals

Stat: UK retail workers experience uptick in abusive behaviour from the public

The Retail Trust has unveiled billboards at key London sites as part of its Let’s Respect Retail campaign.
Retail : Workplace : Statistic
Football Manager and Sky Sports turn female gamers into real-life football coaches to close gender gap

Daily Signals

Football Manager and Sky Sports turn female gamers into real-life football coaches to close gender gap

Xbox, Sky Sports and Football Manager have launched Missing Managers, a campaign created with McCann London that turns gaming into a real-world coa...
Sport : Gaming : Technology
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN