The Extreme Climate Housing of KST-Hokkaido

This paper reports on a visit to the corporate headquarters of KST-Hokkaido, a housing manufacturer on Japan’s northernmost island with a unique commitment to environmental sustainability. This commitment is the result of company founder Akira Yamaguchi’s ‘bioregional’ vision for the company, which is rooted in and celebrating the ‘extreme’ winter conditions of the island. V/hile there are many aspects of KST’s approach worth considering, this paper will limit itself to the adaptation of the typical KST house to the extremes of Hokkaido’s winters. Both the design and construction methods of KST’s houses are aimed at addressing bioclimatic issues such as cold temperatures, heavy snow loads and high year round humidity levels. This paper will review fabrication processes, overall form, envelope, glazing, heating and ventilation strategies. All work together to create compelling winter dwellings that challenge western conventions on many scores, raising many more questions than this paper can answer.

Volume Editors
Marilys R. Nepomechie & Robert Gonzalez

ISBN
0-935502-54-8