Florian Busch Architects has completed the “House W”. It is a wooden structure house located in Nakafurano, Hokkaido, Japan, inspired by the region’s ancient barns.
Designed for a family living in an environment with extreme climates—cold snowy winters and warm summers—, the house has been conceived to maximize energy efficiency. Thanks to a system of solar panels and a heat pump, it produces almost twice the energy it consumes annually.
House W integrates 56 photovoltaic solar panels with a total capacity of 23 kW, installed in various sections of the exterior. This solar envelope, along with an energy storage battery system, allows the house to operate autonomously without depending on the electrical grid for most of the year.
In addition, it is equipped with a heat pump connected to a nearby water source, which maintains a stable temperature inside the home. This system supplies underfloor heating and provides hot water for the family’s daily use.
The energy-efficient and flexible design house in Japan
The combination of solar energy and efficient storage allows the house to generate almost twice the energy it needs annually. This surplus could be used to power electric vehicles or be injected into the local electrical grid, contributing to the sustainability of the community.
House W was built on the land where an old barn used to be, surrounded by rice fields and asparagus crops. Its design imitates the structure of a barn divided into two volumes, connected by a central glazed area. This configuration arose as a solution to budget constraints, as the owners initially considered dividing the construction into phases.
As part of the design strategy, a third section was built before completing the house: a warehouse and a workshop, allowing for future expansions without altering the aesthetics of the whole.
Bright and sustainable interior
The interior of the house covers 163 m², spread over two floors with high ceilings, open spaces, and wooden finishes, providing a cozy and warm environment. Large glass surfaces allow natural light to enter and facilitate cross ventilation, reducing the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning.
To improve thermal comfort, the house has adjustable slats that regulate solar exposure: in summer, they block excess heat, and in winter, they maximize solar gain to retain heat indoors.
In addition to its bioclimatic design, House W uses local and sustainable materials, reducing its carbon footprint from the construction phase. The wood used comes from responsibly managed forests, and the modular design of the structure minimizes material waste.
A self-sufficient housing model
This house in Japan is a clear example of how traditional architecture and modern technologies can be combined to create self-sufficient and energy-efficient homes. The possibility of expanding the construction in the future without altering its integration with the landscape makes it a versatile and sustainable solution.
These types of homes represent a viable alternative for regions with extreme climates, where optimizing energy consumption and using renewable energies are essential to ensure comfort without compromising the environment.
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