Snowed in: Lessons from Japan, Iceland & Antarctica
Last week, Montreal was buried under more than 70 cm of snow. Not to be outdone, some parts of Japan saw well over 1 meter in just 12 hours. All this snow is a reminder that buildings should adapt to their environment, not just endure it.
It got us thinking about the different ways architecture around the world has evolved with its – sometimes extreme – surroundings. From mountain villages in Japan to research stations in Antarctica, here’s how the world’s most extreme snow-ready structures perform under pressure.
1. Japan’s Gassho-Zukuri houses: Steep roofs & breathable materials
In the snowy mountains of Shirakawa-go, Japan, traditional Gassho-Zukuri farmhouses feature steeply pitched thatched roofs designed to shed heavy snow and prevent collapse.
These homes use thick wooden beams and natural straw, allowing them to breathe while retaining warmth. The result is naturally insulated, mold-resistant, and high-performing homes that have lasted centuries.
2. Iceland’s modern arctic design: Compact shapes & turf roofs
Iceland’s turf houses were designed for survival. Called torfbæir, these cleverly designed homes made it possible to inhabit one of Europe’s most challenging landscapes.
Their compact shape minimized heat loss, while thick turf roofs provided natural insulation and protection from the elements. Made from local materials, these homes blended into the landscape while staying warm in winter and cool in summer.
3. Antarctica’s Halley VI Research Station: Super-insulated panels
If we’re going to talk about extreme environments, we may as well go all the way. At the Halley VI Research Station in Antarctica, insulation is survival.
Built with modular insulated panels, it is engineered to withstand -50°C temperatures while resisting extreme wind and ice movement. The compact, aerodynamic form keeps heat trapped inside, proving that high-performance panels are the future of cold-weather construction.
The kicker: the Halley VI station’s legs are even outfitted with skis for a mobile workstation. It is hard to be more adaptable than that.
How This Applies to Base
While we aren’t about to put our cabins on skis (yet), our homes are precisely designed to respond to their environment—however extreme they may be.
At Base Habitation, we apply the same principles:
✔️ High-performance, natural insulation (wood fiber + hemp) for warmth and breathability.
✔️ Compact, efficient design to reduce energy waste.
✔️ Modular, adaptable construction that stands up to tough climates.
P.S. Want to learn more about how our homes handle hard winters? Let’s chat.
As always, thank you for reading and see you next time!
