Même Experimental House in Taiki
Même, a prototype with a surface area of about 80 m², is located on the grounds of a research institute in Hokkaido focusing on environmental design for colder climates. The architects’ concept was informed by their studies of the “chise” huts of the Ainu, a people that has traditionally inhabited northern Japan, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. Their traditional dwelling was a “grass house”, its roof and walls cloaked in an insulating layer of sedge or bamboo. The chise were placed directly on the ground, and each had a fire pit in the centre that was kept burning continuously to take advantage of the radiant heat. Même’s load-bearing structure is a timber frame. A moisture-diffusing synthetic membrane covers it; the interior is clad entirely in removable glass-fibre fabric. Between the two layers there is transparent polyester-fibre insulation made of recycled PET bottles. This assembly is based on the principle that the air convection in the space between the membranes benefits the indoor climate. The goal is to go beyond the conventional static layers of thermal insulation and take into consideration the dynamic processes within the building envelope. To facilitate making changes to the assembly, all parts of the inner membrane can be taken down. Sensors integrated in the walls, roof and floors collect information on the seismic loads and the heat transmission of the materials and the building components.
