HABITAT. Polar bears are found in the Nordic region of the planet, throughout the Arctic Circle: from Siberia as far south as Alaska. The air temperature there in summer is -0°C and in the winter is -34°C. The average ocean temperature in this region during the summer is -1.5°C and in the winter -2°C. Even in the most southern region of this area, winter is long and dark, with a maximum sun angle of 4° while summer has long days with a sun angle that reaches 52°.

DESIGN: This project mimics the polar bears physiological adaptation developed in order to survive to some of the planet’s harshest weather conditions. The living units are partially embedded in the earth, not dissimilarly from the bear’s hibernation den. The units are also oriented south-west to optimize heat gain from the sun. The sun’s energy - heat and light - is harvested by the active skin composed by hollow re-orientable fur-like glass tubes. The energy is conducted through the tube to the insulating strata where is stored, conserved and slowly released. Moreover, embedded in the phase changing material, phosphorescent cells allow the accumulation of light which then gets slowly released at night.