Low-Tech Utopia: Inside a Japanese Greenhouse Commune

In the summer, the "breathing" of the trees’ leaves and the shadows they cast over the homes help cool the spaces. To combat moisture from the humidity, residents can open the top windows of the glass spaces. In the winter, the leafless branches of the trees allow the sun to filter into and heat the interiors. The warmed air is then circulated by ceiling fans, keeping residents toasty. For areas that are out of the reach of the sun’s rays, insulation mats also help increase the temperature.