Natural Japanese Cedar-Wrapped Louver Haus Keeps its Cool in South Korea

If you want to turn a fairly ordinary building into a striking complex that doesn't require a lot of mechanical intervention to stay cool, then you might want to take notes from <a href="http://www.smart-architecture.kr">Smart Architecture</a>. The South Korean design firm added sustainably-sourced Japanese cedar louvers to the southern and eastern facades of the Louver Haus in Daegu, ensuring that the four-story apartment building achieves <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_conservation">optimum energy-efficiency</a> and privacy.

Japanese cedar louvers transform an ordinary apartment building into a striking complex

The entire south and eastern facades can be shuttered to protect against solar gain and spying neighbors

Shutters open to reveal hidden windows

All of the apartments can control how much sunlight and ventilation penetrates the interior

Interior furnishings are simple

Skylights bring a pile of natural light into the interior

Vertical cables lead to each apartment, creating a special ambience inside