# Timber-Clad Headquarters Kengo Kuma Builds the Head Office for Blue Ice By Jamie Danielle Munro | Published 2014-07-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-ice References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/kengo-kuma-blue-ice-office-chamonix-france-07-10-2014/) & [kkaa.co.jp](http://kkaa.co.jp/) Kengo Kuma has put forward a concept design for the Blue Ice head office, based in Chamonix. The design reflects the cold conditions of the surrounding area, which tend to receive a decent amount of snow throughout the year. To combat this, the design has a [sloped roof](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uchida-shoten), allowing snow to easily fall off during the winter months. The office is mostly made up of [timber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfsufficient-bivouac) too, which is unusual for [most headquarters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cleveland-foundation), however, it works well with the surroundings of the place. The design also features a terrace out the back for people to meet up and collaborate (when it's not too cold, of course). Once again Kengo Kuma has exceeded expectations with this design. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/kengo-kuma-blue-ice-office-chamonix-france-07-10-2014/), [kkaa.co.jp](http://kkaa.co.jp/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.8/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sloped Roof Design:** The sloped roof design allows for easy removal of snow and could be implemented in areas with heavy snowfall. - **Timber as Main Material:** Using timber as the primary material for office buildings could create a unique and harmonious aesthetic with the natural surroundings. - **Collaborative Terrace Spaces:** Including outdoor terrace spaces for collaboration could inspire creativity and communication among employees. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture and Design:** Architects and designers could explore the use of sloped roof designs and timber materials in their projects. - **Construction:** Construction companies could specialize in building headquarters using sustainable and locally-sourced timber materials. - **Office Furniture and Equipment:** Companies in the office furniture industry could develop outdoor furniture and equipment to cater to collaborative terrace spaces in office buildings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vacant Wood-Clad Offices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ichihara-life-and-work-commission-office.md) - [Charred Timber-Clad Office Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hi-adventures.md) - [Wooden Residential Parisian Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yamatani.md) - [Metal Roof Topped Offices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/office-in-hashima.md) - [Industrial Waterfront Headquarters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nderkleiva.md) - [Pier-Side Dynamic Office Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-hq.md) - [Natural Material-Focused Headquarters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/escritrio-da-engenharia.md) - [Water-Inspired Sales Building](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cifi-group.md) - [Warm Office Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kinzo-architekten.md)