# Dualistic Housing Concepts This Home by Snark Boasts a Functional Space for Growing Plants By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-07-27 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/housing-concept1 References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2018/07/27/snark-house-in-nakauchi-maebashi-japan-architecture/) & [snark.cc](http://snark.cc/) For a housing concept in Maebashi, Japan, architecture firm Snark creates a highly functional abode that just happens to be aesthetically friendly, as well. The building has a dualistic character as it is optimized to not only provide shelter and living amenities for its residents but also to double as a solarium that will be used for an [indoor garden](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/volante). As a result, Snark utilizes two distinct materials to accommodate the different functionalities of the housing concept. While one side is "clad in horizontal boards" to create a sense of privacy for the living area, the other is a transparent volume made with [corrugated polycarbonate sheets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/office-for-roundtable). The material is [affordable and flexible](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordable-housing-prototype). It optimizes the influx of light that flows into the interior and makes this dualist housing concept accommodative to plant-growing. Photo Credits: [Shinzawa Ippei](http://ippeishinzawa.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Functional Housing:** The dualistic housing concept showcases the trend of integrating functional spaces within a home, such as an indoor garden. - **Aesthetic-friendly Design:** The Snark housing concept highlights the trend of combining aesthetic appeal with practical functionalities. - **Flexible Materials:** The use of affordable and flexible materials, like corrugated polycarbonate sheets, exemplifies the trend of adaptable building materials for versatile purposes. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture:** Architects can explore innovative ways to incorporate functional spaces and green elements within residential designs. - **Home and Garden:** The home and garden industry can leverage the dualistic housing concept to inspire homeowners in creating multi-purpose living spaces. - **Building Materials:** The building materials industry can capitalize on the demand for flexible and affordable materials that can be used in diverse architectural projects. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touching-eden-house.md) - [Compact Corner Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modus-architect.md) - [Architecture-Inspired Indoor Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegetment-vegetable-cultivator.md) - [Skylit Belgian Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/he-winter-garden.md) - [Greenhouse-Topped Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-house-1.md) - [Contemporary Weatherized Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/acute-house.md) - [Off-Grid Solar Panel Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/florian-busch-architects.md) - [Window-Accented Garden Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verdant-house.md) - [Slender Alley Dwelling Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-house-1.md)