# Black Diamond Homes The Snow House is a Mild-Manned Mountain Abode By Jessica Marcel | Published 2010-01-25 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snow-house References: [directorioarco.blogspot](http://directorioarco.blogspot.com/2008/11/abel-erazonicols-norerocasa-r2006cajon.html) & [nicolasdorvalbory](http://www.nicolasdorvalbory.com/projects/snow-house/) Xella cellular concrete blocks are the inspiration behind the [Snow House](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outdoor-care), designed by Chilean architects Nicolas Dorval-Bory, Juan Carlos Lopez Huerta, and Emilio Marin. The design provides little excitement from the outside, but the beauty is found in the functionality. Snow House is meant to be a [mountain home](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caju-house) where outside temperatures are nearly always freezing. [Snow House is black](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vaulted-monochrome-haus), so it will absorb as much heat from the sun as possible, and it has an ingenious internal design that you can see in the diagrams in the gallery. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 20% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Xella Cellular Concrete Blocks:** The use of Xella cellular concrete blocks as building materials provides an opportunity to disrupt the traditional construction industry with more efficient and sustainable options. - **Passive Solar Design:** Embracing passive solar design in architecture enables designers and builders to create more functional and energy-efficient homes that can potentially lower energy consumption costs for homeowners. - **Functional Minimalism:** The Snow House's design is an example of functional minimalism, a trend that focuses on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing designs with a reduced reliance on material possessions. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Construction:** The use of Xella cellular concrete blocks can potentially disrupt traditional construction materials, creating opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers, and builders. - **Architecture and Design:** Embracing passive solar design principles and functional minimalism in architecture and design can revolutionize the industry by providing more sustainable and efficient options for customers. - **Renewable Energy:** Passive solar design and energy-efficient homes promote the use of clean and renewable energy sources and, in turn, create opportunities for the renewable energy industry to grow and innovate. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Black-Concrete Mountain Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-house-1.md) - [Black-Metal Angled Holiday Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shadow-box-house.md) - [Sustainable Swiss Chalets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ls-design.md) - [Mountain Courtyard Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ski-house.md) - [Charred Wood Mountain Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alexander-jermyn-architecture.md) - [Snowfall-Inspired Sofa Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowhouse-sofa.md) - [Sloped Dark Wooden Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/south-mountain.md) - [Volcanic Terrain Modern Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noir-peaks.md) - [Contemporary Mountainous Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountainous-home.md)