Toshiei Tsukidate

Form, Use and Clearing of Snow from the Gangi in Winter : Study on the Common Space Design of Public Apartment Houses in Heavy Snowfall Areas in Japan

Abstract There are a large number of apartment houses equipped with Gangi, a kind of linked corridor which connects many buildings, in northern Japan, that are provided mainly for winter use. We analyzed continued and open form as they relate to snow protection. From the residents point of view, our research clarified how to use Gangi in real life, how to remove the snow and also what is required for housing. Accordingly we arranged the ploblems and subjects of new house planning for the northern region. Finally, we tried to clarify the ideal image of Gangi and the common amenity space for apartment houses,and proposed some new design ideas.