Nowadays, the rapid climate changes occurring on the planet, lead inevitably to the redefinition of the relationship between man and nature. Within this framework, the architecture, as an integral part of reality, can play a key role in promoting sustainability, while keeping its responsibility towards the environment and the society.

This research addresses the issue of architecture in extreme cold weather conditions and seeks for effective and beneficial ways of living in areas where snow and ice are in high concentration.

More specifically, this research studies the unique nature of the aforementioned architecture and the characteristics of polar environments and constructions therein, as well as the techniques and materials that should be used, in order for those constructions to meet the requirements, restrictions and generally the standards dictated by the polar conditions.

Furthermore, several examples of constructions are given. Τhe most crucial factor influencing the architectural design of those constructions is the survival and the way of living in low temperature environments. With respect to any local architectural or environmental constraints, these constructions manage to achieve a balance between a functional architecture and the protection of the environment.

The study of such extreme and oftentimes unexplored polar areas from an architectural point of view may seem distant and foreign, but, in reality, it is a very substantial issue, inextricably interwoven with the rest of the world.