In Skandinavia, it seems that a new creative idea for improving home energy efficiency emerges every day. Take, for example, this article on treehugger.com (a hip little enviro-blog now owned by none other than the Discovery Channel), featuring the Naturhus–a modest home built within a larger greenhouse.

Anything that makes the long, dreary Swedish winters more bearable is a boon, but the Naturhus concept sports a laundry list of added benefits. Aside from an extended growing season and a microclimate suitable for Mediterranean exotics like figs and wine grapes, the structures offer inhabitants super energy efficient living quarters and tons of deck space to enjoy year round.

The icing on the cake? Both houses are heated with wood fired oven and a hot water masonry heater.