Warming Huts

Patkau Warming Huts

The Patkau Warming Huts are a group of 6 skating shelters that are huddled closely together within the frozen river landscape. Constructed of thin plywood sheaths, these shelters allow for shelter for skaters, while giving opportunities for chance encounters within the intimate installation environment. The thin flexible plywood is easy to work with, and the various forms of bending of plywood gives rise to the interesting spatial character and form of the huts.

Nuzzles

This innovative warming shelter moves away from traditional shelter architecture typologies to create an arrangement of colourful pool noodles that engage and warm skaters along the frozen river where it is installed. It is a geodesic lattice structure with an internal heating and lighting element, encourage users to "nuzzle" within the structure and use the pool noodles to create informal seating and rest areas.

The Hybrid Hut

The Hybrid Hut was constructed using a series of logs connected together to form a curved shelter around a bench. Traditional craftsmanship was combined with 3D modelling technology to create the spiky round form of the structure, akin to a hedgehog's coat. Each log is attached to projecting wooden fins that tip each log outwards to create its spiky form.

The Hole Idea

The Hole Idea is a warming hut that is essentially a bright yellow tunnel implanted in a snow drift. The inspiration for the tunnel comes from the Looney Tunes Road Runner cartoon - where the coyote continuously tries to use tunnels to catch the very quick road runner bird. The bright yellow aims to draw skaters into the void, providing a place of respite from the cold.

RAW: Almond

This warming hut is unique in that it houses a restaurant for the duration of its installation. It is built using a scaffolding framework with a canvas cover. The cross-bracing structure references the pattern of an adjacent bridge. The simple frame results in an elegant structure which allows the interiors to be clean and free of visual clutter, according to the architect. The white canvas on the interior is pitched and connected at various angles, creating different areas that are private and communal.

Mirror Cloaking

This warming hut is a mirrored hideaway comprised of one-way mirrors and polished stainless steel panels to create a reflective box when seen from the outside, and a viewing box when on the inside. The idea behind the design is the creation of a what looks like a transparent structure that is "warm" within an "open space".