Softhut
Winnipeg, CA
with Vesta Kroese
2012
The Softhut was designed as a resting place for ice-skaters on the Assiniboine river. It was made to insulate exceptionally well not only against cold and wind, but also sound, hard light and movement in order to create an experience in complete contrast with the exterior environment. It was designed to be built on the mainland and transported to its final resting place on a 2.5m x 4m skid.
the skid
form-work for basic interior space
additional form-
work for light wells,
standing, sitting and laying spaces
completed
interior form-work
form-work defining exterior volume
16.3 m3 polyure- thane insulation material
removal
form-work
final sculpting by architects / artists
Softhut is composed of a single common, but normally unseen, insulation material: Poured polyurethane insulation. Standard form making and pouring techniques are utilized to create the exterior geometric form and the rational basis for the interior which is then hand finished in collaboration with local artists.
Externally it appears as a simple, abstract cube; upon entering however, another world is discovered, where faint filtered light falls through thin points in the mass illuminating a carefully designed/sculpted interior that provides places to sit, lay and stand always allowing the body to be in direct contact with the insulating volume of the object.
lying
plan
lying
sitting
standing
sitting
standing
