Warming Huts v2024

Collage of winning renderings for the Warming Huts 2024 competion.
  • Drawing of "Circling Above us" Warming hut.

    Invited Artist: Circling Above us

    By Jordan and Wayne Stranger
    Winnipeg and Peguis First Nation, Manitoba

    The Eagle signifies warmth and comfort. With the use of the sacred medicine Cedar covering the animal, it creates a safe space with good energy, serving as a reminder of the effect of our environment. In many miraculous appearances, eagles have appeared during tough times to remind us we are loved, and in good times to remind us our ancestors are always with us. Through this warming hut we hope to bring the warmth and comfort the eagle has always brought to our family throughout the years.

  • Rendering of "Murky Waters" Warming Hut.

    Winner: Murky Waters

    By Christopher Loofs, Jordan Loofs, and Kaci Marshall
    Oklahoma City, USA

    Resting on the ice sits a fish out of water. Pops of black contrast the freshly fallen snow, inviting all to investigate. They are greeted by the long face of the catfish, its eyes blank and open, allowing light into the skull’s interior. Other visitors already sit inside on a long bench, catching their breath and retying skates away from the biting winds. Past the opening extends a series of ribs connected by a thick rope spine. At its end sits a boney tail, its base merged into another bench. The presence of the catfish brought to the river surface seeks to not only shelter visitors from the wind but also provide a place to reflect on the ecologies humans interact with throughout our different cultures and contexts.

  • Rendering of "Spinning Dim Sum" Warming Hut.

    Winner: Spinning Dim Sum

    By Verena Nelles Kempf and Ilga Nelles
    Zurich, Switzerland and Hamburg, Germany

    Three small felt capsules, each having a small sky opening, provide a cozy hide out for visitors.

    Mounted on a sliding plate they are waiting to be turned and turned -

    ...a game, a shelter, a meeting place.

    The 5 strips that overlap to form a dim-sum-like shape are loosely linked in a way, that the construction remains flexible and each gap can be stretched to open up as an entrance.

    A tightrope walk between fashion and architecture.

  • Rendering of "Sublimation" Warming Hut.

    Winner: Sublimation

    By Francisco Silva, Barbara Stallone, and Alexander Pollard
    Paris, France and London, England

    The pavilion stands as a beacon in nature, transcending its surroundings. In symbiotic harmony with the environment, it responds dynamically to atmospheric and climatic shifts through its form and materiality. A single structural pole supports a pleated recycled fishing net skirt, embodying an intrinsic, distilled beauty. As snow falls, gusts blow, and temperatures fluctuate, the pavilion adapts dynamically, its transparent walls gradually transforming into ice, offering a shelter for contemplation and protection. Sunlight streams in through an oculus, casting warm light within. Throughout the season, water droplets accumulate, freezing into stunning wind-sculpted formations. With the arrival of spring, as the ice melts, the pavilion's fabric dances with the wind, while shadows accentuate the embodied form. These dynamic responses to climate create a unique experience with each visit. This iconic structure symbolizes Winnipeg's deep connection to its environment, celebrating life between contemporaneity and the forces of nature in perfect harmony.

  • Image of "Ice Henge" Warming Hut model.

    University of Manitoba: Ice Henge

    By The Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba
    Winnipeg, Canada

    For decades, we have been moving towards a world of hyper connectivity, while simultaneously having more disingenuous interactions with people and spaces. The Faculty of Architecture’s v.2024 Warming Hut seeks to counter this trend by creating an intervention that combines warmth and play. Enhancing the existing ice and snow environment, ICE HENGE carves as pace for true reflection and communal connection. Frozen forms extend from the icy expanse, welcoming outsiders into a core of shared experiences. Our vision orchestrates a realm of play, wonder, and amazement—a space—aglow at night, radiant by day, that sings to its visitors. Inspired by the spirit of disco and the monumentality of Stonehenge, ICE HENGE becomes a landmark embodying a juxtaposition of both notoriety and temporality, wonder and certainty—a new age landmark for new age aspirations.

  • Model of "Amisk" Warming Hut.

    School Edition: Amisk

    By Staff: Tytanya Fillion
    Students: Nolan, Tarik, Maksim, Jesse, Jack, Justin, Kevin
    École St. Avila School, Winnipeg, Canada

    Winter can be very long for those who do not like the cold. The Forks and especially the river trails are a fun reason to get families out for a walk or go for a skate. We hope that Amisk will keep families warm as they skate and walk along the river trails.

    It is important that we all take the time to educate ourselves about the true history of Turtle Island. To honour the seven sacred teachings and the Treaty 1 land which the Forks is built, we want to share Amisk (Cree for Castor/ Beaver). The Beaver represents wisdom. Amisk is a great representative for the Forks because there was once a lot of Beavers along the banks of the forks. The beaver is known as the hardest working animal in the world.

    The Voyageurs first came to Turtle Island to hunt Beaver pelts. Beaver pelts were used as a form of trading currency. Even today the Beaver is still on the nickel to remind us of its importance.

    We hope families go inside Amisk to warm up and learn about Turtle Island and the history of trade between the Voyageurs and the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Lakota peoples of Treaty 1 land.

    The beaver represents wisdom. We want Amisk to help educate. Inside Amisk, we will have a sacred circle carpet with a big basket of books written and illustrated by Indigenous Peoples of Manitoba. We are making a sign with 8 interesting facts about Beavers. The sign will be written in French, English, Cree and Braille. There will also be a bulletin board where visitors can leave some words of wisdom to share with others.

    Like the Beaver teaching, we know that with hard work and dedication comes knowledge. We are excited to be a part of this project. We have already learned so much from this and are excited to continue to learn.