The Warming Hut

Created as a Public Art project for the 2011 Canada Winter Games, the Warming Hut is an interactive environment, a shelter and a social space.

Photo Credit: Greg Richardson Photography

Custom designed woven fabric, translucent shingles and hand printed images on satin make up the coned shape structure. The eight aluminum wall panels fit together like sections of an orange. The outside is visually structured by the aluminum frames anchored in the ground, by wood panels, large shingles of clear, resilient plexiglass and double curved panels of brightly colored PVC coated fabric. The interior is like a jewel box with handcrafted fabrics on the walls, warm seats and a chandelier of hundreds of snowflakes.

“We’re using relatively standard materials in fabricating this structure, but combining many different kinds of materials together and using them in completely unconventional ways. In the Hut, benches are made from straps, aluminum wiring extrusions are being used for the skeleton and translucent, resilient Lexan sheets have been cut into shingles for the façade. It’s more like a hot-rod motorcycle than a building.” said Adam Read, @lab architecture technician.

The structure is 4.5 m high; the round base is 3.6m in diameter and has a 34 m square footprint. The height of the warming hut was inspired by the Great Plains style teepees installed on the Common for the Membertou 400 celebration during the summer of 2010.

During the day, translucent Lexan cladding allows daylight to illuminate the etched fabric panels. When night falls, the transparent fabric and translucent sheets mesh with the glow of the LED lights from the chandeliers and bench seats to create a winter-y fantasy world, with snowflakes and sparkling reflections.

A heartbeat amplifier allows the person who is sitting in this special chair to experience biofeedback of their heart. The visitor triggers the responsive environment by placing their hands in the hand warmers. This allows the HBA to read the rhythm of their heart which triggers sounds and softly pulsating white lights in the chandelier.

You are invited to melt the chill with a creative respite in the warming hut.
The Architextiles lab (@lab) is a unique collection of artists, architects and technology experts from NSCAD and Dalhousie Universities who weave together architectural elements, electronics and creative textiles into innovative, dynamically interactive products The project will improve the capacity for innovation in the private sector and could lead to an expanded range of products to be produced by commercial partners.

The @lab is funded by ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund and the Nova Scotia Research Innovation Trust. It is led by Professor Robin Muller, NSCAD Division of Craft, and Dr. Sarah Bonnemaison, Dalhousie University School of Architecture. The HRM Community Relations and Cultural Affairs division staff initiated the collaboration.

Principal Investigators:
Sarah Bonnemaison, Dalhousie University, School of Architecture + Robin Muller, NSCAD University, Craft Division

Team members include:
Anke Fox - textiles, Pamela Gaines - business manager, Stephen Kelly and Amelie Proulx - electronics, Adam Read and Melissa Schwegmann - architecture, Greg Sims - computer modeler, Shane Yates - mechanical engineering

Consultants:
Andrea Doncaster, BMR Structural Engineering
Peter Gregson, Electrical Engineering, Dalhousie University
Alex Kalamkarov, Mechanical Engineering, Dalhousie University
Alan Macy, Biopac, Inc.: heart beat amplifier

Sponsors:
Halifax Regional Municipality
Maritime Canvas Converters and Upholstery

Manufacturers:
Delmage Studio, sewing
Maritime Canvas Converters and Upholstery: installations of fabrics
Metro Electric: electrical installation
Oriole Mills: weavers for Jacquard fabric
Velocity Machining and Welding: metal cutting and welding

@lab is funded by ACOA, NSRIT, NSCAD University and Dalhousie University

About @lab

The ArchiTextiles lab, @lab, was established in 2008 to research, design and develop interactive, dynamic textiles for use in architectural applications. The @lab brings together an eclectic collection of experts in textiles, electronics, architecture, electrical and mechanical engineering and computer modeling.

Prototypes developed to date include a glowing window panel that becomes an atmospheric room light, collapsible, portable privacy enclosure for health therapists with responsive interactive sensors to enhance the healing environment and an interactive dance costume with a portable, adaptable, responsive stage set.

In the Spring of 2010, HRM approached the @lab as part of their search for warming huts for the upcoming Canada Games. This was a perfect opportunity to take the development of the warm weather privacy enclosure into the next prototype of a cold weather warming hut for use at festivals and public events.
HRM contributions in this timely collaboration include special events expertise, festival architecture requirements, safety and crime prevention consultants and fire code specialists. The venue of the Skating Oval on the Halifax Common is ideal, and right in the @labs own backyard.

As sponsors, HRM marketing and public relations departments are invaluable to the @lab providing access to all their media resources: their YouTube channel, tweets, media contacts and website.

The Hut becomes part of the city’s festival infrastructure, and so will be reused at future festivals and events.

“The Hut is a kit that can be assembled and dismantled at the end of use, allowing for shipping to another festival site for quick installation” said Mary Angela Munro, Community Development Co-ordinator for HRM.

Sponsorship opportunities will soon be available to fund construction of additional huts.

The @lab work in research and product development provides resources that encourage innovation in regional industries, increasing capacity for suppliers that work with architectural-scale textiles and/or electronic components.

The @lab is actively seeking partners for commercialization of these R&D products.

Contact Information:

ArchiTextile Lab
Suite 100
1061 Marginal Road, Halifax, NS
B3H 4P7
p 902 442 4227
f 902 425 9769
rmuller@nscad.ca
Sarah.Bonnemaison@dal.ca
www.filumltd.arch.dal.ca