RAW Design Wins Architecture Competition with Nuzzles!
By Penny on Feb 11, 2014
“Nuzzles” - a warming hut innovation created by a team of forward-thinking architects at Toronto-based RAW Design. As the award winners of the 2014 Art + Architecture Competition on Ice, these funny looking huts are not just keeping skaters warm, they’re brightening up the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg with their LED lights and exuberant colours.
The team, Aaron Hendershott, Jacob Shank, Pierre-Alexandre Le Lay, Elmira Yousefi, Kim Flynn and Director at RAW himself, Roland Rom Colthoff just completed the final installations on the three prototypes that follow the icy route providing skaters with a little shelter from the -20 degrees celsius weather.
Though the competition didn’t outline a theme this year, Colthoff tells newinhomes.com that they were inspired by the idea of reusing a “summer toy” for a winter activity. Keeping in mind that the Forks of Winnipeg, the organization behind the project is carrying some financial responsibility (especially with the upkeep), the architects were proud to unveil a cost efficient/environmentally responsible solution that appeals to such a wide range of users.
Nuzzles are actually constructed with pool noodles, zip ties and duct tape. From 200 other entries, the Nuzzles were selected for their aesthetic appeal and because they promote interaction and generate heat like a jacket; through insulation.
“The bright colours of the pool noodles stand out from their snowy surroundings, and their flexible forms invite interaction and play. People of all ages, particularly children, were drawn to the sculptures and engaged with them in a variety of ways; jumping into them, climbing them, nestling into them. The event organizers were equally enthusiastic about the design as it challenged the already diverse interpretations of what a warming hut could be,” says Colthoff.
Built to last against even the toughest rough-housers, these models are expected to have an average lifespan of about eight weeks each. Though Manitobans seem to be enjoying nuzzling the Nuzzles, we wonder if Torontonians would be as quick to adopt these coral-esque huts; “I think we can learn from Winnipeg,” says Colthoff. “The point is to get people skating and enjoying the city.” What do you think?
To view the full list of submissions, visit: www.warminghuts.com
