Winter Refuge is an outdoor shelter designed to provide a place for rest and reflection during outdoor winter activities in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
Ideation
Team members brainstormed how to provide a comfortable and cozy environment in an outdoor setting. Considering the context of an Ottawa winter, we studied likely users to gain an understanding of their behaviors and began to develop a shape based on the psychology of feeling cozy in the winter time. Using our knowledge of seating ergonomics and taking into consideration winter clothing, such as large boots and baggy coats, we developed a form and tested it by mocking up life-size models.
Final Design
Easily constructed and de-constructed, the final design for Winter Refuge employed a modular framework and fibreglass siding, keeping production costs low. A large wrap-around window facilitated a sense of privacy without sacrificing security by allowing users to clearly view their surroundings.
