These Winnipeg Skating Shelters -- a proposal created by Patkau Architects for the cold Manitoba climate -- were influenced by the pack formation of Buffalo. The shelters are therefore positioned so that they have their backs to the wind. The shelters are constructed from thin, flexible plywood; to do away with the stress points on the design, Patkau Architects made certain cuts in the design of each shelter.
The Winnipeg Skating Shelters have a unique visual identity. What is really interesting about the structures is that because they are designed to be temporary installations, they can be moved around to accommodate different needs or events that may happen in the winter.
Temporary Herd-like Shelters
Winnipeg Skating Shelters Mimics Buffalo's Back to the Wind Strategy
Trend Themes
1. Temporary Plywood Shelters - Designing shelters using thin, flexible plywood presents opportunities for sustainable and cost-efficient construction of adaptable and portable structures.
2. Animal-inspired Architecture - Drawing inspiration from the pack formation of animals can lead to innovative designs that exhibit unique visual identities and functional attributes.
3. Adaptable Winter Installations - Creating portable shelters that can be moved around to accommodate different needs or events that may happen in the winter presents opportunities for dynamic and flexible urban spaces.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture and Design - Architects and designers can explore using thin, flexible plywood to create sustainable and portable structures, drawing inspiration from the natural world and aiming to enhance urban spaces.
2. Outdoor Recreation and Tourism - Operators and businesses catering to outdoor recreation and tourism can benefit from offering adaptable and portable winter installations that cater to changing needs and events, enhancing the experiences of their customers.
3. Environmental Sustainability - Developers, policymakers, and stakeholders concerned with environmental sustainability can explore the potential of portable and adaptable structures as innovative solutions to urban challenges and as drivers of sustainable growth.