Winter Fire

We have new North American office, based in Toronto.

To celebrate, we designed a conceptual installation set in a Canadian winter landscape - produced as part of a competition.

The installation is called “Winter Fire” and is designed to provide a refuge from the elements by using those elements themselves. It is a positive, forward-looking installation that harnesses nature and the environment.

The refuge is provided by a permeable grate supported by columns. The grate provides shade during sunlight, enclosure when snow settles on it and a dramatic experience when that snow melts to form suspended icicles. The scope of the refuge, provided by the elements, is the most significant when those elements are at their most extreme and the refuge most needed.

The grate protects beds of “dogwood” or “Winter Fire” (cornus sanguinea) which rise up like flames to meet the grates and, in certain conditions, to meet the icicles in a suspended contrast of fire and ice. There are paths through the beds, protected overhead by solid sections in the grate, meaning visitors can safely walk through the installation.

This was originally posted on LinkedIn here.