Twin warming huts for TED conference evoke the Great Canadian Wilderness

The architecture and design students of <a href="https://www.dbr-school.org" target="_blank">DBR | Design Build Research</a> created ELEVATE, unique pop-up structures that brought a slice of the Canadian backcountry winter experience to downtown <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/vancouver/" target="_blank">Vancouver</a>. Crafted as part of a three-month design/build course, this temporary installation served as a sheltered outdoor living room for the TED2016 conference. Innovation with wood and technical fabrication were explored in the project, most notably through the curved planks of CNC-milled timber used to create the structures’ inviting, cocoon-like shapes.

From afar, ELEVATE evokes snow-covered hilltops, however a closer look reveals the design’s likeness to high alpine shelters.

The 16 students sought to create an attractive meeting place where TED attendees, known as TEDsters, could gather and discuss ideas.

The structures were also outfitted with graphics of provincial and national parks to encourage TEDsters to explore Vancouver’s great outdoors during their visit.

METSA Wood donated Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), an advanced wood product, that was shaped with CNC technology into the ELEVATE’s skeleton.

Set on sill plates, the structures feature a timber deck and curved timber ribs reinforced by cross bracing.

A white translucent covering protects visitors from the elements and is complemented with exposed timber ribbing visible from the interior.

ELEVATE by DBR

ELEVATE by DBR