A few years ago, I rode my bike to the John Pawson chapel in the woods for cyclists. The stark difference between a typical forest shelter and this chapel left a strong impression on me, and changed how I thought about the kind of open-access shelters that could exist in the forest to help more people get out and have adventures.
As a architectural designer, I have also spent recent years feeling an uncomfortable separation between work and play – one happening in interior spaces, and one happening largely outdoors on my bike. Inspired by nature, I have long intended to make this realm of inspiration an even clearer theme in his work.
During my residency at ACRE Studio in Berlin this autumn, I translated the elements that create the name of my architecture studio, Deture (“design", “architecture", and “adventure"), into a structure. The project, “Beyond Shelter,” is a functional sleeping structure for outdoor adventures that is also architecturally intriguing.
The concept was that the exhibition of the shelter would happen in two phases. First indoors in the ACRE Studio space, Beyond Shelter was an art installation, showing the architectural form within an artistic context. Later outdoors, it could turn into a functional shelter, publicly accessible at the edge of a private property in Gerswalde, Germany. The installation needed to make sense in both spaces, indoors and outdoors. I had to work within the limitations of the small indoor gallery, and make it easy to dismantle, transport, and build again.
With an emphasis on experiencing and respecting nature, I also designed the structure to have as minimal a footprint as possible, while still enabling two to three people to sleep comfortably inside.
The shelter’s “twisted pyramid” form is achieved through precisely angled joints and unique corner geometry, creating a structure that feels both solid and dynamic. These angles give the shelter its distinctive look while enabling its narrow footprint.
Crafting the intricate angles of the support beams required a 3D-printed template to guide precise cuts, ensuring each beam aligned perfectly within the shelter’s complex geometry. This technique enabled the creation of a clean, stable structure while overcoming the challenge of non-standard cuts.
Beyond providing shelter for overnights, the structure is designed as a place to pause, with steps where people can sit, enjoy a coffee, or take in the surrounding views on both sides. This multi-functionality is intended to create a connection between visitors and their natural surroundings. Text description by the architects.
