Steam Canoe / OCADU

Curated by ArchDaily

Architects: OCADU
Area: 300 ft²
Year: 2016
Photographs:Mark Tholen, Khristel Stecher, Curtis Ho, Shengjie Qiu
Manufacturers: GRIP Metal, North American Oak, North American Solar Solutions, Spruce Pine Fir
Lead Architects: Curtis Ho, Mark Tholen

Text description provided by the architects. OCAD’s Steam Canoe was inspired by the canoe; The vessel that symbolizes the rich history of the indigenous first nations and early exploration of North America. The shoreline shelter was built to cut through the harsh wind of the cold winter shoreline, reflecting the interior space created by overturned water vessels. Solar hydronic components were installed within the structure, reflecting the underlying theme of freeze-thaw. Evacuated solar tubes heated a capture pan at the rear of the interior, melting snow and generating warm water, creating a fog halo that emerged from within the structure.

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