Patkau Architects: Skating Shelters in Winnipeg
Bendy Ply shapes a herd of wind-sheltering forms
With more than 30 years of practice under his belt in Canada, the USA, and increasingly overseas, the company defines itself as an innovative architecture and design research studio and lists dozens of awards on their website going back to the 1980s. The firm's diverse list of projects includes galleries, urban libraries, homes, community and medical centers.
Patkau's CV includes the Order of Canada, one of the country's most prestigious awards, membership in various architectural and art associations, and a visiting professorship of architecture at Yale University.
When the opportunity came along to design and build a set of unique skating shelters, Patkua Architects jumped at the chance. Their proposal consisted of a cluster of intimate shelters to accommodate several people. The shelters would be grouped in clusters, described as a small village, or a herd or flock with their backs to the wind.
"That was just fun," Patkua says. "I mean, there were some tense moments in terms of me getting them actually accomplished, but it was sort of the perfect holiday for architects."
BENDY PLY
The shape of the individual shelters is the result of the use of specialized plywood and Luan wood species called Bendy Ply. "The volumes come out of the particular character of the plywood that was used and the forms into which it was cut and assembled. Those volumes are literally shaped by the nature of the material," says Patkau. Unlike most plywood, which is equally stiff in both directions, bendy ply has a very weak and strong axis.
"It's very flexible in one direction and not in the other. We used that characteristic to make the forms and to make the structure. We couldn't have the flexibility in both directions or they wouldn't stand up, but we needed the flexibility in one direction in order to make the volumes."
The group built a full-sized mockup in their Vancouver office. However, when the materials used to fabricate them in Winnipeg were delivered, they were quite a bit thicker than the material originally used. All of the shapes had to be modified in order to work with the thicker material.
Frequently asked questions
What material was used to build the Winnipeg skating shelters?+
The shelters were built using a specialized plywood made from Luan wood species called Bendy Ply. Unlike typical plywood that is equally stiff in both directions, Bendy Ply has a weak axis and a strong axis.
How does Bendy Ply shape the form of the skating shelters?+
Bendy Ply is very flexible in one direction and stiff in the other. Patkau Architects used this directional flexibility to form the curved volumes while relying on the stiff axis to provide structural stability.
How were the Winnipeg skating shelters arranged on the site?+
The shelters were designed as a cluster of intimate structures, each accommodating several people. They were grouped together like a small village, herd, or flock with their backs to the wind.
Why did Patkau Architects have to modify the skating shelter designs during fabrication?+
A full-sized mockup was built in their Vancouver office, but when materials were delivered in Winnipeg they were considerably thicker than the original plywood used. All of the shapes had to be modified to work with the thicker material.
What types of projects does Patkau Architects work on?+
Patkau Architects describes itself as an innovative architecture and design research studio with more than 30 years of practice in Canada, the USA, and overseas. Their diverse project list includes galleries, urban libraries, homes, community centers, and medical centers.
What recognition has Patkau Architects received?+
The firm lists dozens of awards on its website dating back to the 1980s. Patkau's credentials include the Order of Canada, memberships in various architectural and art associations, and a visiting professorship of architecture at Yale University.