“The Polar Bench is inspired by the Polar Bear and its adaptation to living in harsh winter conditions. Based on how the Polar Bear sleeps in these cold climates, the Polar Bench mimics various aspects of the adaptations of the Polar Bear. By sleeping with their backs to the wind, sleeping in a ball and interlocking with other Polar Bears, they retain warmth in some of the coldest regions on the earth. The Polar Bench imitates this by having interlocking interior walls in the middle of the interlocking Polar Bear forms. The Polar Bench would be located right on the ice of the Forks to allow for direct access for individuals who are skating to directly enter the Polar Bench without needing to take off their skates. The wrap around exterior walls provide wind protection from most angles and serves to create the feeling of a warm den. “

Diagrams + Concept

Text reads: “Inspired by the polar bear’s ability to sleep during extreme/harsh winter conditions. By facing their backs to the wind, lying in a ball-like shape and sleeping with other polar bears, they retain their warmth. The interlacing walls of POLAR BENCH mimic the structural function of interlocking polar bears with their backs to the North and South winds.”

Chipboard Sketch Models

Each of these models has a design change to visualize the differences. They explore having a door on the side, a slanted roof and nested walls with different heights.

“Not-A-Chair” Structure

This structure was made following the guidelines that it must be able to hold your body weight, it cannot be more than 2 feet tall, and it is “NOT A CHAIR” (but it can be used as one).

The reasoning behind the distinction of not being a chair served to explore more creative solutions that aren’t confined to the typical image of modern chairs.

This structure is dynamic and flexes as weight is applied to it. It was made using wet-bent laminated wood. I wanted to create dynamism both physically when force is applied and spatially when observed from different perspectives. The “Not-A-Chair” uses as little wood as possible, under the supervision of a woodshop expert. It used blocks of wood and plywood. To achieve the shape and design the elements were cut on a band saw, laser cut and sandpapered smooth.

In addition to dynamism and movement, I attempted to make the “Not-A-Chair” with as few straight cuts and edges as possible with the aim of having a visual flow between the fins of the structure.

Stetchbook designs

I esperimented a lot with the spacing of the wwooden fins and the design of the wooden blocks on the side faces. 

“Not-A-Chair” Model 1

“Not-A-Chair” Model 2

I adjusted the flex of the top piece by using laminated flexible plywood that saddles as one applies wait to the structure.

Diagram

The palm is meant to be a general form of a tree that’s smaller at its base the spreads out as it gets taller. I was also inspired to use a palm tree from a conceptual standpoint. I wanted the pavilion to have an airy and open feel that plays with the light like the shade made from a group of palm trees. I grew up around palm trees and I thought to recreate the airy feel that a palm has with the openings on the top of the triangular “pillars”.

3D printed model of Version 2

3D printed model of Version 2 on Site Model

Chipboard Model of Version 3

This model was too large and cumbersome, especially when compared to the dimensions of the clubhouse and barn. The most relevant iteration in this version is the cropped pillar bases and the pitch of the roof.

Renders of Version 4

Final Site Model

Final Competition Board