DESIGN CONCEPT

The concept of this Contemporary-Primitive Hut was to create a structure that provides shelter from the elements with simplified, sustainable construction methods and vernacular materials.

 

At the same time the goal was to create a playful structure of fluid dynamics that attracts pedestrians to circulate through the connecting path.

 

A hierarchy of space is formed within the path by the varying geometries of each bay.

The Glulam arches rest on a wood lagging wall shoring system which forms the north part of the shelter.

The natural heating, cooling, moistening, drying and inevitable movement of the wall and earth behind provides a non-static kind of "living" wall. The contemporary wooden glulam beams are simply laid against the wall in a way that helps to resist the lateral forces of the earth and weight of passing trains that are acting on the wall.

Smaller wooden louvers are_fitted between each main structural element providing shade during hot summer
days and allowing for sunlight to penetrate the structure

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SITE SELECTION

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The site selected for the "Primiti-ve Hut" is located
on the south side of the Union Station Station train tracks and extends west to east connecting Yonge & Bay St.

Yonge and Bay St. lack an east-west connection between Front St. north of the tracks and the Gardiner Expressway to the south.

This "shelter" will provide numerous connections in the area. Currently pedestrians leaving the ACC via the existing PATH connection to
the West, are forced to travel under the bridge, of the train tracks or to walk under the express way to head East.

In the near future, a PATH connection will be necessary for connecting the existing Distillery district as well as the new LEED neighbourhood
located at Toronto's East Bay Front and the West, Donland's Site.

The shelter's organic and varying form also has the potential to connect to the north side of the city under the tracks via the GO Station providing a protected connection towards the lake
front.