Firing

Orthographic drawings of proposed warming hut: Interheater.

Published January 23, 2023

Historically, fire is the process of combustion ignited through the chemical reaction of heat, oxygen and fuel. Students examined historical contexts of fire within the world as ritualistic events or elements of survival.

Fire in architecture can be looked to as a material and can be associated with energy. In the context of materiality, it is often coupled with ideas of thermal adaptation when considering human life, shelter and survival. Over time, fire’s usefulness in the built environment has been transformed into a dangerous element if not properly tended to. Architects today have shifted their designs to relinquish fire - once the center of the built environment - and prevent its use in contemporary society.

Students explored the concept of fire being redacted from architecture when approaching this studio. They looked to examples of how fire has been incorporated within architecture as forms of energy with the industrial revolution and how it has been replaced by other energy sources altogether. Beginning with methods of energy transfer, students fabricated a device designed to be a source to heat a single object.

Students used the techniques they developed in creating their heat sources as they transitioned into teams. The teams developed habitable spaces, fabricated based on their individual research methods of heat and energy transfer. These methods took many forms and utilized several materials. They were encouraged to choose materials for their thermal properties and ephemeral qualities. Some of the materials students used included wood, metal, glass, cloth and, in some cases, food.

On-site, students documented the ephemeral experiences from within their structures. The following is an excerpt of student work.

"Settled along the creek bed, Firebox stands out of the shallow water. The crisp rectangular form supported by 4 feet. This alien object is placed in a dense early spring forest. The spring melt left the creek cold and raw, left ragged from the recent highwater. Seeking shelter from the cold sunny day, we removed our shoes to enter this chilly space. We began to kindle a fire, lifting the hatches under the decked floor. I grabbed the fuel to start a fire, letting it slowly heat the oven, filling the space with a smoky cedar aroma, opening the walls slightly to let the smoke vent. The cool air was brought in through the wooden decked floor, gradually warming the kettle on the oven and infusing the dry air with steam. The shadow of the steam reflected against the synthetic envelope separating us from the forest. The translucent skin filtered our view of the trees, with the sunlight brightening the interior with an even brilliant light. With the kettle whistling I put the loose green tea into the glasses, pouring the water over the tea and letting the new smell fill the air. As I drink my tea, I notice the creek through the floor juxtaposed with the fabric skin. Thinking about relaxing in this bright clean space, a hideaway from the still, hibernating forest, noticing the sounds of life returning"

Thermal analysis and final mockup: Project Fire Box.