SHJworks: temporary fire shelter in copenhagen

‘fire shelter’ by SHJworks, copenhagen, denmarkimage © simon hjermind jensenall images courtesy of SHJworks

‘fire shelter’ by danish firm SHJworks, is a personal project located in sydhavnstippen, copenhagen. the starting point for the design emerged from a fascination of the place, as such it became a temporary project and experiment that celebrates the site. it is publicly accessible by a 20-minute bike ride from the city center and establishes experiences of a spatial and social character – it is simply thought of as a gift. the project was entirely constructed and conceived by the firm and the independent people that helped. if bureaucracy had been taken into account, the project probably wouldn’t have happened. the wish to act independently was the desire to create a unique and specific project without being subject to any kind of compromises.

rests in the landscape without any permanent anchorsimage © simon hjermind jensen

image © simon hjermind jensen

situated on what was once a landfill, the site has since been overtaken by vegetation and is now a habitat for many local animal species, a sort of ‘post-apocalyptic nature.’ the shelter is influenced by the vernacular designs of ethnic and nomadic people, consisting in a shape stretching around the sky. one hole in the top and two openings at the bottom create a flow of ventilation.

thin plywood panels are bent and stitched together with polycarbonate tiesimage © simon hjermind jensen

translucent polycarbonate structure at the roof glows with light at nightimage © simon hjermind jensen

plywood and polycarbonate are the main materials and all the different parts are fabricated using CNC technology. in total, the construct measures 4.7 meters tall with a diameter at ground level of 3.8 meters. the structural walls are between 2 and 9 mm thick, as thin bendable shells which are tightened together with bolts and a piece of 2 mm thick polycarbonate. the floor of the shelter is made of plywood and inside is a fire place surrounded by a bench filled with building materials found on the site. this ballast secures the structure to the ground without any kind of invasive foundation. the transparent polycarbonate panels at the top allow daylight during the day, and after dusk the light from the fire will shine through to the exterior, alluding to old time lighthouses.

image © simon hjermind jensen

interiorimage © simon hjermind jensen

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SHJworks / simon hjermind jensen (6)