nomadic sled habitats by rob sweere move across the arctic nomadic sled habitats by rob sweere move across the arctic
nov 20, 2013

nomadic sled habitats by rob sweere move across the arctic

nomadic sled habitats by rob sweere move across the arctic
all images courtesy of rob sweere

 

 

 

occupying a small space in the vast expanse of the icy uummannaq island high above the arctic circle in greenland are dutch artist rob sweere‘s set of sled habitats. the two sculptural dwellings that make up his ‘sledge-project’ are pictured parked in the chilly landscape, yet they are movable units, able to be towed by draft animal over the sea-ice. each snowmobile accomadates 6 people, is insulated, and can be used for sitting, cooking and sleeping. irregular in shape and construction, the bespoke design details hidden within the hut, like transparent portholes for outside panoramas, benches, and tabletops, allow for both functionally and aesthetic beauty.

 

 


the two wooden structures that make up ‘sledge-project’

 

 

together with the production team and inuit hunters, the white wooden huts were constructed onsite, overlooking ice bergs the size of buildings. the project was commissioned by the uummannaq polar institute and ann andreassen with a production team that included denmark based rené kristensen and children home uummannaq.

 

 


the interior of the sleigh habitats

 

 


irregular in shape and construction, the mobile units situate in the icy field

 

 


a door opens leading to the interior

 

 


view from the inside looking out to the landscape

 

 


the interior is fitted with a table and wooden benches

 

 


each sled accommodates about six people

 

 


overlooking the icy waters

 

 


transparent portholes reveal the landscape

 

nina azzarello I designboom
nov 20, 2013

  • looks like layered rolls of toilet paper

    justin says:
    Nov 20, 2013

  • Quite lovely- but what about heat? Hard to imagine using this as useful shelter in the Arctic winter without it.
    Yes, 6 people shivering inside it would generate some warmth, but… It would be interesting to hear the perspective of the Inuit hunters who helped to build these structures.

    mkc says:
    Nov 22, 2013

  • Huh.
    Yeah.
    You betcha.

    Ron Smith says:
    Nov 22, 2013

  • I wonder about solar power? for light, perhaps underfloor heating and hot water. I don’t see a loo, or a shower, or basin here.
    Have I missed the essentials of life, or is it as Mumbles says: *don’t eat yellow snow* ?
    All new ideas need time to mature and iron out the wrinkles. Be kind, you guys. Or SHOW US YOURS maybe!!!
    lol
    merry christmas

    priorite says:
    Nov 29, 2013

  • Priorite,
    They are meant for nomadic life. Nomads don’t often take western conveniences with them.
    As a shelter I think this could be effective. However, I do wonder how stable they would be in the arctic winds as they are high with a narrow base. They also have flat surfaces on the sides.

    Jamie says:
    Nov 30, 2013

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