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Phase 1: Install the balloons in November

Before snow's coming, we can install man-sized air balloons which would be converted into void rooms during the winter. These balloons would serve as a ‘cast’ to build a temporary house. This new way is incomparably simple and economical than any other conventional construction method.


Phase 2: Leave the balloons until they are covered with snow in December

After installation, we can just wait until the air balloon is covered with the snow. The deep drifts of snow will play a role as an insulation outer wall, which means that the more it snows, the warmer the shelter is. 


Phase 3: Burst the balloon and occupy the space in December through March

Once the balloon is entirely covered with snow, people can burst the balloon, retaining a small entrance. As the balloon is blew up, empty space would be created in the snowdrift. The void space could be used as a temporary shelter for the homeless. 


Phase 4 : Pick up the piece of balloons in March

As spring comes, the shelter is starting to melt and disappear naturally. By only picking the piece of balloons, we can easily clean the remains. In comparison to the traditional deconstruction method, the new way barely produces waste, and it does not require a tremendous energy for deconstruction. 

SNOW BUBBLE HEAVEN
: Who is the most vulnerable people in the cold city?

The rich can withstand the cold and survive, while it is hard for people who have nothing to stand against it. We focused on the vulnerable people, especially homeless in the cold city, and contemplated how COLDSCAPE could contribute to improvement in their quality of life. 

Boston has highest homeless population among major 25 cities surveyed nationwide. But traditional shelters have been over capacity for years. The number of homeless families in Boston rises up 25% in 2014. In the meantime, in dangerously low temperature, some homeless prefer the streets to traditional shelters so that they can live an unconstrained life with their companion animals and possessions.

We, hereby suggest an individual shelter for homeless by making the most use of snow, abundant local and natural resource of Boston. A huge amount of snow accumulation has been such nuisances, which could be a raw material for the temporary shelter.

In November, numerous full blown balloons are disposed, and the bubble is being buried under snow, as winter comes. After then, the homeless crawls into the room, popping the balloon, and finally, they could survive in the shelters over the severe winter. The colder it is, the thicker the shelter is, and the warmer they feel. This is a special strategy for heavy snow city because it is only effective way of making space in cold climate.