BERNADETTE ROSANO & PATRICIA DIAZ
Camp Winston Nature Hut

The Nature Hut for Camp Winston is designed to be a safe space for children and teens with neurobiological disorders. The pavilion was required to provide shelter and be enclosed whilst being low impact on the natural environment and promoting a peaceful, meditative space. To impact the environment as little as possible, untreated cedar wood was used for the rib structure and decking in order to maintain the natural surrounding while avoiding any harsh chemical treatments. The white fins are made of gator board to allow for durability and translucency; they are purposefully angled to allow for views to the outside at eye level but provide shelter from rain and harsh, direct summer sun by closing at the top. The gravel pit in the center creates a connection to the earth, emphasizing that this is a safe space. The ribs and fins together create a warm atmosphere with a diffused natural light, creating a comforting enclosure for the campers whilst creating a soft visual impact on the surroundings.


The low impact that the pavilion has on the environment lends itself to using natural materials, this in turn creates a soft transition from outside to inside and a sense of biophilia.



Toronto Metropolitan Department of  Architectural Science Toronto, CA.