Warming Huts v2026

Collage of whimsical winter scenes featuring abstract sculptures, colorful cubist artwork, an igloo structure, and a person in winter wear. Snowy background sets a playful tone.
  • Row of large, white, rectangular snow arches on a snow-covered path, bordered by leafless trees and a frozen pond. The sky is hazy and serene.

    2026 Invited Artist: 2026 Invited Artist

    by Franziska Agrawal (Munich, Germany)

    This winning installation by Franziska Agrawal transforms the frozen Assiniboine River into a 30-meter snow corridor. Shaped entirely from compacted snow, it invites skaters and walkers to move through an open-air igloo of shifting light, sound, and temperature. Minimal in form yet monumental in presence, Continuum creates an immersive winter experience along the river trail.

  • A snowy landscape with a parent and child walking a dog. They approach a large, abstract rabbit sculpture with geometric shapes and pastel colors.

    Winner: Moon Rabbit

    by Yu Liu (Shanghai, China)

    Inspired by ancient mythology, the Moon Rabbit symbolizes wisdom, good fortune, longevity, and reunion. As the messenger of the Moon Palace, she quietly greets visitors with a serene, mythical charm. The hut features a timber frame with translucent polycarbonate walls that glow at night, while an elevated deck provides cozy seating and shelter beneath for small animals.

  • A person in a colorful patchwork coat skates on an icy path beside a whimsical, cube-shaped art installation featuring various animal designs in a snowy park.

    Winner: Wildlife Scramble

    Charles Sharpless (Fayetteville, USA), Jessica Colangelo (Fayetteville, USA), Adrian Gonzalez (Gainesville, USA), and Ashley Colangelo (Gainesville, USA)

    This warming hut celebrates the diversity of flora and fauna in Manitoba through an interactive series of custom illustrated 360-degree rotating blocks. Skaters at the Forks will be filled with joy, warmth, and laughter as they explore unique and playful combinations of creatures wearing toques, sweaters, and skates in various habitats. Bench seats and framed openings offer a place to rest and adorable spots to take memorable photos of loved ones.

  • Split image featuring a sketch and a realistic rendering of a futuristic building. Left side: a simple line drawing of a pyramid-shaped structure on a hill. Right side: a realistic metallic pyramid building in a snowy landscape, two figures in the distance. The scene conveys isolation and futuristic design.

    Winner: Dram

    by Noël Picaper (Paris, France) and Joffrey About (Bruxelles, Belgium)

    Dram transforms the ancient siege ram into a quiet instrument of encounter. This triangular metal structure floats above the ice, with a horn-shaped weather vane that whistles in the wind. A suspended tree trunk acts as a gong, producing a slow, resonant note that fills the winter air. A small alcove invites visitors to pause, observe, and connect, turning the hut into a shared ritual of sound and presence.

  • A geometric architectural model features a series of connected cubic frames with mesh sides, highlighted by a blue cube and a vibrant pink cube. The design conveys a modern, minimalist aesthetic.

    Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba: Bridge-Stairs for John Hedjuk

    The warming hut design will use scaffolding as the base structural system, and the project will respond to the site, while accommodating the thousands of skaters that pass through every year. The design will highlight the vibrant nightlife on the river trail, while framing the landmarks that embody the Forks Historic Port as skaters and pedestrians descend to the river. Focusing on framing the view of The Historic Rail Bridge, The Forks Market Tower, and the Red Navigation Light in the harbour, our design will animate and celebrate the iconic experience that is the river trail at The Forks.

  • A cardboard and paper pyramid houses a toy figure sitting in a white armchair. A small campfire is nearby. The scene is set in a spacious room.

    School Edition: Warm Up With a Great Book

    Shaped like an open book, this warming hut celebrates literacy, community, and local art. The front cover honors the Bison Run School mascot, while a scaled replica beside the hut serves as a Little Free Library. Inside, visitors can share book and author recommendations, creating a warm, interactive space for reading on a cold winter day.