Shiver House was previously installed in 2015 as part of the Barfotastigen exhibition in Korppoo, Finland. The project was intended to be in-situ for 4 months but due to its popularity it was kept on-site on a longer-term basis. On the project’s second year, Korppoo - the island on which it sits, began hosting summer concerts next to the project as part of the renowned Jazz festival “Korppoo Sea Jazz”. A new edition has been created to celebrate the project’s 5-year anniversary constructed out of Finnish Airplane Ply.

About Shiver House 

Shiver House is a radical reinvention of the common Finnish Hut (mökki). The project is a kinetic “animal-like” structure that moves and adapts in response to surrounding natural forces. Shiver House is an exploration into the idea that architecture can be used as a means to create a closer emotional link between its inhabitants and the natural world it sits within. In addition, the project explores the idea that architecture can be made to seem “alive” with the intention that this will engender a deeper and longer-lasting emotional relationship between people and the structures we inhabit.

“While the world is adjusting to the new reality of Covid-19 I feel that there needs to be a greater emphasis given to the way architecture, art, and design might be used as a means of reducing anxiety, connecting us with nature and bringing people together again in public spaces. Shiver House’s architecture is in a constant state of transformation and ‘performs’ with the ever-changing flows of the wind, it is an ideal means of grounding people in the present moment,”
said Mark Nixon of NEON.

The house employs the use of 600 kinetic counter-weighted shingles which respond to the changing weather conditions of the site. Wind, rain, and snow cause the shingles to rotate into a closed position giving the structure the temporary appearance and function of a shelter. The Shiver House is constantly transforming between being a functional shelter and a poetic and experiential device. Users that sit within the structure can observe the ever-changing environment as they watch the kinetic shingles modulate the internal light levels as well as views out to the surrounding landscape.

The project is constructed using a simple timber structure which supports a number of rows of tensioned steel wire. These steel wires are treated as batons and are designed to hold the counterweighted shingles. The shingles are constructed using a folded and cut Airplane Ply which has been soaked in a protective oil. The counterweight is constructed using a stainless-steel nut and bolt.

Conceptually, the piece suggests that architecture, rather than static and function-led can be a poetic, living, and dynamic element which changes the way we relate to the landscape that surrounds us.

“Every year, the Barfotastigen exhibition invites professional artists to interact with the unique archipelago environment – asking them to respond to the site and/or issues concerning the wider archipelago area,” Sandra Nyberg the curator of Barfotastigen explained.

“While most works are temporary with a life span of 4 months to a year, Shiver House quickly became part of the site in a very prominent way. Therefore – to the delight of our visitors, the organizers of the Korpo Sea Jazz festival, and of course ourselves – we decided to commission a new version of the work and make it a more permanent feature of the exhibition. The concept of the work suits well to be experienced in all seasons and times of the day. The everchanging conditions strongly and fittingly alter the mood of the work, ranging from lively and light to somber and subdued.”

The protective oil was kindly donated by Virtasen Maalitehdas.

About Barfotastigen

Barfotastigen is an exhibition that focuses on environmental and site-specific art. It invites the public to take part of the unique nature of the archipelago and experience contemporary art that has been created to interact with the environment. Every year the exhibition explores the human-nature relationship and nature’s impact on us in one way or another.

About NEON

Life is monotonous. We are often wrapped up in our thoughts as we move from place to place. We can become blind to the environments and objects we interact with. NEON was founded to elevate the everyday.

We empathize and listen to ensure our projects resonate with people who use them. We manipulate familiar materials in ways previously unimagined. We design with every sense in mind. We deliver once in a lifetime emotional experience.

NEON is an award-winning design practice based in Margate, UK. The studio was founded to investigate the territory between architecture, art, and design. We have worked on projects ranging in scale from objects up to monumental art installations.

About Virtasen Maalitehdas

Aimo Virtanen started to make paints in 1959 in Pargas, in the Finnish archipelago near Turku, because he had to; he wasn’t happy with the quality of any other product available. Aimo Virtanen’s linseed oil-based paint which consists of four natural oils has since received a reputation of high quality, durable paint.

The products of the versatile collection of Virtasen paints offer a good finish for both modern log houses and traditional wooden structures. Natural and breathing oils protect the core of the wood as well as the people inhabiting the buildings. The paints are easy to apply without dripping.