Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SPACE STRUCTURE AND A METHOD FOR PRESENTING THEREIN
ESPECIALLY THE COLD SEASON
The present invention relates to a spatial structure arranged
especially for the spending of leisure, said space having wall
and, correspondingly, roof structures defining one or several
interior spaces separated from open-air. The present invention
further relates to a method for presenting and/or for the
realization of different climatic, especially winter activi-
ties in spaces separated from open-air and defined by es-
sentially closed structures.
Greenhouses and the like spaces are known, which spaces are
separated from open-air and where, within a cut-off of tempera-
ture minimums and especially an artificially achieved rise of
temperature, it is possible to grow also such plants which at
the latitudes in question would not survive on their own, due
to alternations in the open-air temperature. Such greenhouses
are usually intended for producing plants or parts .of plants
to be eaten or sensed in some way or in certain circumstances
to promote scientific functions. One also knows zoological
gardens usually having sheds for selected kinds of animals
arranged so that the animals at least during some seasons and
especially during the cold seasons obtain shelter against the
climate.
Partially refrigerated spaces such as artificial ice tracks
for skating, where certain winter sport activities can be
practiced regardless of the outdoor temperature are also
known. For similar purposes essentially horizontal ski tracks
have been developed which are furnished with artificial snow.
Deep frozen spaces used for the storage especially of food
stuff in such a low temperature that the natural biological
degradation is slowed down or completely prevented are also
known.
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In connection with sporting facilities it has earlier been
proposed to combine artificial ice tracks with heated, pos-
sibly roofed, winter football fields, so that the waste heat
produced by the freezing plant could be utilized for the
heating of the football field lawn using an underground
heating system.
The aforesaid space arrangements having a controlled tempera-
ture are each individually intended for some rather limited
activity. Thus, until now there has existed no overall space
arrangement based on natural activities or functions in ac-
cordance with the different seasons of the year and where the
seasons of earth and especially its northern regions could be
presented at a latitude and a time of choice and in an environ-
ment as natural as possibly.
In order to amend the above described deficiency the present
invention discloses a solution as described in the appended
claims. Thus, the spatial structure according to the present
invention is characterized in that several such at least
partially closed separate spaces are arranged within an es-
sentially unitary interior space or in immediate connecteion
thereto, wherein the climate in each of said separate spaces
can be separately regulated in accordance with mutually dif-
fering conditions. Again, the method according to the present
invention is characterized by regulating the temperature of
separate essentially closed individual spaces, which spaces
are arranged suitably in a common interior space or immediate-
ly in connection thereto, individually to correspond to a
certain climate, especially a season of the year, so that
activities and functions corresponding to the respective
climate conditions are brought to accomplishment in a space
presenting the mean temperature of the respective climate.
The invention will now be described by way of exemple with
reference to the appended schematic drawings, wherein:
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Figure 1 discloses a plan drawing of a solution according to
one embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 2 as a sectional view discloses the embodiment of
Figure 1 as seen from the side,
Figure 3 as a perspective view discloses the embodiment of
Figure 1, and
Figure 4 discloses a possible detail of one separate space.
The embodiment of Figure 1 comprises two for architectural
reasons circular structures 1, la which define a common
interior space. Said structures comprise a wall/roofing struc-
ture 2, 3 which suitably is heat insulated or which in some
other manner at least to some extent balances the temperature
impact of the ambient climate. Said structures are arranged,
in the embodiment disclosed, as two main cupolas, as evident
especially from Figure 3. Of course, this outer structure 2, 3
can also be accomplished in any other shape, e.g. as a
pyramid, as a conventional parallelepiped or as an arbitrary
multi-shaped structure. The cupola or corresponding structure
is favorably made of glass or the like material which at least
to some extent is permeable to sun light so that the light
and/or darkness of the ambient outdoor space can be utilized
also in the interior space.
In the embodiment disclosed the implementation of a main
cupola structure 1a generally corresponds to an ice stadium or
a corresponding hall known per, se and arranged for sports or
the like activities, i.e. it comprises a central suitably
refrigerated field 4, e.g. an artificial ice track known per
se, including a stand 5 also known per se. This space can be
utilized e.g. for sports activities, concerts, dance per-
formances, shows or the like activities. In this cupola
structure essentially warm climate conditions prevail, but the
' structure logically and functionally connects to a second main
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cupola 1 in accordance with the basic inventive idea, wherein
the general climate as such might be even considerably colder.
According to the invention several separate spaces 7 to 10, 12
to 14 or groups of separate spaces 11, 15, 16 are located in
an interior space 6 defined by said main cupola 1. In ac-
cordance with the present invention the temperature in each of
such separate spaces can be separately regulated in accordance
with the desired activity or function.
One or favorably several machineries known per se (not dis-
closed in the drawings) working in accordance with the heat
pump principles or in a corresponding manner are arranged, for
the regulation of the temperature, in a service space 22, 22a
connected favorably to each of said main cupolas 1, la,
suitably located under the cupola. These machinery(ies)
is(are) used to refrigerate those spaces which are to be
colder than the other ones . The excess heat generated in the
refrigeration of the cold spaces is favorably utilized for
heating spaces 5, 9 which are warmer than other spaces.
Favorably, a machinery for works of ice art suitable in an
arctic landscape is also arranged in said service space, as
well as other machinery and equipment necessary for the
function of the arrangement. Said service spaces also suitably
comprise spaces, means and equipment for the production and
maintenance of snow sculptures or the like.
In the disclosed embodiment spaces for reception, ticket sale
26 as well as certain restaurant space 27 are arranged between
said main cupolas 1, la, said spaces thus serving both main
cupolas. Also the temperature regulating machinery favorably
serves both spaces either as such or via separate heat
transporting units. In the disclosed embodiment both main
cupolas further are surrounded by a ski/slalom and/or sledge
slope 23 with artificial snow which also favorably is ac-
complished by said machineries. Said slope 23 encircles the
cupola structures 1, la favorably so that it ends below the
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level of the service spaces 22 at a level 24 from which a lift
25 takes the users back up to the top of the slope 23. In this
manner, for cupolas 1, la having a height of e.g. about 40
meters and a corresponding diameter of about 70 meters, a
slope 23 is achieved which has a length of about 500 meters .
Accomplished in this scale the stand arranged in the cupola la
will hold 2000 to 5000 persons.
According to the present invention. separate spaces or groups
of separate spaces are arranged in the suitably cold main
cupola 1, the temperature in each individual space being
regulated by a suitable refrigeration and/or heating equipment
known her se. Thus, a "garden of the four seasons" arranged in
the main cupola 1 represents one of the most typical space
entities in accordance with the present invention. Said garden
comprises suitably four separate spaces defined by at least
partially transparent walls, wherein a space 7 may exhibit a
typical Nordic or Arctic winter scenery where winter con-
ditions and a corresponding temperature is thus arranged.
Especially in order to provide winter conditions a winter
scenery arrangement in accordance with US-Patent No. 5,407,392
by the same inventor is favorably arranged in the space. Said
arrangement provides, by means of a refrigerating machinery
and the introduction of water vapor, ice formations
representing winter conditions, which formations may be either
separately provided objects of~art or e.g. natural trees and
structures covered with rime frost. The space further may
comprise natural plants and animals capable of enduring the
winter and/or imitations thereof. Favorably, sound and light
effects showing the season disclosed in a space is arranged in
the corresponding space, i.e. the wind whistling and the
animals howling in the winter, the murmur of trees, illumi-
nation representing the darkness of the polar night and
Norther lights effects accomplished favorably by a light cable
arrangement etc.
Correspondingly, the space 8 succeeding the winter scenery
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favorably corresponds to the Nordic spring. Favorably, this
space too comprises the same apparatus i.e. temperature
regulating and other apparatus, which apparatus transform the
conditions prevailing in the space to correspond to the
desired season. In a corresponding manner spaces 9 and 10 may
comprise sceneries and conditions presenting summer and
autumn, respectively. Of said spaces the one 9 representing
e.g. summer can, in practice, be accomplished with such a
temperature which actually discloses a tropical summer with
genuine tropical plants and animals. On the other hand, by
chosing an essentially similar apparatus for each space 7 to
and by selecting the natural plants and possibly animals
utilized such an arrangement can also be implemented wherein
the conditions in said spaces 7 to 10 actually continuously
change in a manner which corresponds to the natural change of
seasons or, for example, at a faster rhythm than the natural
one, where plants accustomed to Northern conditions will
thrive in the same manner as in nature . Also in these spaces
sound and light effects suitable for the season are
implemented, like the songs of birds, sunlight penetrating the
leafage of a rain forest, etc.
A garden arrangement showing the seasons of the year, as dis-
closed above, can be implemented as separate structures com-
prising one or several transparent walls, and/or especially
favorably so that a door leads thereto from the surrounding
space and/or from an adjacent space, which door constitutes an
entrance into the space so that one suitably can pass from one
space to another. According to some favorable embodiments of
the present invention the general concept can comprise, in
addition to or replacing the season gardens disclosed, also
other space arrangements implemented either separately or
within one main cupola 1. Thus, e.g. an arctic sauna entity 11
is favorably linked to the structure. Such a sauna entity
suitably comprises separate bathing spaces arranged under
cupolas or such like arranged within the main space 6, said
bathing spaces having warm and cold pools e.g. in a manner
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more closely discussed below. Here a cold pool 14 may comprise
an ice cover made by a refrigeration machinery, said ice cover
having a hole in the ice for winter swimming. The same pool 14
can also serve a winter fishing arrangement so that the pool
contains fish to be caught from under the ice cover using e.g.
ice angler's jigs, said fish being either especially brought
into the pool or bred therein.
Especially favorably said sauna entity 11 comprises a common
separate space 11a covering several smaller separate spaces
12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12e, said common space suitably being ar-
ranged within the main space 6 and as such surrounding said
separate spaces 12, 12a, 12b etc. arranged for different
functions. Thus, an entity is implemented in practice, which
comprises several nested structural layers wherein the space
6, 6a between each of every respective two structural layers
1-lla, lla-12 etc. can be separately climate conditioned in
accordance with the principles set forth in the present appli-
cation.
Correspondingly, the climate in each of the innermost separate
spaces 12, 12a, 12b etc. can be changed as desired in a manner
which differs from the one in an adjacent or surrounding
space. Thus, the sauna entity 'll disclosed in Figure 1 com-
prises a central steam room 12 which suitably is arranged in
an intermediate cupola 11a and around which steam room,
besides said earlier disclosed ice cold pool 14a arranged in
said separate space 12a, also a warm pool is arranged in a
further separate space 12b.
The climate in said separate space 12b can further, either as
an entity or to separate, in certain cases separately re-
frigerated structures, be so cold that the water steaming from
the warm pool will form rime frost on the structures of the
space 12b and thus constitute a beautiful natural decoration.
Besides these cold separate spaces 12a, 12b an entirely warm
space 12c for e.g. children may be arranged in said space lla,
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said warm space comprising a warm pool and possibly imitations
of frosted structures and plants and/or plants and other
decorations adapted for a warm space. A separate snow bath
space 12d can further be connected to said sauna space 12,
said snow bath space comprising artificial snow where it is
possible to tumble or roll around in connection with the sauna
bathing.
Said separate spaces 12, 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d arranged
favorably in an intermediate space 11a are favorably mutually
interconnected by suitably transparent corridors llb. In the
same manner a connection is arranged to dressing rooms 11c
arranged suitably in the vicinity of the circumference of the
intermediate space lla, as well as, for example, to a separate
space 12e comprising an ice bar. This space 12e can also be
arranged partially outside the wall/roof structure defining
said intermediate space lla as disclosed in the Figure.
The general arrangement can further comprise an arctic zoo 13,
an arctic fishing and diving pool 14 as disclosed above, as
well as suitably other separate spaces for such leisure, hobby
or sports activities as can be adapted to a winter landscape.
In a corresponding manner e.g. snow churches 15, 15a, 15b for
one or suitably different religious groups can be arranged in
the common space 6 defined by the common main cupola 1, for
weddings or similar occasions. The space also favorably com-
prises a snow hotel with igloo type accommodation spaces 16,
16a, 16b, in connection to which favorably spaces for washing
and similar utilities are arranged for each accommodation
space. These washing spaces can favorably be used also as
dressing rooms for people visiting the structure, giving oppor-
tunity to change into appropriate dress in accordance with the
conditions prevailing in each of the separate spaces.
In the disclosed embodiment an artificial iceberg 17 is
further arranged centrally in the interior space 6 generally
disclosing arctic conditions, said iceberg being arranged
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either in its closed separate space or located freely directly
in the interior space 6. In this respect Figure 4 discloses an
iceberg scenery which, in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention, is confined into its own separate space
by transparent walls 18. In this case there can also be ani-
mals belonging to the arctic world either as living specimen
19 or as imitations 20, suitably also as plants 21 connected
to said scenery. If an iceberg 17 is arranged directly in a
common interior space 6 it can, on the other hand, be utilized
e.g. for climbing. The erosion of the iceberg 17 caused by the
climbing activities can namely be especially easily amended by
the refrigerating capacity at hand.
Above some embodiment of the present invention as well as some
arrangements implementable in accordance therewith have been
disclosed by way of example. For the professional it is, how-
ever, clear that the invention can be utilized also in other
ways within the scope of the appended claims.
