{"id":11313,"date":"2015-02-20T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-02-20T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/architizer.wpengine.com\/snow-mageddon-snow-problem\/"},"modified":"2022-05-31T11:50:36","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T15:50:36","slug":"snow-mageddon-snow-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/practice\/details\/snow-mageddon-snow-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Snowbound? ‘Sno Problem: 6 Ways to Make the Most out of the White Stuff"},"content":{"rendered":"

The last freezing phase of the current ice age<\/a> ended around 10,000 years ago, but the residents of certain cities in the northeastern U.S. could be forgiven for thinking it has returned with a vengeance: Boston is in danger of buckling under the weight of 95.7 inches of snow<\/a> so far this winter, and the urban landscape has been transformed into an anarchic playground in the process.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the ludicrously cold conditions appear to have gone straight to the heads of the perishing public \u2014 our neighbors to the north have already developed a proof-of-concept<\/a> for the eponymous locomotive of the 2014 post-apocalyptic thriller Snowpiercer<\/i><\/a>. Some 2,000 Boston College students vented their frustration in a well-orchestrated snowball fight<\/a>, while other citizens seem intent on doing more harm to themselves: Boston\u2019s mayor had to issue a statement telling locals to quit diving out of first floor windows into snow, because \u201cthey could kill themselves<\/a>.\u201d Real talk.<\/p>\n

So, how about thinking of some more constructive ways to utilize the vast swaths of snow and ice that have been piling up all around us? Here are six ideas to get you started \u2014 just make sure you wear gloves, ok?<\/p>\n

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Via mlive<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Build With It<\/b><\/p>\n

For architects, snow is manna from heaven. You can carve it, mold it, sculpt it, and stack it, and it is the most perfect shade of white: heck, its almost as cool as concrete. Check out our guide for building the perfect snow forts right here<\/a>, and shape your frozen metropolis forthwith.<\/p>\n

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Get Lost In It<\/b><\/p>\n

This normally would not constitute good advice, but in the case of PinPin Studio\u2019s snow maze and playground in Kiruna, Sweden<\/a>, it actually makes for a pretty magical experience. The walls are ten feet high and are constructed from a combination of snow and perfectly clear ice from the Torne River: sublime.<\/p>\n

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Via Huffington Post<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Draw With It<\/b><\/p>\n

If you prefer the lighter touch, consider a little graphic design or fine art upon the surface. Artist Simon Beck<\/a> uses some mind-boggling coordination to create these perfect geometric patterns upon the frozen lakes of Savoie in France, akin to the enigmatic Nazca Lines of Peru. Each piece is typically the size of three soccer fields, I kid you not\u2026<\/p>\n

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Via Agonistica<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Photograph It<\/b><\/p>\n

Of course, There are some sculptures that only nature is capable of producing, with just the right combination of snow, ice, fog, and gale-force winds. These beautifully bizarre features are captured by storm-chasing photographer Marco Korosec<\/a>, whose otherworldly images are entitled ‘Ice Dragons.’<\/p>\n

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