Fire Wings

Qinhuangdao, China

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Learning Center, University of Science and Technology of China

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Under the Same Eaves

Fire Wings

Qinhuangdao, China

Firm

Heimat Architects

Type

Commercial › Pop-Up

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2024

SIZE

0 sqft - 1000 sqft

BUDGET

$10K - 50K

Background

Fire Wings, as bonfire installation by the seaside, is one of the most popular and highly attended events at this year's Aranya Theater Festival. Positioned at the terminus of the festival’s coastal parade, the bonfire serves as both the peak and the finale of the evening’s celebrations. Located on a stretch of beach between the festival’s walkways and the open sea, this installation benefits from a vast and enchanting natural setting but also faces challenging conditions—shifting sands, unpredictable winds, and rain.

Concept

For the past three years, the seaside bonfire has been an enduring public art project at the Aranya Theater Festival, with artists leading its design in prior years. This year, however, the vision was designed by architects, introducing an architectural rather than purely sculptural approach.

The tradition of igniting grand fires resonates across diverse cultures, symbolizing both celebration and ritual. The design team aimed to present a bonfire unlike any before, drawing inspiration from the ancient "ant kiln burning" customs in the Chaozhou-Shantou region of southern China. This tradition informed the intimate dance between fire and structure, where contact, fusion, and separation converge.

The Dance of Fire and Form

The core of the design focuses on the transformation of material states brought by fire and the different forms of the bonfire over time, presenting layered visual scenes to evoke multiple experiences and emotions in the viewer. With fire involved, the installation is defined by its stages: before burning, during burning, and after burning.

Before Burning: During the day, the bonfire installation appears as a static, simple geometric entity, with an outer black perforated shell subtly revealing a glowing orange interior.

As night falls and the flames are kindled, the bonfire passes through three dynamic stages:
• Internal Ignition: Flames from the internal ignition tube cast silhouettes through the outer shell, creating a lantern-like effect.
• Full Blaze: Fire spreads outward to engulf the exterior, transforming the structure into a roaring, all-encompassing blaze—a sight both intense and mesmerizing.
• Descent of Ashes: As the fire wanes, embers fall softly from the collapsing wooden panels, the light fading, the structure settling into silence.

After Burning: After about 15 minutes of burning, only a delicate steel skeleton remains, giving a sense of void and silence. The dark sky, occasional lightning, sporadic raindrops, and thunder amplify the atmosphere, adding a raw, dynamic beauty of nature. The sea, beach, night sky, lightning, rain, and bonfire combine to offer the audience an unforgettable, layered sensory experience.

Design and Realization

The design incorporates practical elements for controlled burning, such as lower ignition access, upper venting, and external ventilation. The base is anchored in the sand, with a geometric steel plate filled with sand for stability. The frame is constructed in four units using threaded steel and rebar in a truss pattern. The perforated shell consists of layered wood panels, with orange fabric as the backdrop. The central square tube serves as the ignition point, initiating the burn.

The Fire Wings installation covers an area of 8m x 6m with a height of 7m, and it consists of four main parts: a foundation, a steel framework, a wooden outer shell, and an internal ignition cylinder. The overall design thoughtfully considers combustion factors, including ignition at the base, exhaust at the top, and ventilation around the perimeter. The foundation is anchored in the sand, with both the steel plate and lower steel legs embedded and filled with sand for ballast. The steel framework is divided into four units, with A-frame grids made from rebars. The perforated outer shell is created by layering small wooden panels, backed by orange fabric. The inner square cylinder serves as the core, providing the ignition point and the origin of the flames.

Conclusion

Fire, as a form of energy, relies on combustible material as its medium or carrier. Across centuries, fire has been endowed with multiple meanings—function, entertainment, artistry, and spirituality. When elevated beyond its functional use, fire becomes a symbol, infused with cultural meaning that resonates across regions and peoples.

The Fire Wings installation, though ephemeral, embodies a ritualistic and communal spirit. Beyond providing mere entertainment, it aspires to serve as a vessel of cultural memory, igniting the shared essence of a fleeting moment that lingers long after the flames have died.