Olson Kundig Architects blend both architectural simplicity and engineered kinetic infrastructure to accomplish a structure that can expose or exclude itself from the natural elements on the site. When approaching the Delta Shelter one is met with a barricaded weathered steel figure that seems as if it has something to hide inside. The structure’s apparent heaviness in comparison to the lightness of the surrounding wilderness dominates the site. The shelter acts as a mechanical tool for its occupants, allowing those who inhabit the structure to adapt the space between the fortification of the elements and exposure to curated views. The shutters are operated by a series of handheld wheels, driveshafts, gears, and pulleys that open all four facades simultaneously. As the shutters on the Delta Shelter transition from open to close, so does the relationships within the house. For example, the shutters influence the amount of natural light, ultimately changing the condition of the interior. The architects’ concept and strategy were to build an adjustable housing unit, using human power. In conjunction with light and views, material choices have a major influence on the architectural representation and structural integrity of the shelter. Materials range from weathered steel to light spruce plywood, giving the architecture a natural and raw appearance that relates to its surroundings. The relationship between characteristics such as steel, and the structure’s mechanical components allows the compact house to feel bolstered. The building is purely adaptive, continually transitioning and changing the quality of the space within the shelter. Olson Kundig’s Delta Shelter project integrates a raw and industrial architectural interpretation through the choice of material with user-oriented kinetic engineering, allowing those who inhabit it to adapt to the spaces, creating a structure capable of adapting to the needs of the occupier.