"What is a yurt?" you might ask...
 |
| ... here it is in the process of being constructed... |
A traditional yurt (from the Turkic languages) or ger (Mongolian) is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by several distinct nomadic groups in the steppes of Central Asia. The structure comprises an angled assembly or latticework of pieces of wood or bamboo for walls, a door frame, ribs (poles, rafters), and a wheel (crown, compression ring) possibly steam-bent. The roof structure is often self-supporting, but large yurts may have interior posts supporting the crown. The top of the wall of self-supporting yurts is prevented from spreading by means of a tension band which opposes the force of the roof ribs. Modern yurts may be permanently built on a wooden platform; they may use modern materials such as steam-bent wooden framing or metal framing, canvas or tarpaulin, Plexiglas dome, wire rope, or radiant insulation.From what I've heard, the latticework side structure means that it is very strong in straight-line winds - not any better in tornadoes though than regular structures.
This one being built on the campus is not intended to be portable, but it does provide additional indoor meeting/gathering space with a distinctive character and design that is appropriate on a campus that is international in intention and ministry. It also will have a concrete floor and will have heating and cooling. All of the parts were delivered a week or so ago, and folks have been working on building it. (Karla, in the mail room, was a little concerned when she heard that it was going to be delivered in parts and asked, "Is it coming by mail?" The answer: No, it was delivered by a truck.)
As I understand from the folks who know, it will be used during the big Bible Translation Conference that will be held on campus in the middle of October as a space for break-outs or other gatherings.
No comments:
Post a Comment