SALIRAJA Yurt Project: Difference between revisions

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Background

CCAT is the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, CA. Currently the CCAT Yurt has a moldy canvas roof and our goal is to replace it with a water resistant, structurally sound, recycled roof.

Problem statement

The objective of this project is to creatively utilize recycled materials to create an aesthetically pleasing and technically appropriate yurt roof.

Literature Review

This is a review of some of the available literature on lighting pertinent to the yurt re-roofing project at CCAT. The CCAT yurt is a freestanding structure without wiring or electricity. In the past, light was emitted into the building via the white canvas roof. Since that roof has molded it is very dark inside. Because the yurt relies on the roof for light integrating a mold-resistant skylight will be essential.

Lighting Concerns

Arcata, Ca is an area which on average has a less than 50% chance of experiencing a sunny day.^[1] This means that a passive solar daylight system must be designed with this in mind. According to Helmut Köster in his book on daylight architecture, it is possible to capture enough light from the sun if the skylights and windows are placed appropriately.^[2]Visual appeal is also important, both on the interior and exterior of the yurt.

Lighting Options

There are several ways to create daylighting that maximize the availability of the suns light. Solar tubes are a very popular method of natural lighting, and can provide very strong focused light through refraction and reflection of the light via mirrors and lenses inside a tube.^[3] This same (though less dramatic) effect can be created through the use of old plastic water bottles filled with water which is able to refract the sunlight as well.^[4][5]Skylights do not have the same capacity to intensify the sun and capture as much of it, and rely more strongly on clear skies and proper placement^[6] this makes them a less desirable option for the yurt project.

Visuals

If the plastic bottle solar tubes were to be used it would be an added benefit to enhance their visual appeal in the interior of the yurt. Susan Wasinger outlines in her eco-craft book several lamp-shade type projects highlighting creative reuse which would be appropriate, assuming the bottle-bulbs provide enough light.^[7]

Citation

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