Environment (Grass Hut) completion notes 4/18/10

Emily Nielsen and I set out to create a gnome home in which a small child could play. When we happened upon the field of dead grass our gnome home evolved into a grass hut. We realized that we should add stability, so we cut down fresh limbs that we could mold into a dome shape. To give the hut a uniform shape, we drove a stake into the ground and used a string to create a circle. Then for additional stability we drove the stake into the ground every 12 to 18 inches, following the circle.


After removing the stake the limbs were placed in the holes and shoved into the earth as far as possible. The limbs we cut were 7 to 8 feet long, so we were able to construct a hut that was larger than we had first planned. We bent the limbs over and using small pieces of twine attached them to each other at their tips creating a dome affect.




We left the leaves on the limbs to help cover the shelter. After the structure of the shelter was complete, we used buttercup leaves to tie grass to the shelter for further protection from the elements and privacy.





We created a valance and a mat of buttercup leaves to add additional privacy and decorate the doorway.







When the structure was finished we took turns sitting inside of it. There was plenty of room. The structure was large enough for 2 - 3 children to play in comfortably. It is also adequate shelter in case of a light rain or light wind.





Some of our fellow students referred to our structure as "the birthing hut", in honor of Emily.







This grass hut was constructed using all environmentally friendly materials, that we left on site so, that park visitors can enjoy it. I went back to see the structure on Saturday and it was still completely intact.