Sorry, forgot to mention, I used rope tie-downs at each point on the outside of the yurt to give it extra strength against strong winds. Simple rebar hammered into the ground, then I put foam insulation tubing over the rebar so no one bangs their foot into it walking at night in the dark or impale themselves on it. You can also put simple soda bottles over the tips of the rebar, but that doesn't prevent someone from kicking it walking around in the dark, only the impaling part.
I tied rope onto the rebars, made a loop with a knot, then taped the knot to the roof points. I believe I had 5 tie-downs. I also used the "alternate H13 design", which allowed me to build the H13 in 2 sections here at home, and allowed me to fold them up into one perfect stack of panels all neat and tidy. This allowed for an extremely easy setup and take-down on the playa, most of which was done between 2 people (during set-up, we did get an extra hand from a 3rd to lift the roof section onto the wall section). Here is an awesome webpage describing the design we did (with diagrams and pics and everything): http://www.appropedia.org/Hexayurt_H13#Alternate_design Word of (potential) caution: The H13, because of the placing of that 13th panel, creates more surface area hence increased resistance to wind (as opposed to the regular 8 foot design which, not having as big a "face", lets the wind slip around itself more aerodynamically). However, from what I've heard/read so far, no one has had any major problems with wind and the H13. So far. And no, last summer at BM was not a true test, due to the unusually *weak *winds those days, which is uncharacteristic of the playa. -Alejandro On Wed, Jan 11, 2012 at 8:47 AM, Alejandro Moreno <[email protected]>wrote: > Lindsay, > > Last summer at BM, I built an H13 hexayurt, with the Camp Danger Hinge > technique. > > The H13 uses 13 panels instead of 12. This 13th panel gives you a taller > entrance, allowing people to stand up comfortably inside the yurt, and that > extra headroom also gives you more cooling, since it allows the warm air to > rise further away from your head whether sitting or standing. > > The Camp Danger hinge technique allows you to use tape for all your > hinges, and requires no beveling. If you'd rather bevel your edges, and > don't care that much about having extra headroom, than use the regular 8 > foot design. However, if you like the pluses of the H13 design (and I did > immensely), then go for it. > > We set a tarp down on the ground, and then taped it up on the outside. > However, this used a lot of tape, and ended up peeling some of the > reflective paper off of the panels, and that's not good. > > However, it still is in good enough condition for me to use it again in > the future. I saved all my panels (of course). And left as much of the > tape hinges intact as I could. I will have to retape some next year though. > > I only put in 1 window, using a furnace filter. When you want cross > draft, with only 1 window, you'd have to open the door. That might be bad > if it's really windy out (and say, you're at BM, then you're getting major > dust inside your yurt). However, with a 2nd window, you don't have to open > your door to get a cross draft. Next time I'm putting in a 2nd window for > sure, and maybe even one of those spinning roof vents. Swamp coolers sound > really great too, as during the hottest part of the day, it does get fairly > warm inside the yurt, enough to make you sweat if you're even doing > something as simple as i.e. sweeping. Though I have not built one myself > yet. Here are some links on the H13 and on the Camp Danger Hinge > Technique: > > *Hexayurt H13* - Appropedia: The sustainability > wiki<http://www.appropedia.org/Hexayurt_H13> > > http://dylantoymaker.net/toybox/2010/10/20/hexayurt/ > > Camp Danger Hinge technique: http://hexayurt.com/ > > Thread on the H13: > https://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt/browse_thread/thread/66df3ffd445cd7d8?pli=1 > > Enjoy! > > -Alejandro > > On Wed, Jan 11, 2012 at 4:00 AM, [email protected] <[email protected]>wrote: > >> Lindsay, >> 1) Hinge with tape, definitely. Arrange so walls and roof sections fold >> up. >> 2) Friction will keep the door(s) closed. The main problem is hinging it >> sturdily while keeping it able to fold flat. Also: handles to open and >> close. >> 3) two "windows" filled with furnace filters. >> 4) Two people can erect it in a pinch (but not a wind); three will be >> plenty, especially if you've hinged for unfolding and erection (think about >> it). Erect the walls and the roof separately, then put them together. >> 5) Don't worry about dust sealage at the bottom. Anchor it down properly >> and it's a non-issue. The door is a much bigger challenge. >> 6) You didn't ask, but bevel your edges: 15° between the roof panels, 30° >> between roof and walls and between wall panels. Cover the edges with foil >> tape. >> >> Bonus tip: monofilament (fishing line) under joints that need to be >> separated for teardown will make you weep with joy. >> >> Finally: do a dry run on local asphalt before heading out, including your >> ground tarp, on which you will MARK THE CORNERS WITH A SHARPIE. You can >> thank me later. >> >> Hope this helps. PS Yes it`s a perfect setup. building a yurt is the >> smartest Playa move you've ever made. >> >> Cheers, >> Steve Upstill >> >> From my Android phone on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network. >> >> ----- Reply message ----- >> From: "Colorado_Althea" <[email protected]> >> To: "hexayurt" <[email protected]> >> Subject: [hexayurt] Hinges and windows questions and a possible dust >> solution >> Date: Tue, Jan 10, 2012 6:39 pm >> >> >> Hi everyone!!! >> I am the handy girl in my group so I have decided to tackle to >> hexayurt for our shelter needs. I am thinking for 3 girls this is a >> pretty perfect set up. I do have a few questions though before I get >> started and and maybe one suggestion. So my first question, is it >> better to "hinge" the pieces together with tape or should you use real >> hinges? Second, what is the best way to help the door latch closed? >> Third, windows or NO windows? Finally do you think three girls could >> get this up by themselves? >> I did have one suggestion for a dust barrier when it comes to the >> floors. I made several very long tubes stuffed with beads and cotton >> to act a a draft stop to go all the way around the inside where the >> walls meet the ground. It should work, it keeps the cold air out of my >> house. >> >> Thanks for all of your help in advance!!!! >> >> Lindsay >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "hexayurt" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt?hl=en. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "hexayurt" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt?hl=en. >> > > > > -- > -Alejandro Moreno S. > GreenMBA, Dominican University of California > Cell (415) 578-8731 > LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandromorenos> > > -- -Alejandro Moreno S. GreenMBA, Dominican University of California Cell (415) 578-8731 LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandromorenos> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hexayurt" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt?hl=en.
