 |
David Magarian |
Building with the Desert: Place Conscious Architecture at Burning Man
“Burning Man” has been described as “an experiment in temporary community, dedicated to radical self-expression and self-reliance.” It takes place for a week each year in the extreme heat of the Nevada desert. One of the challenges faced by the 35,000 people who attend is how to design living spaces that conserve limited resources and yet provide adequate shelter. This thesis project examines sustainable designs at the 2006 Burning Man festival, with particular attention given to lightweight structures and cooling strategies. This study illustrates the importance of ventilation, insulation, earth coupling, and shading, as well as the importance of aesthetics and the blending of form and function.