The Igloo
A Dome of Many Wonders
Outline
• Igloo basics
• Igloo science
• Construction of an igloo
• An igloo in Hyde Park
What is an igloo?
• Comes from Inuit word for house
• Usually means a dome-shaped dwelling
made of snow
• Not a quinzhee
Igloo Culture
• Igloos were built by Inuit in
the Canadian central arctic
and Greenland’s west
shore
• Used mainly as temporary
shelter on hunting trips
• Larger semi-permanent
igloos were also built that
could house several
families
• Design of igloos varies
between Inuit cultures
Igloo Physics
• A hemisphere is not a good dome shape
• Ideal dome shape is a catenary – Innuit design is very
close to this ideal
• Height/Diameter = 0.3 for minimal stress
• But compression  shrinking so it’s best to make H/D >
0.3
• Theoretical maximum size of igloo is:
D = 34 ft., H = 12 ft.
Igloo Physics
• A hemisphere is not a good dome shape
• Ideal dome shape is a catenary – Innuit design is very
close to this ideal
• Height/Diameter = 0.3 for minimal stress at base
• But compression  shrinking so it’s best to make H/D >
0.3
• Theoretical maximum size of igloo is:
D = 34 ft., H = 12 ft.
More Igloo Physics
• Rate of heat flow through igloo given by
Q kA (Ti  To )

t
L
where Q/t = heat flow per unit time, k = thermal
conductivity, A = area of interior/exterior of igloo, Ti =
interior temperature, To = exterior temperature, L =
thickness of igloo
• Can calculate Q/t in the interior making simple
assumptions about people
• Using reasonable values, temperature difference
between inside and outside can be about 60 C
Construction of an Igloo
• Snow must be packed
• Cut wedge shaped snow blocks using snow saw
• Lay blocks in helical pattern, cutting block
thinner as you go up
• Dig a trough leading into igloo and cover with
snow blocks
• Terrace interior to so that inhabitants are
elevated
• Cut ventilation holes
Block laying pattern
Construction of an Igloo
• Snow must be packed
• Cut wedge shaped snow blocks using snow saw
• Lay blocks in helical pattern, cutting block
thinner as you go up
• Dig a trough leading into igloo and cover with
snow blocks
• Terrace interior to so that inhabitants are
elevated
• Cut ventilation holes
Igloo Side View
Igloos of the Future
Building an Igloo in Hyde Park
• Problem: snow is not well packed
– Solution: pack it into buckets
• Problem: snow is cold and not fun to
touch
– Solution: buy a shovel
• Problem: people throwing shit at your igloo
– Solution: none
The location: 60th and Drexel
Nick
Igloo
STAGE 1:
COMPLETE
The Finished Igloo!