Housing from the past: Quonset Huts

The Nissen or Quonset hut was invented during WWI, and used in massive quantity during WWII. I love that the huts destined for the Pacific Theater were made entirely of spruce, since steel rusted out too quickly in the tropical environment.

There's a big Quonset hut behind our sewing contractor's factory in Springfield, Oregon. It's currently in use as a machine shop, but I'm constantly threatening to move in. Something pretty attractive about how simple they are. There are also several on the University of Oregon campus that I used to peer into -I'm sure they'll be torn down soon. All good things....

Suggested Mobile Housing

Lloyd Kahn is one of my heroes. His book Shelter has been a guide and comfort through many, many years of dreaming of building my own home somewhere.

His blog is highly recommended for lots of pictures and great writing about structures and the people who build them. And he's still skating at 70+! This short documentary has some footage of Lloyd's amazing home.

Check out this gorgeous converted school bus that he recently featured; maybe it's just because I'm from a world vortex of converted school busses, but it got me thinking about long road trips, woodstove cooking, and making do with a little less.

Archival Shelter: Wall Tents

by Tom Bonamici


As mentioned in a prior post, Archival Clothing friend (and first-generation AC Rucksack owner) Will D. lived in a wall tent for a year. After he visited me in Brooklyn, we've been chatting about traditional bedrolls and other projects to kit him out for his upcoming Trackers NW courses.


Though I doubt I'd be able to install a wall tent anywhere in Brooklyn (unless someone has a secure backyard to offer...), that hasn't stopped me from doing some hypothetical shopping. I've been impressed by the Davis Tent and Awning products - I've got to support anyone posting a strength test of their fabric using a leather worker's clamping horse and a fish scale.

Shots from the Davis Tent Photo Gallery:







Do Not Miss this video showing the seventeen-foot long Cowboy Bedroll.