A typical structure primarily used for shelter during mealtimes. It is made of steel ribbing, assembled on site, with a polyurethane skin pulled over the frame and secured to it. On average this kind of shelter is 40’ long, 16’ wide, 8’ high and weighs about 200 lbs.Three people can construct one in about 2 hours. Smaller shelters are even more compact: the prospector tent, typically, is an elongated triangular form consisting of the polyurethane skin compactable to the size of a rolled sleeping bag. Structural elements are wooden poles, found on site, in three horizontal spans secured to an A-frame at either end; the tent is then hung from this support structure.
Coastal BC and Vancouver Island, north- ern Alberta, northern Ontario, Quebec,
Bush Camp Byron White
north of Thomson Manitoba. Never north of the tree line.
a modern tree-planting bush camp is a fascinating example of a micro-city that provides basic living (shelter and food) for more than 100 people for extended periods, in a close knit social environ- ment. What makes these micro-urban systems equally interesting is their transportability; their ability to be disassembled, moved, and recon- structed within a minimal amount of time is essential in completing con- tracts that might cover 1000 km requiring multiple moves. Optimal site conditions require at least a hectare of level dry ground with a water source not further than 50 meters from the site. Logistics require close proximity to the work site. This might mean a campsite located hun- dreds of kilometers from the nearest road, where camp infrastructure, including all personnel, must be flown in by helicopter.Whether access is by helicopter or truck every piece of equipment that is brought in is chosen for its ability to be deconstructed and rebuilt quickly without complicated joinery. Four people can assemble the basic structure of a camp in one day, complete with potable water, electricity, shelter, and food preparation facilities. The camp uses gas generators to power food storage, basic electrical appliances and lighting; propane provides power for stoves and heating systems. With the exception of fuel and food bought in town, the camp is com- pletely self-sufficient. It is constructed and equipped to store enough food and fuel for a seven-day period. In addition to basic living necessi- ties of the administrative staff and workers, the camp has facilities for a certain level of comfort and recreation. Having a sheltered area to play cards, a stereo to listen to music and a tent to warm up or dry out wet clothes may not seem like necessities but are essential in maintaining camp moral and therefore contribute to worker productivity. These iso- lated living conditions are an example of how to live and operate with only the bare essentials of necessity and comfort.
The portable latrines.These structures are much simpler in design with a plastic floor and ceiling held up by four 8’ long PVC pipes. Broken down these parts are stackable for easy transport. Food preparation is done either in a cook unit trailer when access to camp is by road, or by converted shelter tents with portable stoves where helicopters are used.
Byron White is a 4th year student at the University of Toronto, Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, who has worked at bush camps for the past seven years in North- ern Ontario and Manitoba. He currently supervises one of these camps in Northern Ontario.
All members of the camp participate in minimizing personal equipment for ease of transport, keeping their personal gear confined to a single large pack holding their tents, clothes and sleeping bags — everything they need for four months in the bush.
On Site review 11
31
Spring 2004
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator