Arctic Circle - Igloo (Iglu)

The word Igloo originally, among Inuit, described any permanent structure or any winter house. In the eastern and western most parts of the continent, where the climate is tempered by the ocean, Igloos were only temporary structures. Between Labrador and the Mackenzie delta, the Igloo was occupied all winter long and took on a more complex construction and plan. The form of an Igloo has inherent qualities that allow the structure to remain secure from collapse or bulging. The ratio of the height to width of the structure is the key ingredient to the success of the engineering. The quality of the building material, (i.e. the snow) was also important to the success of the structure. If the snow's consistency was too soft, the block would fall apart. If it was too crystalline, due to relation to salt water, the block would crumble. The igloo can be constructed easily by two men but was often built by the entire family. There was no organized social structure to the layout of a compound of igloos; rather they were arranged for optimum climate control. Eastern or southern orientation of the individual houses kept snow from covering the ice window or the ventilation hole. The typical size of an igloo was between 6' and 15' in diameter. The permanent Igloos on the interior of the continent formed complexes with connecting passage ways, cold traps, and communal dancing chambers. The main chamber was completed first, working the snow blocks up in a spiral pattern allowing each block to be cut and formed in place. The entry passage was then built, angling down then up creating a wind block for the main space. Fresh water ice was often transported from another camp to form a transparent window for light and was often paired with a reflecting snow block set at a right angle to the window to increase the interior illumination. Due to the translucent nature of snow and ice, the interior of an igloo has been described as a fantastic modulation of light converted into verdigris of green and blue.