igloo '19

Building a lifesize Cardboard Igloo

the igloo

Visual Design · Art · Physical Design · Prototyping

Project overview

This was my personal side project after moving into an NYU apartment dorm. Surprised by how much space I had and how much cardboard waste there was during move in, I decided that I wanted to make something. I asked around the dorm for large pieces of cardboard, and after receiving a refrigerator-sized box, I knew I had to make a cardboard igloo out of my donations.

Materials

· Cardboard
· Lights
· Packaging Tape (Most Cost Effective)
· Spray Paint (I only used one can before I realized this was a terrible idea indoors.)

IDeation and planning

I had to make sure that the pieces of cardboard that I got were big enough to be made into panels. I did some research online before going about calculating the dimensions. The image on the left shows the different considerations that went into planning.

After extensive thought, I decided on two different panel sizes: AAB and BB. A and B are 16.4 inches and 18.54 inches respectively.

Building the igloo

I thought it would be fun if I just made the igloo and didn't tell my other 3 roommates what the end product was supposed to be. They had been my roommates for a year already at this point, so they were pretty used to my shenanigans. The images they took below helped document the process, as well as give a little insight into their thoughts.

finishing TOuches

The images below are some of the final steps I took before finishing the project. The final igloo is shown on the far right image. I lined the outside with some white duct tape over the packing tape. Then, I poked holes at the top to stick the string lights in. The lights had different settings so it would be able to mimic the stars.

Fun fact: the igloo can fit up to 7 people.

the igloo

Just a fun side project

This project was just a little fun project I decided I wanted to do. After moving into our sophomore year dorm, I realized the sheer amount of cardboard that gets thrown away during the moving process. So, I went around asking my friends for their extra cardboard so I could construct an igloo.

I never told any of my roommates what I was building until after everything was done. That igloo managed to fit up to 7 people. I decked it out with lights on top and it became our cool little spot. Here are some photos of the construction.