Following are my ideas for a unique shelter design project which I have named the Kurma SHELL-ter. Drawing inspiration from ancient yogic wisdom and the symbolism of the turtle, the Kurma SHELL-ter is a serene and protected sanctuary for meditation, relaxation, and personal growth. Named after the Sanskrit word for “turtle” and drawing upon the symbolism of this timeless creature, the Kurma SHELL-ter offers a unique fusion of spirituality, sustainability, and modern design providing an ideal environment for those seeking alternative living spaces and wellness-centered solutions.
My exploration of design elements has touched on various aspects of this shelter design project, from the creative and functional elements to the practical considerations of safety and user needs.
As the design progresses in more detail, I will be defining the specific requirements for the shelter design and ensuring that it aligns with an enlightened vision and meets the needs of its intended users.
Conceptual Design
- An Innovative Idea, for a rapidly deployable shelter that is lightweight, durable, and easy to transport, with a unique design inspired by a turtle’s shell and based on nature’s beautiful proportions (phi ratios, the golden mean).
- Geodesic Structure of Redundant Components, Individually known as “Scutes,” insuring a highly efficient use of materials resulting in a structure that has a superior strength to weight ratio, protecting the maximum volume with a minimum surface area, low energy use, portability, manufacturability, transportability and ease of installation, and aesthetically beautiful by virtue of a harmonious design with nature.
- A Prototype Comprised of 28 Individual Component “Scutes,” cach Kurma SHELL-ter scute has a resilient silicone impregnated fabric covering. The highly durable and flexible covering is stretched over a hardwood frame. The fabric for the prototype is bright white 10oz cotton duck. The frame for the prototype is 1″x3″ nominal poplar lumber. The prototype will feature a colorful, hand-painted design using Tempera paints creating a beautiful lighting effect.
- A Flexible and Scale-able System, with the dimensions of the footprint in the current model shown as a square with sides of twelve (12) feet. The model can easily be scaled up or down. The multi-faceted shell is made of 28 identical “scutes” bolted together to form an integrated geodesic structure. The number of scutes bolted together may vary, forming various types of shelters, awnings, gazebos, etc.
- The Importance of Prioritizing Safety, both in terms of the materials used in the prototype and in the final shelter design, emphasizing structural strength, endurance, and sustainability.
- The Need to Create a Clear and Concise Documentation, guiding the project’s development every step of the way.
- A Six-Step Design Process, including reviewing project objectives, identifying target users and their needs, considering competitors and differentiators, defining functional and non-functional requirements, refining and prioritizing requirements, and developing well-structured documentation.
Modeling
I created the Kurma SHELL-ter model in Autodesk® Fusion® 360 computer aided design (CAD) software. The preliminary model shown below is scaled for a 12′ square base footprint and 6′ tall walls. The walls shown are just one example of the many possibilities.
The Kurma SHELL-ter is composed of a multitude of individual “scutes” which have identical geometries and dimensions. The scute is an innovative design element based on the scute of a turtle shell.
The curved skin of the model is shown in the images below as green glass to make it easy to view the geometry. The skin of the prototype will be stretched cotton duck canvas impregnated with silicone. The canvas will be painted with Tempera paints to create something truly amazing!
Scute: Individual Shell Component
The multi-faceted shell shown below is composed of 28 identical “scutes”. Each scute is basically a structural frame covered with a stretched, curved skin.
A scute is a thickened horny or bony plate on a turtle’s shell or on the back of a crocodile, ankylosaurus, etc.
Karmatetra 