Daniel Gray
New ZealandBiography of Daniel Gray
Daniel Gray, a student engineer from New Zealand, is known for his ability to build complex structures. However, he chose to construct the famous Eskimo dwelling, an igloo, showcasing his skills. Though the process of building an igloo is relatively simple, it requires certain practical skills. It involves acquiring a sufficient number of suitable blocks, often made of dense snow or ice, selecting a specific location, and laying the blocks in a circular pattern with a slight inward slope. An opening for smoke ventilation is left, and a small fire is lit inside to melt the blocks together using a combination of external heat and freezing temperatures. The recipe for building an igloo has been refined over centuries, leaving little room for innovation.
Building an Igloo in Canada
Daniel Gray, the New Zealand student engineer, decided to build an igloo during his visit to Canada to see his girlfriend. The idea was suggested to him by Kathleen Starrie, the mother of his girlfriend, Burton Starrie. Daniel believes that Mrs. Starrie simply wanted to keep him occupied, but she had prepared thoroughly for this plan. While she did not make any modifications to the traditional design of Northern people, she came up with an unexpected idea for creating the building blocks using carefully collected cardboard milk cartons from the previous months. The construction took approximately five days. The process began with making the bricks. Daniel, Kathleen, and Burton did not simply fill the cartons with water; they added food coloring for aesthetic purposes. In total, they used around 500 bricks of various colors and shades. Daniel chose a regular backyard lawn as the construction site. After estimating the necessary dimensions and preparing the first batch of bricks, he began the construction. Despite the relatively cold weather, with temperatures dropping to -25 degrees Celsius, Daniel worked enthusiastically. The freezing temperatures actually facilitated the process, as the bricks could be easily bonded using snow and water alone. While the constructed igloo may not withstand a significant temperature rise, Daniel found immense pleasure in the process of creation and managed to create one of the most unique igloos in the history of world architecture.
