Discussion Questions: Center for Sustainability at Penn State University: Energy System
- The yurt at the Hybrid Homestead is a modern adaptation of a design borrowed from Central Asian nomadic peoples. For these people, a yurt is a collapsible circular tent of skins stretched over a pole frame (Source: Encarta World English dictionary). Trace the origin of buildings with unusual designs in your own community. For example, what buildings have domes or boxes or elaborate gingerbread? Are these designs just decorative or do they have a function?
- Brainstorm how living off the grid might affect your lifestyle.
- A green roof is the roof of a building partially or completely covered with vegetation over a waterproof membrane (Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_roof). What would you plant on a green roof, and why?
