Overview | Kroka Expeditions

In a wilderness setting, one always needs to be ready to adapt to the present moment. Kroka values the importance of a developed sense of intuition in combination with leadership skills. The four core principles of intuitive leadership are:

• Observing the world around us
• Working with the elemental forces
• Practicing skills for self-reliance
• Acknowledging the unseen world

Kroka's curriculum is centered around simplicity, authenticity, gratitude, and cooperation. As much as possible we source our food and gear locally, we engage with communities that we travel through, we value adaptation and mindful decision-making, and we encourage appropriate risk-taking.

-Kroka's Website

Overview | Vision

• Must fit the Kroka campus aesthetically
• Not allowed to use any electronics
• Must use Kroka materials
• Principles of Inefficient Design

Goals

• Communicate meaningfully with a client
• Create a lasting physical impact on a community
• Design something without electronics that can be built by hand

Design Constraints

Project Timeline

Visit #1

Initial Proposals

Project Pitch

Visit #2

Secondary Iterations

Zoom w/Client

Visit #3 (Overnight)

Final Presentation

Raising Boats

Efficient Cooking

Wood Drying

Visit #1 | Proposed Issues

Issue

Design Constraints

• Able to be operated by a single person
• Must include a locking mechanism
• $250 Budget

Boats at Kroka are stored in the boathouse. To pull boats up, two people at each end of the boat are needed and there is no locking mechanism.

Issue

Design Constraints

• Aesthetically beautiful
• Can hold three pots
• Durable
• Above Knee height

Most meals at Kroka camps require three pots, and currently, they don't have a stove that can do that while surviving the weather conditions at Kroka.

Issue

Design Constraints

• Fits with the Kroka campus
• Can be long term
• Doesn't have to be implemented immediately

Kroka goes through about 30 chords of wood a year and it is stored in large cylinders that are exposed to the elements. Floods and winters can often wipe out a lot of wood.

Visit #1 | Issue Analysis



Proposal #1 | Pulley System

System 1 - 7:1 w/Winch - 28:1

System 2 - 2:1 w/Winch - 8:1

System 3 - 4:1 w/Winch - 16:1

Mechanical Advantage

Proposal #2 | Rocket Stove

Proposal #3 | Kiln Research

• Current moisture content of wood pre-drying = aprox. 35%
• Moisture content post dry = aprox. 15%
• Estimated content post kiln dry = 8-10%
• Wood circles: 330 ft^3 = aprox. 2.5 cords of wood.
• Farmhouse winter storage = 920 ft^3 = aprox. 7.2 cords of wood
• Summer camp storage = 950 ft^3 = aprox. 7.4 cords of wood
• It takes 6-12 months to dry black cherry wood to a moisture content of 15%.

• With a solar kiln, it would take 4-6 weeks. That's a 1200% increase in time efficiency.
• Solar kilns reduce moisture content to 8-10%, an increase of 30% efficiency in moisture content.
• Solar kiln dried wood is 10-25% more carbon efficient compared to traditionally dried wood.

Underlying Research

Major Takeaways

Blueprints for Solar Kiln

Post-Proposal Changes

Raising Boats

Efficient Cooking

Wood Drying

Result

Next Steps

• Prepare to install pulley system
• Create risk assessment framework

Kroka is satisfied with the proposed pulley system, and is excited to see the effectiveness of the implemented system.

Result

Next Steps

• Continue to research & brainstorm stove ideas
• Prepare for site analysis

Kroka is on board with the creation of a rocket stove on it's campus. During our second visit, they will show us two potential sites and the available materials.

Result

Next Steps

• Because creating a solar kiln is no longer possible, it is no longer a critical priority
• Continue background research

Kroka is open to building a solar kiln in the future, but is unable to physically commit to such a large-scale project presently.

Visit #2 | Overview

Overview

After our first visit, we had finished a pulley system plan, and started brainstorming for a final rocket stove prototype. In order to progress our rocket stove prototype, we needed to find and assess available materials as well as potential sites.

Objectives

• Install pulley system prototype
• Assess potential sites for rocket stove
• Assess available materials for rocket stove

Visit #2 | Pulley Implementation

Visit #2 | Stove Site Analysis

Site 1 - Pizza Oven Location

Site 2 - Staff Village

Pros -

• Easy access for summer camp
• Close to other major stovetop

Cons -

• Harder for year-round staff to access
• Close to other major stovetop

Pros -

• Easy access for year-round staff
• Contributes to current Kroka project-staff kitchen

Cons -

• Harder for summer camp staff to access
• Sloped building surface

Visit #2 | Material Analysis

Available Materials

Material Constraints

• Bricks are not uniform size
• Slight damage to cinderblocks, bricks
• Limited number of flagstones, not enough to build a base

• Cinderblocks
• Gravel/dirt
• Bricks (some believed to be fire-resistant)
• Flagstones / masonry stones
• Ceramic Tiles

Visit #3 | Overnight Stay

Overview

Having finished our first pulley prototype, we were eager to improve and finalize it. In addition, the schematics for the rocket stove were complete. Our third visit was planned over two days, where we would help with farm chores alongside our project work.

Objectives

• Install pulley system prototype
• Assist Kroka with chores and daily tasks over the span of multiple days

Visit #3 | Life At Kroka

Visit #3 | Life At Kroka

Visit #3 | Fixing Pulleys

Visit #3 | Stove Construction

Conclusion & Analysis

Raising Boats

Efficient Cooking

Wood Drying

Result

Next Steps

• Continue to increase gear ratio
• Add progress-capture device

The pulley system and wench were installed successfully. Currently, the gear ratio is 8:1, allowing one person to raise the boat. The current prototype is missing a progress capture device.

Result

Next Steps

• Research & order proper materials

Due to the lack of heat-resistant material we were unable to create a permanent structure. Created working prototype with the available materials.

Result

Next Steps

• Continue to research solar kiln designs
• Create final design scale

Kroka is open to building a solar kiln in the future, but is unable to commit to such a large-scale project presently.

Final Reflections

Reflections

Skills Built

• Client Interaction
• Project Framing & Scope
• Project Management
• Time Management
• Risk Management
• Scheduling & Efficient Workflow
• Final, Physical Deleverables!

• Permanent construction takes a long time!
• Mortar is difficult to use without proper equipment
• Long distance workflow is a challenge