The Mighty Quonset Hut
The Quonset hut was at one time a mainstay of the US military. Its portability and rapid deployment permitted entire nomadic cities to be built in a day.
When a housing crunch hit the US in the late 1940’s, thousands of surplus huts were bought up by adventurous people who turned them into a myriad of unconventional homes, meeting places and restaurants.
While the Quonset has vanished from much of the modern-day landscape, there are still places left where you might find one or two, still being of use.
A recent exhibition held in Anchorage, Alaska accompanied the release of new book that chronicles the mighty Quonset hut, both its past glories and the few remaining instances where they still provide shelter in their practical yet quirky way.
‘Quonset - metal living for a modern age‘ is the name of both the book and the web site, chock full of cool photos from the past and present as well as excerpts from the book. Check it out here.
[via BLDGBLOG]
2 opinions for The Mighty Quonset Hut
Cary
Feb 5, 2006 at 1:50 pm
I’ve gotta’ tell you, Offbeat Homes is easily the coolest idea for a blog that I’ve seen in ages.
I don’t know of a whole lot of offbeat homes, but I read about a hotel in Bisby Arizona where the guest rooms are all old jeststream trailers :)
hehe
Anyways, I’m adding you to my link list, and my subscription list!
Gerald Fitzpatrick
Feb 9, 2006 at 10:22 pm
Hi Offbeat Homes,
Great web site. Will be exploring your homes. I recently bought a vintage Cold War Missile Base and will start renovations this summer, a DIY underground home. Property also has a 40 by 100 feet Quonset Hut that I plan to renovate.
Check out my web site with recent pics of the missile silo.
Cheers, Fitz
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