The Sheldon Chalet has gotten a great deal of publicity since it opened in February 2018. The 5-acre location in the Denali National Forest was purchased by Don and Roberta Sheldon before Alaska became a state. The children and grandchildren of the original owners and their families built and run the chalet. Don Sheldon built a considerably less comfortable "mountain cabin" about 50 yards from the chalet on the same outcropping. It is a short, but potentially very dangerous stroll away.
Of course you are amazed at first, but then the engineering questions start flowing. How did they anchor the chalet to the rock? How did they get the construction materials to the site and then put in place? How do they deal with the extremes of wind and bitter cold. How do they power the chalet, and more importantly, heat the chalet? What about the waste, not to get too specific? In my search and watching at least a dozen YouTube videos, I've only found the answers to a few of these questions.
The design and construction company was BEK of Alaska and it took 3 years to complete. Materials were delivered by plane or helicopter from Talkeetna, then helicopters were used to lower beams and all the materials into place. The windows are actually standard Marvin windows, but their frames have been strengthened. The chalet has been designed to withstand 200 mph winds and keep the occupants warm in -100 degree temperatures. I was not able to find out any specifics of the water and heating system, nor about the waste disposal. I've sent an email to the chalet asking where additional information could be found. I will keep you posted. In the meantime, the mind, especially an engineering mind, boggles at the technology and design considerations that had to be solved. - Dr. Tom
Dr. Tom's Classroom - Achieve the Extraordinary
Save $25 with discount code: achieve25B
Change Is Coming! You Should Take the PE Exam Now.
