• Tent overhead view
• Tent side view
• Wire rigging diagram
• Roof panel design
• Roof panel fabric layout
• Octagonal tea bar design
• Photos of work in progress

The Tea Temple's structure is simple yet strong. 1-3/4" steel poles will be partially burried in the playa and tensioned into a rigid structure using 3/16" steel cables. Custom sewn roof panels made from water and fire-proof fabric will be stitched to the structure itself to provide shelter from sun and rain, and canvas walls can be lowered and anchored to provide shelter from wind and dust.

The 4 corners of the tent will each be secured with 2 burried duckbill earth anchors capable of supporting 1200 lbs of stabilizing force each. Over each anchor point will hang a large prayer bell corresponding to each compass point. These bells are cut from large discarded oxygen tanks (the same bells from the Elemental Shrine in 2003), and ring with deep, beautiful tones when struck.

A 60" wide 3-dimensional, 2-sided sculpt of the 'Nunquam Dormio' logo will sit atop the tent about 16' above the ground. It will be internally lit and also detailed with EL wire, and powered by batteries inside the tent. It will be mounted on a bearing and will revolve with the wind.

The Temple will be lit inside with a gas lantern and candles; the lantern will have custom rice-paper screens,and will be hung above the tea makers in a very secure, fire-safe manner. It will hang directly from a steel pole with no flammable fabric anywhere near or above it. Candles will be on the tea bar and altar tables, and supervised by a tea maker at all times. Alternative non-burning light sources are available should the candles or lantern be of sufficient concern.

We've been able to salvage or re-purpose about half of the materials used in the tent from scrap or discarded wood and steel. The rest of the materials were purchased new. The Tea Temple will be built to last many years of use on the playa, perhaps playing changing roles in the future.

Our last structure (the Elemental Shrine, 2003) was placed on the 4:00 o'clock radial halfway between the Man and the Esplanade. Our camp has been situated on this same radial for many year, and we would love to have the same placement for the Tea Temple. We plan to arrive with a small crew the Tuesday before the event to have a full 5 days of uninterrupted building time before the crowds start arriving. The custom welding and tent pieces are being fabricated now, and the cable work will be done on the playa.

We do not plan to burn any part of this structure, and will leave the playa in pristine condition when we go. We would need 12 holes dug in the playa, 3' deep each. We will move excess dirt temporarily to our camp, and refill the holes when we're done. There will be no trace.