It’s a ubiquitous architectural form. An architectural typology that spans centuries and borders, a staple across cultures. The tent. In its simplest form – it’s a shelter, with material draped over a frame of poles. It’s an architectural language that is intrinsically linked to nomadic living. Yurts, for instance, functions as an easily portable dwelling for the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples. At the same time, tents have proved a popular stylistic precedent for architects, the lightweight structures of German architect Frei Paul Otto being a case in point. The tent is a complicated architectural language – one that straddles the line between temporary and permanent, and one that also functions as a symbol of wealth and a symbol of scarcity.
The way in which tents act as a luxury symbol is quite interesting. Today, a quick Google search yields an array of “Glamping” options across Europe. These high-end holiday lets are stylish, furnished with luxury amenities, hence the name – a portmanteau of "glamorous" and "camping". Across the UK, yurts and similar types of tents function as an architectural backdrop for a more “grounded” holiday experience, where a happy balance between harmony with nature and access to state-of-the-art facilities can be achieved.
