Building a PVC Monkey Hut Shelter for Burning Man
Traveling to an art festival in the middle of the desert is an adventure—but leading a camp of ten people at Burning Man takes that challenge to another level. When Celeste (a.k.a. “Danger Is My Middle Name”) co-directed her camp for the first time, she knew that providing strong, easy-to-assemble shade structures was critical. Her solution? A clever and durable Monkey Hut built with FORMUFIT Furniture Grade PVC fittings.
Night on the Playa
Celeste needed a design that could handle the harsh Black Rock Desert environment—high winds, extreme heat, and rapid setup. The structure had to be assembled by two people, stand firm in desert winds, and provide shade for her entire camp. Using 1-1/2" PVC Tees, 1-1/2" PVC Crosses, and 1-1/4" Furniture Grade PVC pipe, she built a lightweight, modular framework that was both flexible and strong.
How the PVC Monkey Hut Was Built
Inspired by a concept originally created by “Mr. Lovemonkey,” Celeste constructed her PVC Monkey Hut using simple, field-ready methods. Instead of glue or screws, she widened the fittings slightly and used duct tape to create a friction-fit system—tight enough to hold under tension, yet easy to disassemble. This approach kept setup quick and ensured every piece could be reused year after year.
The modular design allowed the camp to adjust the hut’s length as needed. Ultimately, they built two 20-foot-long shelters—one as a communal kitchen and lounge area, and the other to shade campers’ tents. Despite ten days of relentless desert winds, both structures stayed upright and sturdy throughout the event.
Plans and Instructions
Celeste generously shared her full Monkey Hut build guide on Instructables, including measurements, materials, and setup steps. While more permanent connections could make the frame even stronger, the Burning Man ethos of “leave no trace” favors designs that are easy to assemble, dismantle, and pack out cleanly.
In the end, Celeste’s PVC Monkey Hut proved to be the perfect combination of simplicity, durability, and portability. It offered reliable shade, withstood harsh desert winds, and became a centerpiece of the camp—showing once again that FORMUFIT PVC pipe and fittings can transform ambitious ideas into functional, real-world structures.
