On the grassland steppes of central Asia, yurts or “gers” have been the primary shelter for nomadic herdsman for centuries. These circular wooden dwellings were traditionally covered with felted wool and skins. As the nomads lives revolved around the rhythms of nature, the yurt’s design was portable and able to withstand high winds and extreme temperatures. Even today, many pastoral families in Mongolia still prefer life in a yurt. There is a spirituality associated with living in a yurt; in its structure the whole universe is represented: The roof represents the sky and the smoke hole the sun. The hearth contains the five basic earthly elements of soil, wood, fire, metal, and water (metal in the grate and water in the kettle) and because there are no corners it is thought there is no place for evil spirits.

Today’s Yurt

The modern yurt has been adopted by western culture and enhanced to a state of –the-art version. This new age yurt consists of a durable fabric cover with high-tech insulation covering a wood frame that includes a lattice wall and radial rafters. The compression ring at the upper most point radiates lodge pole pine rafters and is topped with a 5-foot diameter clear dome that allows in ample sunlight and is excellent for stargazing. An eco-friendly structure that provides comfort and durability while having a light footprint. The compact shape of the yurt and lightweight tensile structure means that the dwelling is highly efficient in maximizing strength while minimizing use of materials.