Versatile and Practical, Yurts are also Environmentally Friendly

by Marlie Parsons

For hundreds of years the nomadic people of Central Asia, from Mongolia to Kazakhstan, have lived in round tents called yurts or gurs. Traditionally covered with either felted wool or canvas, these portable shelters have a lattice framework connected across the top with wooden poles. It is relatively easy to disassemble a yurt, load the components onto a few yaks, camels or horses, and re-locate it in a better grazing area. There is a smoke-hole in the top, as cooking inside is done on a stove that burns wood or dried dung. The local customs in northern Mongolia dictate that it is impolite to knock on the door of a yurt. Instead, a visitor shouts “hold your dogs,” and then waits for the door to be opened. Despite the harsh weather in these remote locations, yurts provide surprisingly comfortable accommodations for families and even occasional visiting guests.

There has recently been a renewed interest in yurts, which began in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and has spread to the east south, midwest and southwest. This trend was motivated by more than a desire to emulate Genghis Khan. Yurts can be built much more quickly and inexpensively than cabins. A yurt can be insulated to keep it warm in the winter, and summer heat can be blown away by rolling up the side panels. The smoke-hole doubles as a skylight that allows you to do stargazing from indoors. This kind of versatility has led to the use of yurts for yoga and meditation workshops, student housing, children’s playspaces, saunas, art studios and even classrooms.

There are now more than a dozen yurt manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada offering distinctive structures that, in most cases, two or three people can assemble in less than a day.
 
Many states, including Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Montana now have yurts available for rent in some of their scenic campgrounds, and numerous bed and breakfasts have also chosen yurts as easy-to-build, comfortable and unique housing units for their guests.
 
In addition to being practical structures, yurts also have a spiritual component. The atmosphere inside has a special peaceful, serene character that many people say aids meditation and spiritual practices. Many spas and retreats have chosen to put up yurts in which to hold yoga, T'ai Chi, Reiki and similar activities. In terms of the environment and sustainability, yurts are favored by ecologists because they are lower-impact alternatives to more conventional building styles.

An apocryphal legend says that yurts are safe places because of their round walls. There are no corners in which evil spirits may hide.

For whatever reason, yurts are becoming increasingly popular throughout North America and Europe as practical, economical, environmentally-friendly and stylistically unique alternatives to traditional structures.

Marlie Parsons is a consultant for the Unique Yurts Information website. Visit www.uniqueyurts.info

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