“It is possible to meet our shelter needs without draining natural and personal resources. Yurts can help you re-envision your understanding of home from that of a market commodity to a concept of sacred space in which you can nourish your soul and find your place in the world. Whether or not you actually move into a round space, the concept and philosophy of living in the round will enrich your understanding of shelter and all its possibilities.” This is how Becky Kemery introduces her book, Yurts: Living in the Round.

With roots as ancient as the rituals of Mongolian nomadic tribes that have used them for centuries, yurts have found their way across time and space and can now be found all over the world. Classified as a type of tent, the yurt is a round structure that is much stronger and more weather-tight than a tent.

Yurt manufacturers produce a surprising variety of yurts for assembly on the site of your choosing. Some people use yurts as temporary lodging while waiting for permanent homes to be built, while others like the economy of a yurt as a permanent housing option in order to invest most of their housing budget on the land itself. Many manufacturers of modern yurts offer basic packages and also plenty of information about equipping yurts with plumbing, electricity, heating and air conditioning, fireplaces, and more. These functional additions are becoming more common as yurts are growing in popularity as permanent structures used as homes, guest houses, yoga and meditation retreats, and vacation getaways.

Blue Ridge Yurts owners say, “To live in a yurt is to reconnect with our natural origins, and rekindle our potential for living simply. The smooth round walls and soft light create an easy elegance. The tall ceilings and artfully exposed rafters provide a unique airy living space with unlimited possibilities. The low-impact design and construction makes it possible to go from conception to completion in a very short time span. Moreover, this uniquely efficient structural alternative, which can be designed with all of the modern amenities, can be acquired at a fraction of the cost, both to your purse and the Earth, of a traditional home.” Kathy Anderson and Sharon Morley head this women-owned company and both live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Pacific Yurts’ website illustrates the advantages of the yurt’s structure and shape. Some of the illustrations show:

• “An aerodynamic shape: The yurt’s aerodynamic shape allows the wind to easily flow around it rather than pushing against flat walls.
• “Roof Load: Roof loads are transferred down the rafters to the tension cable.”
• “The yurt’s natural strength: Rafters push inward on compression ring and outward on tension cable, which acts in a similar way to a hoop on a barrel preventing the rafters from moving/spreading outward.

Nalina Uehlein, owner of Spirit Mountain Yurts, describes Spirit Mountain Yurts’ design by saying, “The structure can collapse small enough to fit on one draft animal (or in a pick up truck) and can be set up again in a short amount of time. Lattice walls are formed by crossed wood pieces, much like a baby gate. In the yurts that we make, these wood pieces are joined together with nuts and ornamental bolts at the crossings. The lattice wall can be collapsed to take up very little room for transporting.”

If you want to explore the possibilities of yurt living, a fun and easy way to do this is to spend a while staying in a yurt that’s available for vacation lodging. Check out EcoBusiness Links’ Environmental Directory for a huge range of options. You’ll find tempting yurt destinations all across the US, throughout Europe, and in Australia.