In Buryat Mongolian "ger" simply
means "home." In Russian it is known as
a yurta, hence it is more commonly known in English
as a "yurt." The ger is not only the traditional
dwelling of the Buryats, but of all Mongolian peoples
as well as of the Kazakh, Kirghiz, Tuvans, Tatars,
Yakuts, and other Central Asian and Siberian peoples.
The most commonly known kind of ger is the nomads'
ger, which is used by almost all Central Asian nomads,
including Mongols and some of the Buryats.
The Yurt dates back to the time of
Genghis Khan in the 13th century. Yurts have been
used by generations of nomadic horse herders in
Mongolia as portable homes which can be set up anywhere.
At the most basic level, one might
say a yurt is a glorified tent - but a yurt is really
much more. The Mongols live in them year round and
tend to prefer them to other forms of housing. See
history.
The original designs of these structures
involved five basic elements: lattice walls, roof
beams, a roof ring, a door, and a felt or hide covering.
When put together, it created a simple round wooden
latticework frame with a combination of felt and
sheep skin covering the outside depending on the
season.
A
custom built 54ft diameter yurt |
A
modern Mongolian yurt |
The
dinner yurt at Canyons Ski Resort, Utah -
elevation 8,000 ft.
|
Kyrgyz
yurts - steeper roofs and smaller circumference.
|
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Modern
Yurts use the Mongolian concept,
but with the conveniences and technology of
the 21st century, including insulation and cover
fabrics developed by NASA. Yurts are bought
in pre-made kits that can be assembled in a
day or two, depending on the size. A yurt is
one of the most versatile dwellings available:
Portable –
you can assemble
and disassemble a yurt in a few hours. We
provide step-by-step installation instructions
so you can setup your yurt. A yurt can
be transported in a pickup truck, utility
trailer or boat. If you need to move
your yurt on your property, with the
help of a few friends it can be moved
fairly easily.
Secure -
all our yurts come equipped with lockable,
steel doors and solid wood door frames.
Comfortable in
all seasons - the yurt has proven
itself in all kinds of weather. Cozy and
warm in the winter, with insulated
walls and roof, and a circular
shape that makes it efficient to heat.
Cool in the summer, with windows, dome
and door openings to provide cross ventilation.
Eco-friendly -
All our rafters are milled from ecologically
harvested timber, selected especially for
YurtZ by Design. Yurts are environmentally unobtrusive
buildings and cause no permanent damage to
the land on which they are built.
Inside
a yurt restaurant |
Durable -
Our yurts are built to last for a very long time.
They are tested for structural strength and all-weather
durability and will last for many years without
any problems. Also, they are easy to maintain. See
testimonials.
Customizable - YurtZ by Design
offers a selection of options that allow you to
personalize your yurt to your own specific needs. Some
of the available options include:
Fun and natural –
Living in a yurt for short or long time is an adventure.
Yurting gives you the opportunity to live close
to nature and keep life fun and simple.
Spiritual –
Yurts are used as places for yoga and meditation
because of their comforting surroundings. With no
corners it is said there is no place for evil spirits.
The atmosphere inside the yurt is one of warmth
and security.
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YurtZ by Design
yurts in a Provincial Campground
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