Customer Reviews

Yurts: Living in the Round

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Ever since I first heard that Becky Kemery was writing a book about Yurts I have been looking forward to having it in my hands. The wait has definitely been worth it, now that I can see how fully realized her idea has become. Yurts: Living in the Round was published in 2006 by Gibbs Smith, and is the definitive source of information about anything to do with yurts. Not only that, it is also a fine piece of art in its own right; nearly every page is graced with carefully laid out color photos and drawings. Becky's writing is both clear and well researched.

Becky writes, "Most yurts are portable, tent-like structures. They have circular lattice walls (reminiscent of baby gates tied together) and a cone-shaped roof supported by rafters that meet in a center ring. The outer fabric shell of the yurt can be made of felted wool, coated canvas, or a modern architectural fabric. An ever-increasing number of wooden structures are also called yurts. What defines them as yurts and not just round houses? The Answer lies in the yurt's uncommon roof structure."

"The yurt roof incorporates a unique architectural design. Roof struts meet in a center ring, producing inward and downward pressure. This center ring holds the rafters an a state of compression. Where the struts meet the wall at the perimeter, a natural outward thrust occurs. A band (of rope, woven cloth, or wire cable) a the top of the wall holds the wall and roof poles in tension against this outward pressure. Because of this...long roof spans are possible without any internal support system (like posts, trusses, or beams). This gives the yurt an uncommon feeling of spaciousness and uplift. the roof design also creates an incredibly strong and resilient structure that is uniquely equipped to withstand earthquakes, strong winds, and heavy snow loads."

The historical evolution of the modern yurt from its origins with the nomadic Central Asian tribes is carefully outlined. Both the Mongolian Ger and the Turkic Uy are the forerunners of what we now call the yurt. How these tribal folks traditionally make and decorate their portable homes is both fascinating and colorful. This process is generally a group effort and often involves painstakingly felting the wool to make the covering. The traditional pattern of living within this circular space is surprisingly similar to Native American traditional use of space within a hogan, with various family members and guests having their appropriate places.

One of the early modern adaptations of the traditional yurt design was Bill Copperwaite's "tapered wall yurt." These are wooden structures that incorporate the same roof design, but modify the vertical walls to incline outward, giving them a distinctly oriental flare. Bill has been exploring these interesting shapes since the early 1960's, and has come up with quite a variety of forms, including some with concentric tiers of yurts within yurts. Some of them have scalloped butterfly-like roofs; others have gothic arches that surround the perimeter.

The modern fabric yurt is more like its nomadic predecessor, in most ways, except that modern canvas or synthetic fabric replaces the felted wool. Becky chronicles how various people have adapted the original designs to suit modern needs in a variety of climates. Many of the new yurts have central plastic dome skylights and windows that let in lots of light, making them much more open and airy than the darker, womb-like nomadic yurts.

Many of the folks who have experimented with building their own yurts have gone on to make a business of supplying yurt kits for the general public. Becky suggests how to locate and evaluate these yurt companies, and describes various ways that yurts can be adapted for personal needs, such having a bathroom, porch, heater, etc. She even addresses the issues of financing and insuring yurts, and dealing with building code officials.

Another modern adaptation to the traditional yurt is called the "frame panel" yurt. These are much more permanent dwellings than their fabric cousins, and can appear as very solid indeed. They are often prefabricated off-site and shipped to the site for erection. Becky interviewed various people who have lived in these unique homes and shares many insights that could help others who do the same.

The chapter titled "Living in the Round" philosophically evaluates the merits of doing this. Becky writes, "The flexible open space of a yurt is an interior design canvas waiting for the creative expression of each yurt inhabitant. What remains constant is the welcoming embrace of the space, the interaction between inner and outer worlds, and the roof structure that lifts our vision skyward. The yurt also has an inherent ability to bring people together into a circle, which naturally engenders connection and cooperation."

The final portion of the book has several appendices that explore building codes, platform construction, and wood stove installation. There is also an extensive resource guide here for yurt companies, yurt plans, and other media. Becky's website about yurts, [...], is another resource providing additional information.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in simple, sustainable living, enduring vernacular architecture, or the possibilities inherent in living in the round.

"The healing, creative, communal, and spiritual nature of yurts is broadly recognized. Yurts seem especially suited to certain pursuits." ~ pg. 13

Why do people dream more when they live in a yurt? Why is the oldest form of indigenous shelter still being built today? Have you always dreamed about living in a round house because it makes you feel more peaceful? Walk into any room that has a circular design and notice how you react.

"Yurts: Living in the Round" takes this research many steps further to the point of answering these questions:

Which yurt would be best for your lifestyle?
Where to find a yurt builder or should you do it yourself?
How should you determine which floor plan to use?

Case studies and personal stories of yurt dwellers are explored and pictures throughout paint a picture of a peaceful lifestyle lived in natural settings. Some of the pictures show doors of a Mongolian ger, painted in bright colors. There are treehouse yurts, wooden yurts, fabric yurts, camping yurts and communal yurts. One snow covered yurt looks like an igloo. A gorgeous picture of a yurt with light glowing from the center is shown against a luminous emerald background of northern lights.

I've always been fascinated by the idea of living in a building shaped like a tower, but maybe what I truly love is just a round building with the feeling of open space and lots of windows. Many of the yurts featured in this book have been adapted into modern designs and one in particular shows how you can adapt a yurt to a variety of living spaces. Furnishings, hanging fabrics and screens create private spaces that look very romantic. I love the idea of the freedom of living in one big space because walls between the rooms often feel restrictive.

If you love rooms where the kitchen flows to the living room with high ceilings, yurts may truly appeal to you. A garden yurt also sounds appealing as a writing escape or artist studio. This book takes you from the history of yurts all the way to very modern applications for the yurt design.

The author lives in a yurt in Idaho, surrounded by herb and vegetable gardens. Through the years she has lived in four different yurts in three states and now offers her advice and wisdom to anyone who wants to experience this lifestyle.

~The Rebecca Review

The author has lived in various yurts in enough states to have some wisdom to share since climates can change and a yurt in the dessert is different than one high in the Sierras or Rockies where the temperatures can get well below freezing. She writes of the history of yurt dwellers and how modern fabrics here in the states make yurts weather proof in most areas and livable homes year round.

As a member of the Small House Society I am looking for a variety of small house choices and yurts and boats are at the top of my dream list.

Her examples also show the modern yurt like the ones here in the Sierras that all have windows, skylights, doors and most amenities one can find in a small modern home. Read other 5 star reviews who tell you even more. Excellent book.

"Yurts: Living in the Round" is put together very well. It is clear and concise, bright and full of photos, and covers just about everything you'd ever need to know about yurts. It is obvious upon reading the book that the author has used her own extensive personal knowledge and experience in writing it.

YURTS: LIVING IN THE ROUND offers both a history of the nomadic yurt round house design and a survey of contemporary fabric yurts and how to build them, making it an excellent choice for any lending collection strong on alternative home-building options. Accounts from those who built and lived in yurts accompany color photos of differing styles and options, insights on how to choose and work with a yurt company, and even bear proofing a yurt. The blend of color photos and lively yet practical 'how to' advice' is unique.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I was not too impressed with this book. No real substance about contructing your own yurt. Very much aimed at the commercially bought yurt and not the home builder. Nice stories from yurt dwellers but of no real use apart from general interest. Pretty pictures but again, no real substance.
I would like to have seen some more info on construction of yurts.

We stayed in a yurt named Climbing Vine Cottage up in Newfield, New York near Ithaca for a little romantic get away after I read an article about yurts in the New York Times. Yurts are these awesome little round houses, as big as a cabin. They are so fun and different. You would be amazed at what you can do on the inside. Even in December in Ithaca we were toasty warm.

This book is a great reference about the ancient history of these round dwellings in the Mongolian deserts, and their modern counterparts.

It is the best book on yurts out there (and I've seen them all). It has a great reference section in the back. We can't wait to build ours next year. Until then, I'll just drool over this book instead!

The book weaved through the history and modern applications of yurts, or round tent-like homes. Yurts have been used in many parts of Asia for millennia and the author even gave yurts credit for much of Genghis Kahn's conquests. Now, in America, they are popping up as anything between a portable dwelling, as they were in Asia, made of modern materials, to an inspiration for modern architecture.

This book got me thinking about a lot of things. As someone interested in portable housing, yurts have an appeal to me. Modern fabric yurts can be built in a day, and taken down to be moved in a day. They can have all of the amenities of a modern home and can be heated more efficiently than a house with corners.

One thing I was most interested in was how round living impacted one's social life. The book told about how, for many people, being in a round space allows a group to have a closeness, opening up to one another. The book took it in a spiritual direction about being in touch with the earth that didn't suit me, but everything that it said about group gatherings in yurts seemed most applicable to my life and seemed like a setting that would be desirable to our family.

The book was well written and sucked me in an unexpected way. Most books about architectural structures don't have you dreaming about warriors one minute and sleeping under the stars the next. The pictures were phenomenal as well.

I would recommend this book for people that are interested in energy-efficient housing, small homes (although yurt-homes can be made to be quite large), portable housing and affordable housing. This book has a lot of info and resources to look into. Even though I'm not sure we'll go the yurt route, there was a lot of info that has inspired some new ideas in me.

Great resource book for anyone wanting to buy a yurt or live in a yurt. Gives a great deal of practical information on purchasing a yurt, deck building, plumbing, bear proofing and making a yurt a comfortable home.

Excellent overview of all types of yurts,very helpful and comprehensive appendix with websites,etc. Great photos.