A Simple Yurt

Sticks and stones
Make the bones
The skin is made
of Mud!

Traditional yurts are big baskets covered in woolen felt, and designed for portability. This one, however, is designed for greater permanence, and covered with a durable, insulating, earthen “fabric” made of mud, vegetable fiber, and lime. Add a simple, layered, fabric roof for a quick, efficient, inexpensive, and eminently practical shelter.

Topics Covered:

  • sticks: gathering, growing, scrounging, and adapting what’s available
  • properties and uses of earthen composites (mass, insulation, structure, ornament)
  • design principles (tension, compression, strength, efficiency, adaptability)
  • roofing, floors, and foundations
  • design variations (making it work where you are)
  • care and use of hand tools

Please Bring:

  • a good knife (a stout sheath knife rather than a pocket or folding knife)
  • a good thick pair or two of rubber gloves (the plaster contains caustic lime)
  • boots for stomping (rubber/vinyl is good)

Instructor:

Comments are closed.