03-07-2008, 03:12 AM
Good morning all.
Sorry, don't mean to be dogmatic about "yurt" definition. I defer in my definition to the people of the Mongolian and Tibetan steppe that invented them, and as you observe it the museum piece the modern interpretations are pretty different. As well, far be it from me to tell anyone how to live, and of the time I spent in the yurt, I more or less enjoyed it, and if the notion turns your crank, go for it. It's a fine adventure and perhaps fine for some. But, if the issue is if or no it's a practical, cost-effective and low impact way of building--well, not really. It's clear to me that the appeal of the yurt here is primarily the notion not that it's better than a small wooden cabin of similar size, only that it's cheaper and easier and faster to set up. And none of that is true. The yurt itself may be mobile, but its platform and other systems aren't really--and in any case, I often build cabins with deck screws so that they can be disassembled and moved and the lumber reused. The skills required to just pop up a small cabin on a remote site aren't had by many, but I think most of you with a little guidance are capable of acquiring them and in any rate they're skills needed by any who entertain the notion of an off grid lifestyle. Really, one needs those skills even to entertain the notion one's preference to the type of structure. Most any modest structure of any sort will cost 75 to 100 a square foot regardless of its type, and the shell is the cheapest part. It's not good stewardship of resources to build anything out of any material that is short lived and more or less disposable. A good wooden cabin will go a 100 years with ease, and if a yurt goes 15 to 20 and costs near the same, I'd suggest it's much less respectful of the material costs.
Anyhow, a very wise person once suggested to me that unless one has built a home with their own hands at least once in their life(and that means build, not purchase) one has missed out on a very basic and important human experience. I find that observation profound, and would say go for it, in what ever way you can, the best way you are able.
Good luck!
Sorry, don't mean to be dogmatic about "yurt" definition. I defer in my definition to the people of the Mongolian and Tibetan steppe that invented them, and as you observe it the museum piece the modern interpretations are pretty different. As well, far be it from me to tell anyone how to live, and of the time I spent in the yurt, I more or less enjoyed it, and if the notion turns your crank, go for it. It's a fine adventure and perhaps fine for some. But, if the issue is if or no it's a practical, cost-effective and low impact way of building--well, not really. It's clear to me that the appeal of the yurt here is primarily the notion not that it's better than a small wooden cabin of similar size, only that it's cheaper and easier and faster to set up. And none of that is true. The yurt itself may be mobile, but its platform and other systems aren't really--and in any case, I often build cabins with deck screws so that they can be disassembled and moved and the lumber reused. The skills required to just pop up a small cabin on a remote site aren't had by many, but I think most of you with a little guidance are capable of acquiring them and in any rate they're skills needed by any who entertain the notion of an off grid lifestyle. Really, one needs those skills even to entertain the notion one's preference to the type of structure. Most any modest structure of any sort will cost 75 to 100 a square foot regardless of its type, and the shell is the cheapest part. It's not good stewardship of resources to build anything out of any material that is short lived and more or less disposable. A good wooden cabin will go a 100 years with ease, and if a yurt goes 15 to 20 and costs near the same, I'd suggest it's much less respectful of the material costs.
Anyhow, a very wise person once suggested to me that unless one has built a home with their own hands at least once in their life(and that means build, not purchase) one has missed out on a very basic and important human experience. I find that observation profound, and would say go for it, in what ever way you can, the best way you are able.
Good luck!