Based on an upgraded version of the traditional yurt-building technique from Mongolia and Uzbekistan, this sedentary yurt complies with the latest french building rules (RT 2012). It is 9m60 (30ft) wide for an overall interior area of 105m² (1130 sq.ft). Its structure is made of Douglas local wood, it is insulated with natural sheep wool and the external skin is made of acrylic textile.
It comprises a mezzanine of about 30m² wich welcomes a study, a guest froom and a reading area. Orientated to the North, two bedrooms and a bathroom are situated bellow the mezzanine. The rest of the interior space, oriented South, is dedicated to the living room, the kitchen and a dining area.
Its ecological performances are off the charts : With the use of local materials, optimized interior space, a smart orientation (all windows are facing South), a rocket stove, a natural hygrometric and thermal regulation thanks to the sheep wool insulation, its yearly energy consumption is below every low carbon standard (LEED, HQE, BEPOS, etc…).
Olivier Dauch and Anne-Sophie Bobey have been building Yurts for more than 20 years in the South of France. They make every part of it in their workshop near Najac : wooden pilotis, Toono (circle at the top), Khana (extensible wooden truss), custom made external skin, etc…For this specific projet, the making of all the parts took about 5 months. However, the assembling process on site, took less than 10 days and required nothing else than the help of five friends and volunteers!
Much more than a typical yurt, this project can be considered as a serious and replicable alternative to traditional dwelling in France as it presents more cumfort and architectural quality than most of standard houses currently being built, for twice less money, and a significantly lower ecological impact.
What makes this yurt notable is how it carries a nomadic building tradition into a permanent, code-compliant home. Local Douglas wood, sheep wool insulation, and an acrylic outer skin let it meet France’s RT 2012 energy rules while keeping the round, open plan that defines the type. It shows that vernacular forms, updated with the right materials, can answer modern comfort and efficiency needs at a fraction of a conventional build’s cost and footprint.
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