The Nomad Yurt: Stick to the Real Thing
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 05. 3.07
I always get worked up whenever I write about modern prefab and commenters complain about the high price. However I did a double-take when I saw the price of the Nomad Yurt designed by Stephanie Smith of Los Angeles. She has updated the design in “in terms of aesthetics and materials” and it does have a modular plywood floor, but a 12 foot diameter model costs $ 8,300. However the real thing, as shown here, costs a little over US$ 5,000 for a 22 foot diameter version with an insulated skin. Stephanie's is cool looking and probably a quicker setup, but perhaps a bit over the top. ::The Nomad Yurt via ::New York Times
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I have to agree. I would hate to see what would happen if you had rain or snow on that thing. Looks pretty weak to me. The traditional route makes sense for some folks, but most people are going with more modern Yurts. I would check out www.coloradoyurt.com. I have stayed in several of their units, and find them beautiful and bomb-proof.
$8300? Wow! Cool design, but that price is way over the top.
I have been looking into getting a yurt, but most of the offerings in the US are way to heavy and overbuilt. It is almost like they forgot the structure is supposed to be portable!
These folks seem to be the only ones really trying to make a modern, portable yurt:
http://www.GoYurt.com
I am seriously considering one to enable a more nomadic lifestyle...or at least have a great space at Burning Man ;-)
check out bucky fullers cardoard domes!5cents a square foot!
Link please Tom!
(PLEASE!!!)
(I wrote an essay on Buckminster Fuller about a year ago in college and I never came across him working in cardboard. I would LOVE to give a cardboard geohesic dome a go if there are plans to be found)
I am building a 27ft yurt and including insulated floor i'm probably gonna spend 5000 to 6000
Thats with a canvas cover and wool felt & batting insulation. The rafters are sapplings i cut from a forest that grew to close together. All the wood just for the walls cost 120.00 bucks ;)
their not hard to make.
I also think the price is way too much. People out in the world wanting to become nomadic need more than a fluffy lightweight fantasy structure. You need something real, durable, and portable, like a real yurt. Try Pacificdomes.com you are in for a treat! Enjoy
I like this design very much ! Congratulations, and Happy New Year :)
Alex