Yurt as an alternative

[Christian]

Hello all,

We have a dream of one day building the 20' universal cottage but until then, it looks like a 30' yurt is our best bet.  We are trying to secure the property now and are looking to make the improvements soon. Needing to add a well, and such. As we are getting closer we are trying to work out the budget for what it is going to cost.

We are pretty sure how we want the interior laid out, something along these lines.


(Please excuse the octagon look, 3DHA cant make a circular wall for some reason)



What I need help on is designing the loft area. Not sure how you can support it without outside walls. I am thinking 2x6 T&G decking like this family did.



We are thinking of cement slab, and even cement countertops. We would acid stain the slab and seal it.
http://www.acidstainconcrete.com/
http://www.kemcooil.com/products.php?cId=1
Concrete countertops http://buddyrhodes.com/mix/mix_gallery.html

Composting toilet. (does anyone have experience with these?)

Wood stove.

Electric tankless water heater. http://www.tanklesswaterheaters.com/dhce20.html

Getting power from the street.

Any thoughts or hints would be appreciated.

These pictures are over at our yurt  gallery
http://www.chrisandjenni.com/gallery/album53?page=1
Keeping track of our ideas over here
http://ourcountryhome.blogspot.com/

Info on yurts
http://www.yurts-r-us.com/
http://www.yurts.com/
http://www.rainieryurts.com/
http://www.advancecanvas.com/yurts/

[John Raabe]

I would do any loft totally self supporting. A yurt does not have a real load bearing wall and cannot support a loft.

Build your lofts as furniture - think oversized bunk beds... or maybe a big 4 poster with a roof.

[rayn]

Your loft would be like a big bunk bed,  self supporting since yurts are just lathings, roof joist and canvas.  

I have to ask, but why a yurt?  What little research I've done they are fairly expensive IMHO, though I do see their advantage for a temporary setup.  I like the idea though,  maybe you found something out I didn't come across.

[Amanda_931]

Looks lovely.  I've run into people--on-line and otherwise who love their yurts.  

As far as I can tell the whole point of them is that they are not BUILDINGS, they have no permanent connection with the land, that they are flexible and move with the air.  This might be your idea, and it could also have a good deal to do with codes and planning approval on your site.

But.....

Why are you putting all this energy into a yurt?  

Why are you using all that concrete?  (not only not considered "green" any more but it's pretty durned permanent)

Secure? as in make intruder-proof?  Not sure a fabric building would ever be that.  And John's right on the subject of a loft  (He should be, he's the architect!).

As in inexpensive presence on the land?  Somebody's selling truly inexpensive ($400+shipping, IIRC) foam domes.  You still need some sort of base--something that could be turned into a gazebo later on?  Or even a tiny shell building--built on site or trucked to your place.

I've no idea what your land is like, so here are two contradictory suggestions.

John's buildings might be almost as quick to build as the enhanced yurt you are talking about.  Go for it.  Particularly if you are building on piers or posts, plumbing and wiring could be put in a bit later.

Don't do what a friend did--buy quite a large plot of land and start building, almost before he had walked the whole property.  He can't get his car out if it rains (probably the truck can make it--has so far, anyway),  since it was summer he decided that no inside bathroom would be fine (lately he took a--cold--shower outside at 29 degrees F--it was that or admit to those who told him what a dreadful idea this was, that it truly was stupid.  He still can't laugh at himself).  A year on the land before building is not a bad idea.  Four years in a travel trailer has gotten a little old.  

Honest to gosh store-bought composting toilets can get planning department approval in a lot of areas, at least according to the composting guys' web-sites.

But lately a lot of people I know have gone with sawdust toilets a la Joseph Jenkins.  Seems like his whole book--maybe minus pictures--is available on-line.

http://www.jenkinspublishing.com/humanure.html

[Zookz]

http://www.yurtworks.com

[Shelley]

Yeah Amada.

We investigated yurts.  Nesting Bird looked good to us, altho there are other mfgs closer to NM.  We discounted.  Do we really want a house that can be burglared with a utility knife?

Then, friends-of-friends bought one up in Colo.  Went to the raising.  Wanted to see. Helped quite a bit...they were clueless.  It's a nice tent.  That's really all they are.  Lots of $$ for a nice tent.  Cabela's will sell you a nice tent for 1/20 the price.  No windows, but still a nice tent.

You're much better off here.  Building a tight little house.