DIY Network

Yurt Home: Marian and Betsy's Build, Part 1 From "Assembly Required" episode DASR-111

In this episode of Assembly Required, can prefab make those historic yurt dwellings go from nomad, to no problem? Tag along as a crew takes "DIY" to the extreme, tackling their own yurt build on Whidbey Island. And – another family finds a new meaning for the word "challenge."

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Marian and Betsy's Build

Building a prefab home kit in a matter of weeks is what it’s all about at this shop in Eugene, Oregon. It’s not just any home factory – these experts create almost all of the pieces future homeowners need to construct a yurt. The quirky round structure was once called a "ger." It was invented by Mongolian nomads thousands of years ago as a portable, easy to build dwelling (figure A). Today, yurts have evolved from portable lattice and canvas abodes, into permanent, solid, hip, custom homes (figure B). Oregon Yurtworks owner Morgan Reiter and his team work out all the kinks to the precut kit, so that home assembly will go quickly onsite.

While Bill stains each piece of siding individually according to the homeowner’s specifications, Darby cuts the Douglas fir rafters in the shop. Joris builds the wall panels in a jig, ensuring tight tolerances. These experts are custom building this yurt kit for Seattle residents, Marian Quarrier and Betsy Brace. They chose the unique structure for their new weekend home on Whidbey Island. Just months ago – Morgan and his designer, Dayle Brinton, helped the couple with the design (figure C). They had one obstacle to face - island codes prevented them from building anything larger than 1,000 square feet. Dayle and Morgan helped the couple design the most livable space within that restriction. They took the "basic with wings" plan and added a few personal touches like a two foot "bump out" for extra kitchen space and 14 foot high walls in the center circle flanked with three wings holding a bedroom, bathroom, small study and a mudroom for the dogs.

Betsy and Marian enlisted friends to serve as crew during their upcoming yurt raising. It’s going to be a challenge so they’ve also signed on a secret weapon from Yurtworks factory – Jim Pelkey.

RESOURCES :

Oregon Yurtworks, Inc.
1285 Wallis St.
Eugene, OR 97402
Telephone: 1-541-343-5330
Toll Free: 1-800-211-8470
Fax: 1-541-344-0165
Website: www.yurtworks.com

Mujaan
Website: www.mujaan.com