The traditional Mongolian Ger, or yurt, is a portable, round tent used by nomadic peoples. It has strong wooden poles and frames covered with thick felt fabric or animal skins. Gers are designed to withstand extreme weather and allow for mobility. They symbolize unity with nature in Mongolian culture and traditions. Setting up a Ger follows precise layout and etiquette rules reflecting its importance as a sacred home.

1. Traditional Mongolian Ger
Design Studio 1
Assessment 1, research
Lecturer M.Arch Sandra Draskovic
Student: Ninjin Khishigdorj
15 October 2012

2. History of Mongolian Ger
The word ‘Ger’ or ‘yurt’ has a
meaning of living space and the
word is not straightly translated
into other languages. This ‘ger’ is
‘home’ in English and ‘yurta’ in
Russian. Moreover, the words ‘tent’
and ‘caravan’ are used in
explanation of ‘ger’ due to its
availability of moving and re-
building.
Researchers say that
Mongolian ger (yurt) is originated
from wigwag (ovoohoi). The design
of Mongolian yurt has been
improved as life style changes time
goes by. Ger is the most common
necessity for nomadic people and is
designed to be persistent at any
natural disasters.

3. Advantages of Mongolian ger:
• Persistent in some natural disasters. Its short and round
shape helps to stand in strong wind and earthquake.
Also if the outer skirt is tied up during flood, a ger can
persist and not to be moved by flood water because the
walls are settled on the ground.
• Space usage. The round shape of a ger is the most
suitable for nomadic life style.
• Natural lightening. The crown, situated on the top
of a ger, is similar to windows, but also it is designed
well to manage airflow in a ger. People say that if
you sleep in a ger, you can feel yourself as a baby
slept in it’s cradle.
• Adaptable in climate. Single layered woollen felt
(cover) is used in summer to keep cool inside of a
ger and double covers can keep heat in a ger during
winter. Also, rain protection can be used during
rainy season.

4. Elements of construction
1.Ring, crown or toono
2.Roof poles or uni
3.Walls or khana
4.Door or khaalga
5.Center posts or bagana
6.Floor or shal
7. Waterproof roof or berzin
8. Woolen cover or esgii
9.Rope cover
10.Horse hair rope bands

7. The yurt frame is an ingenious assembly of well made wooden components, as quick to erect as any tent; but once
up more like a timber–framed building.
The yurt is a self-supporting structure; the frame holds its shape with no help from guy ropes or a stretched cover. In
all but the strongest winds the yurt will stand with nothing but gravity attaching it to the ground. This rigidity is
maintained by opposing forces exerted by different parts of the frame. The walls are firmly tied to the doorframe to
form a complete circle. The conical or domed roof, with its heavy crown exerts a force on top of the walls. This force is
kept in check and put to advantage by strong bands tied tightly around top of the wall. These opposing forces give the
frame great rigidity, which is further reinforced with the addition of downward pressure from a heavy roof cover and
the inward pressure from tight wall covers.
The yurt has an aerodynamic shape, the
wind slips over the structure with minimal
resistance. There are no flat or concave
surfaces to catch the wind. The yurt will not
blow down like an ordinary tent but can, in
exceptional circumstances, be lifted by a
strong gust of wind through the door. So
always peg the yurt down.

8. The shape of the yurt is very thermally
efficient. A large yurt can be easily kept
warm using a small wood burning stove
down to -5°C without any additional
insulation.
In Central Asia layers of thick felt keep the yurt
warm as the outside temperature drops well below
-40°C.
In hot weather the sides can be lifted: warm air
rises and exits through the open tono drawing cool
air in at the bottom.

9. The Practical Yurt
The yurt is probably the most practical temporary dwelling available, being:
Portable,Secure, the yurt can be fitted with a lockable wooden door. Entry cannot be gained even if the canvas is
cut.
Weather proof, the yurt has proven itself in the harsh climate of central Asia for centuries.
Warm in winter, being circular, with a relatively low roof it is easy to heat. Insulating layers can be sandwiched
between the frame and the cover.
Cool in summer, the sides can be rolled up, or removed to admit a cooling breeze. Hot air rises out through the
open tono, and cool air is drawn in.
Inconspicuous, despite having ample headroom, the overall height of the structure is low, allowing it to be easily
screened from unwanted attention.
Easy to erect, with a little practice the yurt can be erected or taken down in less than thirty minutes, even by one
person.
Easy to move, if you have pitched your ger in the wrong place, you can, with the help of a few friends, pick up the
entire yurt and move it without any need to take it down and re-erect it.
Environmentally friendly, coppicing of hazel, ash and willow, to provide poles is good for the tree and woodland
wildlife. All timber is from the local community forest. The yurt is a low impact dwelling, causing no permanent
damage to the land on which it is pitched. It can even be moved every few days to prevent the grass from being
killed.
Long lasting, the yurt can stand outside for several years without harm, if used occasionally it should last
indefinitely. In Mongolia the frame is expected to last a lifetime.
Fun!, for children and adults alike yurt camping is a real break from the usual holiday accommodation.

10. Within all cultures the circle remains the symbol of unity, representing the wholeness of all things and our
interconnectedness with nature. Shelter by Nomadic people is viewed as a sacred space, and everything in
the Yurt is orientated in the four directions thus acting as a physical compass.

11. Tradition and Etiquette
Having been home to the many tribes and cultures
of central Asia for millennia a great deal of
traditions, superstition, religious significance and
custom has built up surrounding the yurt.
Spiritual significance
To the Mongolian people the ger is more than just
a simple dwelling, in its construction the whole
universe is represented: The roof represents the
sky and the smoke hole the sun. The hearth
contains the five basic earth elements of
earth, wood, fire, metal, and water (metal in the
grate and water in the kettle). For the Mongols the
fire contains the house deity and is therefore
sacred, offerings are thrown on every morning. No
rubbish is burned on the fire and outsiders should
not take a light from it. The two upright roof poles
supporting the crown are of symbolic importance
rather than a structural necessity.
The Mongolian people are predominantly
Buddhist, and a shrine is set up opposite the
door, people sleep with their heads towards this
altar

12. Setting up home
The family yurt is usually obtained as a gift from the brides parents on a
couples marriage. The frame should last a lifetime, but the felt covers
need replacing every three to five years. The yurt is set up with the
door facing south. When families camp together during the winter the
group of yurts or ail are set in a circle with the opening to the south.
The roof poles and crown are carried in through the door, it is
considered bad luck to pass them over the wall.
The interior furnishings and seating arrangements are always
the same. The altar is placed opposite the door at the back of
the yurt. The hearth or stove is in the middle of the floor with
firewood or other fuel in front and a low table behind. The
western side is the domain of the men, male visitors and
honoured guests sit this side, where saddles, tools
and airag(fermented mares milk) are kept. The women and
children use the eastern side, where
rugs, bedding, food, cutlery, crockery and water are stored.
Servants, poor visitors and any sick or very young animals that
need nursing sit near the entrance.

13. My own organization

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15. MONGOLIAN GER color guide
Gers come in the six basic colors shown to the right. Orange,
red, light blue, dark blue, green and brown. On top of each base color,
each yurt component is then decorated with traditional Mongolian
designs that compliments your base color.
Red: A striking color. Often used for temple yurts due to many
Buddhist temples being
painted red. Can be a difficult color to live with but excellent for
commercial uses due to
it's striking appearance.
Light Blue: Well suited to a yurt in Western Europe. A combination
of the easy to live with
and dramatic. Whilst still bringing brightness to the interior of a
yurt.
Dark Blue: Not a traditional yurt color but one that is popular in
the West. Gives a yurt a
"distinguished" feel. Designs tend to be more prominent due to
being painted on a dark
color.
Green: Again not a traditional color, but perfect if you are going to
be siting your yurt in a
green field environment and do not want your yurt to stand out.
Has a very calming effect.
Brown: As per green, earthy but can be dramatic as the designs
when painted on a dark
color do stand out more.

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