POLLACK PERIODICA
An International Journal for Engineering and Information Sciences
DOI: 10.1556/606.2018.13.3.3
Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 19–30 (2018)
www.akademiai.com
A REVIEW AND SYSTEMIZATION OF THE
TRADITIONAL MONGOLIAN YURT (GER)
1
3
Gantumur TSOVOODAVAA, 2 Rowell Ray Lim SHIH
Mohammad Reza Ganjali BONJAR, 4 István KISTELEGDI
1,2,3
Breuer Marcel Doctoral School, Institute of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and
Information Technology, University of Pécs, Boszorkány u. 2, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
e-mail: 1tsovoog@gmail.com, 2rowellshih@yahoo.com, 3mohammadrezaa.ganjali@gmail.com
and
1
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Mongolian University of Science and
Technology, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
2
Department of Architecture. School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design, University of San
Carlos Technological Center, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
4
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Pécs, Boszorkány u. 2
H-7624 Pécs, Hungary 4kistelegdisoma@mik.pte.hu
Received 24 January 2018; accepted 28 May 2018
Abstract: Over the course of human history, vernacular architecture has developed according
to the climate, culture, geographical conditions and lifestyle. One of the fascinating designs from
around the world that have survived over the years is the yurt. Although it has developed over
thousands of years, the basic round form of the yurt remains unchanged. Nomadic people have
traditionally utilized the yurt because due to its portability, lightness and can be erected easily.
This unique architectural structure allowed the nomadic tribes to live and thrive in the harsh
Central Asian climate. In this study, the history, design, and construction of the traditional yurt
are reviewed and also proofed whether literature about the building physics performance of the
yurt still exists.
Keywords: Vernacular architecture, Nomadic architecture, Yurt (Ger) structure, Natural
ventilation
1. Introduction
The yurt is one of the oldest man-made structures in the world. Yurts have been the
home for the Mongolians for over 2500 years. The yurt shelter is a basic vernacular
architectural style for nomadic cultural countries around the world [1], [2], [3], [4]. The
basic round form of the yurt changed little over thousands of years and due to the
lightweight and collapsible wooden frame, it can be erected in a few minutes. The yurt
is spacious inside and due to the unique design, people can comfortably live inside the
yurt in any climate. This is because of the passive ventilation system called the ‘dome
chilling effect [5], [6] that the yurt is specially designed for. The size of the yurt usually
HU ISSN 1788–1994 © 2018 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest
20
G. TSOVOODAVAA, R. R. L. SHIH, M. R. G. BONJAR, I. KISTELEGDI
follows the size of the crown, which usually four times bigger than the crown radius [1],
[3]. The Mongolian yurt has a more precise module due to the dimension of the crown
holes of the poles [1]. This shelter is constructed of several lattices forming a circular
wall, which meets a post and lintel doorway. All materials used in the yurt are organic,
which is made up of wood and skin of life stock animals. The traditional materials used
in the construction of the Mongolian yurt are the sheep wool, skin of the cow, yak,
camel, horse hair and tail. The collapsible wall is made of wood sticks and is fused by
camel skin, which is easily applied and is very strong and durable [7], [8], [9], [1].
When fully packed, the yurt is easily transported by camel, yak or by a small car.
2. Review on the historical evolution of the yurt
Yurts have been in use for more than five thousand years in the Mongolian steppe
[1]. A recent archaeological expedition found yurts on rock paintings in the Bugat
soum, Uvurkhangai province, and Tsagaan Salaa, Bayan-Ulgii province of Mongolia
[1]. When humans began domesticating life stock animals they were already using yurtlike houses. In the first nomadic empire Hunnu (Xiongnu- BC 4th-1st century) located in
the Mongolian area, the people were already living in yurts. The Chinese historical book
called ‘Shi Ji’ wrote by Sy Machani stated that the people during this time ate meat and
wear the skin of life stock animals and covering the yurt in animal’s wool and skin [10],
[11], [1], [8]. Around the 1st century, the Mongolian area experienced a severe winter
and a devastating summer drought. The nomads lost hundreds of animals, which
resulted in a mass migration of several tribes to the South, the Indian region and parts of
Europe. Although a small number of tribes remained in the Mongolian region, it was the
start of the Mongolian yurts spreading around the world. After the fall of the Hunnu
Empire, nomadic states of Xianbei, Tureg, and Uigar used the yurt for basic shelter [12],
[1] [10]. It was in the 13th century that the Mongolian yurt had developed different types
and varieties, each adapted to the unique local culture and location. It was also during
this time that Chinggis Khan established the biggest Mongolian Empire. The armies of
Chinggis Khan used different sizes of yurts. The yurts for the king and queen have carts
that were powered by 33 oxen. Moreover, the generals and foot soldiers have yurts with
carts powered by around 3 to 11 oxen. Some yurts were not collapsible and had a very
strong inner structure that served as protection for the village during the night.
In the 13-17th century, Abtaisain khan’s (1554-1588) yurt was recorded to have used
8 to 15 huge wall yurts [1]. The yurt was built to house 300 people, which have stone
and brick floorings with smoke pipes for heating [10]. Presently, original stone floors
(45 m radius) still exist in the Erdene Zuu, Kharkhorin, Uvurkhangai province of
Mongolia. The original felt door was changed to a wooden door and the light crown
(Saraalj crown) (Fig. 1) was changed to a compounded crown because the people did
not move far and stay in the cities [1], [4], [7].
3. Structure and materials
The basic yurt structure has two main parts, which are the collapsible wooden frame
and sheep wool felt covering.
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
THE TRADITIONAL MONGOLIAN YURT (GER)
21
Fig. 1. a) Saraalj crown, b) Khorol crown, c) High and small Sarkhinag crown, d) Khorol crown
with trussed wood, e) Separable crown (Sarkhinag)
3.1. Collapsible wooden frame
Crown: The yurt has only one window located at the top and the form follows the
round crown. The main function of the crown is to support the entire structure, light
admittance, and ventilation. The crown is connected to the poles and supports the felt
roof. Ancient Mongolians and some countries used pressed wood made by birch wood,
brushwood or larch wood. In humid areas, larch wood is more suitable but can be very
heavy [13], [7]. Presently, Mongolian, Inner Mongolian, and American yurts have
harder crowns than old ones, which are glued and compounded crown. The crown has
many types (Fig. 1) [1], [7].
Poles (Uni): The poles are usually made of wooden sticks and connect the crown
and walls of the yurt [4].
Walls: The size and shape of the yurt depend on the number of the walls, wall parts,
respectively. The wall transmits the compression weight on the soil, while the wooden
lattice makes the walls collapsible. The binding is made of cattle hide, which
strengthens the exterior of the yurt. The yurt can be large or small, depending on the
number of walls (4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12) and connects to a door.
Door: During ancient times the people used doors made of felt shutters, lifting it up
to open or close. This simple method operated as a door and in present times the
nomads replaced these with wooden doors. The door is considered the heaviest among
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
22
G. TSOVOODAVAA, R. R. L. SHIH, M. R. G. BONJAR, I. KISTELEGDI
the parts of the yurt and in term construction the door is made with single or double
boards.
Column: Columns are the main vertical supporters of the yurt. The yurts with 4, 5, 6
wall parts have two columns and those with 8, 10, 12 wall parts have four columns.
Columns support the crown from the bottom and safely secure all components of the
yurt.
3.2. Felt covering
The roof, walls, and urkh (cover for the hole on the top) are made of felting. The
covering materials are handmade which is composed of wool and the hair of life stock
animals. In early times, they used the white color of the bone or limestone for painting
the felt. For waterproofing, they used goat fat and in present times standard
waterproofing materials are used for protecting the felt. Finally, felt covers are attached
by lines as three belts on the wall parts.
4. Types of yurts
There are different varieties of yurt found around the world. Today’s yurts vary
according to use: commercial, tourism and residential. Fig. 2 demonstrates 31 countries
using yurts and out of which 13 countries apply the traditional yurt. The basic form of
the yurt evolved over the years, while the location and climate had a huge impact on its
design and shape [14]. The locally originated (Mongolian) yurt was developed by the
traditional means. Foreign yurts adapted the original Mongolian yurt in some countries,
whereby from region to region alternatives of different designs appear. Presently, most
countries use the yurts for business and tourism purposes (Fig. 2.) [1], [2].
Fig. 2. The location map of traditional and adapted yurt in use today
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
THE TRADITIONAL MONGOLIAN YURT (GER)
23
Mongolian Yurt: The Mongolian modern yurt was used from 1900 by the Kalmyk
(people are one nation of Mongolia, live in Russia) and Buryatia (people are one nation
of Mongolia, live in the south side of Russia) tribes, which were part of Russia. During
this time, they added details of Buddhist symbols on the yurt. They also changed the
crown to ‘Khorol’ crown (Fig. 1) and added some pattern details on the wood. It was
also this time, while the yurt was treated more of the artistic expression of the user. The
yurt was becoming more and more beautiful, in terms of artistic qualities. The
Mongolian yurt (Fig. 3) is considered to be the most developed ger because it is the
largest, most solid as well as most decorated one that was used first in the steppe of
Mongolia [15], [1], [7].
Fig. 3. The Classic form of a Mongolian Yurt
Hunnu Yurt: The Hunnu yurt was the first full dome-shaped yurt. The poles are
curved like an arc and the crown was composed of two connected arches of the same
size (Fig. 4). Currently, many countries have adopted this type of crown (Fig. 1), which
is called the ‘Saraalj’ crown [1], [7].
Mongolian Empire Yurt: The main difference of this yurt is the recognizable double
crown, which acts like a chimney that draws smoke out of the yurt (Fig. 4). This design
also helps to stabilize the oxen carts. It was also during this period that the Mongolian
nomads used it with oxen cart, which resulted in different varieties and functions of the
yurt [1], [7].
Inner Mongolian Yurt: As it is shown in Fig. 5, the Inner Mongolian yurt has
significantly bigger crown than the Mongolian yurt. In Inner Mongolia the yurt is still
very popular, and Inner Mongolians keep the traditional and cultural way. This type of
yurt consists of wooden trusses, instead of pole holes (Fig. 1) and the trusses are
connected directly to the poles. Finally, the poles are lightly cantilevered from the sides
of the wall [7], [9], [15].
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
24
G. TSOVOODAVAA, R. R. L. SHIH, M. R. G. BONJAR, I. KISTELEGDI
Hungarian Yurt: The only country that possesses the traditional yurt in Europe, is
Hungary. During ancient times, Hungarian people lived in typical roundhouse yurts.
(Fig. 5) [16], this type of Hungarian yurt is closely related to the Hunnu yurt.
Fig. 4. Drawing of Hunnu and Mongolian Empire yurt
Fig. 5. Drawing of Inner Mongolian and Hungarian yurt
Middle East Yurt: In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan some
people live the yurt, which is a bit similar than the Mongolian yurt (Fig. 6). Crown is
similar to the Hunnu yurt’s crown, which is the so-called ‘Saraalj’ crown (Fig. 1). The
ends of the poles are curved and the Kazakh yurt has higher roof geometry due to the
longer poles. In ancient times they used felt shutter but today, wooden doors are applied
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
THE TRADITIONAL MONGOLIAN YURT (GER)
25
(Fig. 6). Some yurts in Uzbekistan also have double sided walls, which are significantly
taller than other yurts (Fig. 7) and the wall cover is made of woven cloth [17].
Afghanistan Yurt: This yurt type is decisively smaller than the other yurts and the
form is taller. Similarly, the crown is also smaller, compared to the other yurts’ crowns
(Fig. 7) [7]. The old version of the Afghan mobile yurt is made of latticework wooden
frame, which is covered with woven reed matting bands in several different colors.
Several long poles are fastened with special knots, supporting the poles to the
wooden frame (crown) on the top. There is usually intricately designed felt which is
fixed on the top of the roof, while decoration usually appearing inside of the yurt [17].
Fig. 6. Drawing of the Kyrgyz and Kazakh yurt
Fig. 7. Drawing Uzbek and Afghanistan yurt
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
26
G. TSOVOODAVAA, R. R. L. SHIH, M. R. G. BONJAR, I. KISTELEGDI
Iran Yurt: ‘Chador’ or ‘Kapar’ are the terms, which mean yurt in Iran. Due to hot and
humid weather conditions, this type of yurt is without a crown on top. The walls are
usually made by folding lattices, combined with straps. The wall around the yurt is
made of multiple vertically standing lattices. To create the roof, they usually use poles
or slats, fixed from above into a wooden hoop. In a dome shape, the cylindrical
framework of the vertical round wall is attached at the side to the forks of the poles. The
wooden hoop is 3-5 m in diameter, which serves also as a small chimney. The diameter
of this kind of yurt is 9-15 m. The rounded wall is covered with several pieces of felt,
while the vault covering is managed separately and carpet or felt covers the floor. The
door is covered with a curtain or a light wood structure [18], [19].
American Yurt: The American yurt is considered to be the most modern yurt in the
world. These yurts are produced using the most advanced materials available. The yurts
are mostly being used for tourist in the USA and Canada. These yurts have windows
and crowns, which can easily be opened for ventilation. The poles are connected to each
other and supported by steel cables. The interior consists of several rooms, which are
elevated off the ground. The shape is similar to the Mongolian yurt but the walls and
doors are higher (Fig. 8) [20], [21], [2].
Fig. 8. Drawing of the Iranian and American yurt
In Table I all available yurt types are systemized according to place, historical time
of usage, functionality, structure and - in addition - temperature values of the climate
zones [22].
Dymaxion ‘Wichita’ House: In 1940 Buckminster Fuller designed the Dymaxion
House, which was considered to be the answer to many housing shortages following the
2nd World War. The shape and form were very similar to the yurt, using recycled metals,
including steel, aluminum, and Plexiglas. A single-family unit can weigh as much as
2700 kg.
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
THE TRADITIONAL MONGOLIAN YURT (GER)
27
Table I
Start period
of usage
Function
Materials
Mongolia
4th BC
residential
Mongolian
empire yurt
Mongolia
13th
century
residential
Mongolian
Yurt
Mongolia
Buriad
Khalimik
1900
residential
tourism
symbol
wooden
frame, felt
cower
wooden
frame, felt
cower
wooden
frame, felt
cower, cotton
cover, water
protection
Inner
Mongolian
Yurt
Inner
Mongolia
1900
residential
tourism
wooden
frame, felt
cower
Hungarian
yurt
Hungary
7th
century
residential
tourism
Kyrgyz yurt
Kyrgyzstan
13th
century
Kazakh yurt
13th
century
13th
century
residential
tourism
Afghan yurt
Mongolia,
Kazakhstan
Turkmenista
n Uzbekistan
Tajikistan
Mongolia
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Afghanistan
residential
tourism
symbol
residential
tourism
wooden
frame, felt
cower
wooden
frame, felt
cower
wooden
frame, felt
cower
13th
century
residential
tourism
Iran yurt
Iran
13th
century
residential
tourism
American
yurt
USA,
Canada
1967
residential
tourism
Double wall
yurt
Climate
/max-min
temperatures
in ºC/
Country
Hunnu yurt
Crown
Types of the
yurt
Systemized general information of different yurts with additional climate data
Saraalj
30.6(-22.5)
Double
Saraalj
30.6(-22.5)
Khorol,
Saraalj,
Sarkhinag
Khorol
with
trussed
wood
Khorol
with
trussed
wood
Saraalj
30.6(-22.5)
Saraalj
37.1(-11.0)
Saraalj
37.1(-11.0)
wooden
frame, felt
cower
wooden
frame, felt
cower
wooden
frame, felt
cower
Saraalj
37.1(-11.0)
Saraalj
37.1(-11.0)
-
43.94.9
wooden frame,
felt cower,
midbrain water
protection
American
yurt crown
44.9(-11.0)
36.4(-14.3)
34.6(-12.2)
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
28
G. TSOVOODAVAA, R. R. L. SHIH, M. R. G. BONJAR, I. KISTELEGDI
Both the yurts and Dymaxion House are provided with the system of natural ventilation:
the dome of the Dymaxion House induces a ‘dome chilling effect’ [5], [6]. At the center
of the interior, there is a hole that functions both as heating (chimney) and for natural
lighting (skylight). The ‘Wichita house’ has some windows on the wall and had a
rotating vent at the top, fitted with the rudder. The final design of the house used a
central vertical stainless steel strut on a single foundation. The structures look similar to
that of an umbrella.
Fuller studied the effects of wind drag on the house. In his wind tunnel analysis, the
house was exposed to wind speed from 12-miles an hour (19.3 km/h) to 70-miles an
hour (112.6 km/h), from which point the flat planking began to fly off in parallel with
the wind direction [5], [23] (Fig. 9). Rudders that rotated with the wind was the new
design innovation implemented by Fuller. The induced vertical-driven vortex sucks
cooler air downward if properly ventilated [5], [6]. A tornado once passed 270 meters
from the ‘Wichita house’ in 1964, and was not able to cause considerable damage to the
structure. The Dymaxion House house never went into mass-production but Fuller’s
experiment with the wind was a remarkable success [6].
Fig. 9. Dymaxion Deployment unit (Wichita house) [7]
5. Conclusion
The yurt is one of the most typical nomadic traditional vernacular architecture
solutions. Some countries are losing the nomadic culture and yurt house because the
lifestyle is changing to the urban form of life. In Mongolia, people use the yurt in the
city called ‘Ger area’, - a settlement zone that does not connect to any water supply and
wastewater treatment system or heating supply system. On the basis of comprehensive
literature and scientific paper research, a review is provided about architectural,
structural, and material systematization of the yurt, creating a complete yurt-typology.
Regarding the professional and scientific publications, it is apparent that practically no
research is existing about the building physics performance of the yurt. Since
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
THE TRADITIONAL MONGOLIAN YURT (GER)
29
researchers usually write about Mongolian, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz yurt’s architectural and
structural characteristics, without considering any climate and/or energy issues, in
following research steps we see the necessity of analysis of the physical performance of
buildings, with special regard to efficiency and environmentally conscious and
comfortable design. Calculation results can help to develop contemporary sustainable,
light weight-transportable housing solutions.
Reference
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
Daajav B. Yurt as the origin of Mongolian architecture, (in Mongolian) Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia, Translated, 2006.
King P. The complete Yurt handbook. Eco-logic books, 2001.
Kemery B. Yurt: Living in the round, Gibbs Smith, Publisher, Utah, USA, 2006.
Bayarsaikhan B. Put up a Ger, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 2006.
Mrkonjic K. Autonomous lightweight houses: Learning from yurts, The 23rd Conference on
Passive and Low Energy Architecture, Geneva, Switzerland, 6-8 September
2006, p. 4.
Gorman M. J. Buckminster fuller: Designing for mobility, Italy, 2005.
Bat-Ulzii B., Dagmid O. Encyclopedia of the ger, the dwelling house of Mongols, (in
Mongolian) 2nd ed, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Translated, 2016.
Gao X., Zeing H. K., Jin G. Green design property of Mongolian yurt, (in Chinese) Inner
Mongolia Agricultural University, China, Translated, 2009
Guan X. W., Di L. An investigation on the techniques and skills of making Mongolia yurts
in the Zhenglan-qi Mongolia yurts factory, (in Chinese) Journal of Guangxi University for
Nationalities (Natural Science Edition), China, Vol. 4, Translated, 2006, pp. 49‒52.
Altangerel M., Dashdendev N. B., Bikales E. G., Sabloff L. W. Modern Mongolia,
Reclaiming Genghis Khan, USA, 2001.
Salvalai G., Imperadori M., Lumina F., Mutti E., Polese I. Architecture for refugees,
resilience shelter project: A case study using recycled skis, Procedia Engineering,
Vol. 180, 2017, pp. 1110‒1120.
Chong, G. C.. A study on spatial composition and elements of Ger architecture in
Mongolia, Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2014,
pp. 111‒117.
Nikiforov B. S., Baldorzhieva V. B., Nikiforov S. O., Markhadaev B. E. The design of
Mongolian yurts (Ger): Genesis, typology, frame and modular technologies and their
transformation, Sciences of Europe, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2017, pp. 56‒69.
Liu H. Y., Li Z. M., Ko F. K. A fractional model for heat transfer in Mongolian yurt,
Thermal Science, Vol. 21, No. 4, 2017, pp. 1861‒1866.
Zhang X. H., Bai Y. T. Study on Mongolian yurt features and its environmentally friendly
design, Joint International Conference on Materials Science and Engineering Application
and International Conference on Mechanics, Civil Engineering and Building Materials,
Nanjing, China, 21-23 April 2017, p. 6.
Nemcsics Á. Contribution to a round church reconstructed from its foundation wall,
Pollack Periodica, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2011, pp. 87‒98.
Dupree L. Afghanistan, Princeton University Press, 1980.
Kuzmina E. E. The origin of the Indo-Iranians, Leiden, Boston, USA, 2007.
Javad E., Namdar S. A. Sustainable systems in Iranian traditional architecture, Procedia
Engineering, Vol. 21, 2011, pp. 553–559.
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3
30
G. TSOVOODAVAA, R. R. L. SHIH, M. R. G. BONJAR, I. KISTELEGDI
[20] Apak K. Modernization of the ‘Yurt’ tensile structure, International Conference on
Adaptable Building Structures, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 3-5 July 2006, Paper 10-295.
[21] U.S. Patent No. 15/295,654, Housing system, Barry R. M. 2015.
[22] Liedl P., Hausladen G., Saldanha M. Building to suit the climate: A Handbook, Walter de
Gruyter, 2012.
[23] Haber I., Farkas I. Analysis of air-flow at photovoltaic modules for cooling
purposes, Pollack Periodica, Vol. 7, No. 1, 2012, pp. 113‒121.
Pollack Periodica 13, 2018, 3