Sustainability Institute
working towards a sustainable future
Gurt and Gurt Construction Workshops
A gurt is a hybrid between the yurt and Mongolian ger, developed by the Sustainability Institute.
The Sustainability Institute can supply three different sizes of gurt.
Gurts can be custom made to suit individual requirments. Optional extras included double glazed doors, timber framed opening windows, flue pipe fittings, and insulated walls.
Details of the standard models are listed below.
The Meeting Place
Diameter: 5.3 meters (17½ feet)
Wall height: Approx 2 meters (6½ feet)
Frame: Irish larch
Floor: Heavy Irish larch boards on heavy duty timber joists
Number of doors: 1
Doorway dimensions: 900mm wide by 1900mm high (3 feet by 6¼ feet)
Door construction: Timber
Number of windows: 2
Window construction: Clear PVC (removable)
Size of windows: 1100mm wide by 800mm high approx
Price incl. VAT €4800
The Workshop
Diameter: 7.1 meters (23 feet 4 inches)
Wall height: Approx 2.1 meters (7 feet)
Frame: Irish larch
Floor: Heavy Irish larch boards on heavy duty timber joists
Number of doors: 2
Doorway dimensions: 900mm wide by 1900mm high (3 feet by 6¼ feet)
Door construction: Timber
Number of windows: 2
Window construction: Clear PVC (removable)
Size of windows: 1250mm wide by 800mm high approx
Price incl. VAT €6600
The Gathering
Diameter: 9.15 meters (30 feet)
Wall height: Approx 2.1 meters (7 feet)
Frame: Irish larch
Floor: Heavy Irish larch boards on heavy duty timber joists
Number of doors: 2
Doorway dimensions: 1350mm wide by 2000mm high (4½ feet by 6½ feet)
Door construction: Timber French doors
Number of windows: 3
Window construction: Clear PVC (removable)
Size of windows: 1250mm wide by 800mm high approx
Price incl. VAT €9900
Versions of the Meeting Place and Workshop will be used by the Institute at various venues during the summer and autumn.
Fabric
All gurts listed are priced for coverings made of waterproof duck cotton. To the best of our knowledge it is sourced in India. There are however many very serious ethical, moral and environmental concerns about the way cotton is produced. More pesticides are used on cotton than any other crop. In many producer countries, including India, Egypt and Uzbekistan, children as young as 7 work in the cotton fields.
The Institute is investigating the possibility of using flax or hemp fabric for gurt coverings. Both fibres have a much lower environmental impact than cotton, and can be sourced from countries in which there is better protection for agricultural workers.
One of the most promising options is a heavy, densely woven hemp 'denim' from Romania. However, the main difficulty with both hemp and flax fibres is that they are not available as water-proofed fabrics. Nor is there any indication as to how they might perform when proofed.
The Insititute is intending to carry out trials of Romanian hemp fabric, using several different methods of waterproofing.
Floors
All three gurts are available in an un-floored version for use directly on the ground or on a seperately constructed floor. It is strongly recommended that gurts are not placed directly on the ground however as this will shorten the life of the wall materials.
Ideally the gurt floor should have a circular shape and be very slightly larger than the finished gurt wall. It should lie on a strong supporting frame of joists and be raised off the ground by 250-400mm. This allows for the wall fabric to hang down outside the gurt floor, which makes the structure very weather resistant.
Relatively cheap floors can be made out of second hand materials.
Prices for un-floored gurts are as follows:
The Meeting Place ex floor:
Price incl. VAT €3900
The Workshop ex floor:
Price incl. VAT €5200
The Gathering ex floor
Price incl. VAT €7900
Workshops
The cheapest option of all is to make your own gurt. A gurt frame can be made by anyone with plenty of time, a work space and basic woodworking skills.
Sewing up the cover neatly and accurately is a more difficult task, and may be better left to someone with an industrial sewing machine and plenty of experience. However, sewing is an extremely useful skill, and an immensely satisfying activity once mastered.
Mongolian Ger and Yurt Construction (2 day)
This very comprehensive 2 day workshop will examine the design and construction of Mongolian style Gers and Yurts. The design aspects of the workshop will focus mainly on the hybrid gurt developed by the Sustainability Insititute.
Course contents:
Design and Shape
Plans
Materials
Wall Construction
Doorframe Construction
Wheel Construction
Roof Construction
Floor Construction
Cover Design and Assembly
The workshop will cover all the basic calculations necessary to work out the dimensions of the various components: wall lattice, wheel, roof poles, door frame, and canvas.
Students will have the opportunity to make their own wheel - the wooden centre piece that holds the roof frame together. Lattice construction will also be covered in detail, with plenty of hands-on opportunities. Sewing techniques and eyelet-making will also be covered.
Students should come away from the workshop with sufficient knowledge to attempt their own gurt/yurt/ger construction. Detailed workshop notes will be provided (digital format).
Due to the hands-on nature of this workshop, the number of places is limited to 4 students.
Accommodation is not provided but there is camping space (nice short grass!) at the venue.
Venue: Westport
Dates: 2011 dates to be announced
Price: €175.00 (students/unwaged €140.00)
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Please contact the Sustainability Institute for further details.