The size depends on what you’re going to be doing inside your yurt and how many people you’re going to be accommodating: for example, to accommodate holidaymakers or a family of 4 who are building their house while waiting for the work to be completed, we recommend a 32m2 yurt, as it’s very versatile: you can accommodate a couple as well as a family of 6; for a small sculpture or personal meditation workshop, or a guest room, we recommend a 20m2 yurt. And for an activity that welcomes the public, such as yoga, catering or a meeting space, a 50m2 yurt is recommended.

The main difference is that traditional canvas comes from Mongolia, while Techniplus canvas is made in France. Techniplus canvas is more resistant than traditional canvas, is made of acrylic or polyester and is waterproof, anti-UV and anti-fungal. It is unadorned and plain in color. Traditional canvas has decorations on a white background, and requires a rain screen underneath because it’s made of polycotton (cotton is not 100% waterproof), and can be replaced more quickly over time than Techniplus canvas.

It’s a choice: invest a little more in a hard-wearing, low-maintenance technical canvas (perfect for professionals or those who don’t have the time to maintain their canvas), or go for a smaller budget with traditional decorations but be more attentive and change it more often.

Yes, 3 times yes! We’ve added a layer of waterproofing to all our yurts to prevent leaks, and the 2 cm thick felt made from 100% washed sheep’s wool provides perfect insulation from both heat and cold (hello to all the ski resorts we work with); sheep’s wool absorbs moisture very well, preventing saturation and condensation problems. Not to mention the resistance and aerodynamics of the round shape of the structure, which means it can withstand wind and snow (mind you, we plow every morning after all).

The lifespan of a yurt depends on how well you look after it. A yurt lasts for many, many years when it’s heated in winter and well ventilated all year round. We like to say at Gandan Yourte that it’s like a house: if you don’t heat it and don’t ventilate it well, traces of mould can appear. And if you’re not using it for part of the year, we recommend dismantling it (it’s quick) and storing it in a dry place.