Rigid Wall Yurts Officially Permittable As Primary Dwellings and ADUS
Yurts occupy that happy space between tent and home where the synergy among space and design feels almost harmonic, like a well tuned “Om” or a low-tone wind chime––what the Japanese call “Forest Bathing,” or Shinrin Yoku–– it’s the awareness that nature has a psychological and emotional affect on our well-being. Maybe it’s the canvas roof, maybe it’s the lattice walls, maybe it’s the natural textures, the fir, the bamboo, the platform wood floors, the desire for macrame and hide-skin rugs; maybe it’s the sacred geometry of being encircled, with little between us, by trees, mountains, and open air. Maybe it’s the reassurance of knowing we’re closer, to a world that so often feels “outside,” or maybe, just maybe, while traditional homes are generalists, yurts are an opportunity to make space, with unique clarity, for what most fuels us. A chance at specificity in our own backyard.
It’s no offense to corners, and he takes no issue with the square, but Caleb Erskine, owner of Living Intent Yurt Company, is a master craftsman (yurts and hot tubs very much included) with a wood shop and fabric studio home to 11 employees, three hand-crafted products, and a shop dog named Makita.
After nine years of production, Caleb’s product line is expanding to include their long awaited Rigid Wall Yurts, what he and Sara DaSilva (General Manager and Head Yurt Wrangler) are calling, “The Round House.” The new yurts offer all the incredible design elements of the Lattice Wall Yurts, but with the efficiencies and insulation required to meet city code as a habitable primary or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), and if needed, can be financed with a construction loan. “Our lattice wall yurts are great for artist studios, yoga studios, makers spaces, classrooms, playrooms, workspaces, and event space,” says Caleb, “They’re affordable, easy to put together, and a great auxiliary space. But for folks who are wanting to live in the yurt, or offer long-term accommodations for guests, renters, or out-of-towners, our new Rigid Wall Yurt meets the energy, efficiency, and structural load requirements of a fully permit-able habitable dwelling.”
It’s a huge step forward for residents looking to add living space without months-long construction, or for land owners eager to combine the organic feel of a yurt with the structural comfort of a stick built home. All of Caleb’s yurts, regardless of style or size––which range from 14’ to 32’––are designed and fabricated to be installed by Caleb’s team in 2-4 days, and by the average buyer in 5-7. Which means in less than a week, your property could expand. “Our Yurts ship with all the screws, studs, everything pre-drilled and labeled, so that each component says exactly where it goes,” beams Caleb. “It’s like a puzzle, and it all just clicks together perfectly. We work with our inhouse CAD designers who have brilliant methods for labeling components and are consistently fine-tuning to create pieces that simply, click together. It’s exciting, because straight out of the box this home can be built, and what’s better, the process makes sense.”
Raised just north of Portland on a small island in Maine with 30 kids in his graduating class, Caleb built his first yurt as a home for himself and his girlfriend. From there, it was festival accommodations, Airbnb’s, and perfecting his craft. “I attended the University of Maine, studying business, but the school had a really high-end wood shop that nobody ever used. It was the first time I’d ever had my hands on some really nice woodworking equipment, so I built four yurt frames while I was in college, sold them, dropped out, and eventually moved to California. I had a tarp floor for about a year in the yurt I was living in, out in Penn Valley, until my grandma decided to come for a visit. I quickly built a platform floor using rounds of wood for the foundation and that’s when I started going to The Curious Forge Maker Space. I built yurts out of their woodshop before meeting my mentor, the best woodworker I’ve ever known, at The Nail Factory. Now, this is probably the fifth or sixth shop we’ve had, and it’s all been just very natural growth.”
Living Intent Yurts has been a gradual construction of Caleb’s goal to become the number one yurt company in the world. But aside from total yurt-domination, his passion for this unique style of living drives a deeper mission. “We make everything in house, so down the road (or maybe just around the corner) I want to provide housing for the young couple who can afford to buy land, but not a home,” says Caleb. “For the couple who has gumption, who can build out of the kit we provide, and who can create a home to code, on their own property, just like people used to back in the day. We can ship anywhere in the country, and I truly believe we make the highest quality products, especially when it comes to the small details. Everything a buyer interacts with in our yurts is smooth, including our handmade doors, window casings, and prefab platform floors. Typical ADU’s are shipped with factory products––formica counters, cheap wood––we’re using the best materials we can find on every aspect of our yurts.”
12146 Charles Drive Unit 9
Grass Valley, CA
530-270-9935
