The Yurt: Nomadic Architecture for a Resilient Future

In Issyk-Kul region, as in the wider Central Asia, yurts and yurt-making are one of the main cultural traditions. It is a remarkable example of nomadic adaptation to the harsh weather conditions of the region—mobile, durable, constructed entirely from renewable, locally sourced materials, such as willow wood, reed, and felt. This project celebrates and safeguards the Kyrgyz yurt (boz üi). Through intergenerational workshops, elders will pass on yurt-making knowledge to youth, with the goal of creating a community-owned mobile yurt museum. The interior of the museum will be designed in workshops led by women, and local stories focusing on yurts, as well as techniques and oral will be documented. An educational film will support cultural transmission alongside planting of 300 willow and reed saplings in the areas where yurt makers reside. This will contribute to reviving the natural resources necessary for traditional craftsmanship and raise awareness about the fragility of these ecosystems.