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Wooden Yurts and Round Houses: Mindful Living Circular Home Designs

Mindful Living has been building unique round homes since 1982, evolving the ancient yurt concept into modern wooden structures with state-of-the-art craftsmanship. Their designs range from compact 158 square foot structures to larger family homes approaching 1,000 square feet.

Design Details

  • Builder: Mindful Living (Yurtworks)
  • Established: 1982
  • Construction: Wooden yurt structures
  • Smallest Model: Wolf Creek 1 (158 sq ft, 13′ diameter)
  • McKenzie Series: 669-912 sq ft (24′-29′ diameter)
  • Delivery: Shipped as finished product

About Mindful Living’s Approach

From their company description:

Mindful Living began the business of building unique round homes in 1982. Now, a quarter century later, it has expanded and evolved to become the established business it is today. The conception, implementation and achievement of our homes depends on each individual in the team, and because our homes are essentially shipped as a finished product, we have exact standards of quality and excellence. We’ve adapted our business practice to accommodate the needs of our clients, so that what Genghis Khan started hundreds of years ago Mindful Living has refined into state-of-the-art craftsmanship; efficient, affordable and exceptional.


Model Range

The Wolf Creek 1 represents their smallest design at 158 square feet with a 13-foot diameter, suitable for a studio, office, or guest space. The McKenzie series offers larger family-sized options, with wraparound decks that extend the living space outdoors. These models range from 669 square feet (24-foot diameter) to 912 square feet (29-foot diameter).

Why Round Houses Work

  • Structural Efficiency: Circular designs distribute loads evenly, requiring less material for the same floor area
  • Wind Resistance: Round shapes deflect wind rather than catching it like flat walls
  • Heating Efficiency: Open floor plans allow heat to circulate naturally without corners trapping cold air
  • Unique Aesthetics: Circular spaces create distinctive interiors unlike conventional rectangular rooms

Lessons from Wooden Yurt Design

  • Ancient Forms Still Work: The yurt design used by nomadic cultures for centuries remains practical for modern living
  • Diameter Determines Square Footage: Small increases in diameter yield significant gains in floor area due to circular geometry
  • Wraparound Decks Extend Living Space: Outdoor decking around round structures effectively increases usable area
  • Prefab Delivery Ensures Quality: Shipping completed structures maintains consistent craftsmanship standards
  • Scalable Designs Serve Different Needs: The same circular concept works from 158 sq ft studios to 900+ sq ft homes

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Alex

Alex Pino is the founder of Tiny House Talk, a leading resource on tiny homes and simple living since 2009. He helps readers discover unique homes, connect with builders, and explore alternative living.
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