Yurt People
The Yurt People by definition consist of individuals and groups who dwell in and construct Yurts. Yurts are inherently different than other forms of shelter. The primary difference is that this form of architecture utilizes the ancient principles and wisdom of tension and compression used in the traditional felt covered Yurt. Through the efforts of the Yurt People, the Yurt has evolved using these same principles of tension and compression using modern earth friendly engineered materials. To yurt, is to dwell in a circle with social design.
Who is Vital Designs and David Raitt?
My name is David Raitt. I have been building and designing Yurts since 1969. I am the sole owner of Vital Designs. I have trained and licensed Oregon Yurtworks; the Gaulburn Yurtworks, Sidney Australia; and New Zealand Yurts LTD to sell and manufacture my Designs. I have a Japanese distributor and a Seattle distributor of California Yurts. I am presently the C.E.O. of California Yurts Inc. and the general manager of the manufacturing and contracting arm of California Yurts.
I am 50 years old and together with my wife Kelly have four boys ages 8, 17, 20, 26 years old.
My main office and model home is in the hills above the town of Ukiah. I built portions of this home from locally milled lumber, which came from a sawmill I operated for three years and have since sold.
I live in a 3600 square ft. solar & diesel furnace heated cluster Yurt home on Mill Creek. There are 7 different size Yurts open to the public, on an appointment basis, located on my property. I am two hours north of San Francisco in the heart of Mendocino County. I design and develop the majority of California Yurts work. I consult at $45 per hr. (U.S.) on a contract basis. Working together with my associates I have designed and constructed over 1700 Frame Panel Yurts on four continents over a 32 year period. These projects have included: National Park Service craft rooms, Camps, Caravan parks, Motels, Retail sales, Resorts, Health Spas, Schools, Offices, Residences, Studios, Bed and Breakfasts, and Villages. My work has been written up in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, The Whole Earth Catalogue, The International Herald Tribune and numerous other national magazines and papers both here and abroad. My designs have been featured in the San Francisco and Sidney home shows. Australia talk shows and West Coast television have featured these designs.
My clients have included:
The Interior Department, The National Parks Service, The RJ Reynolds family, Esalen Institute, The Tassajarra Zen Center, Plumfield Children Academy, Abamagyra Monestaray, Orr Hot Springs, Terri's Homestay, McDonald's Playhouse, Hyde Vineyard, Esalen Institue, Kiva House, Mona Rill Quaker Community, Woodland Charter School, Rocky Creek Retreat, Grasso Vineyards, Windsong Cottages, U.C. Irvine, Tin Man Tasting Room, Sharfenber Vineyards, Singapore Zoo, Parliment House Canberra, Australia, San Diego Audoban Society, Camp Stevens, Koit Learning Center - Japan, Sonoma Ashram and many others.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Vital Designs P.O. Box 18 Talmage, California 95481 U.S.A. |
 |
CALL 888-cal-yurt (707) 468-0876 |
|
|
©2006 |
