Why our ancestors built round houses – and why it still makes sense to build round structures today

The oldest forms of indigenous shelter were often round in shape. (Think the Southwest USA <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogan">Hogan</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yurt">Mongolian Yurt</a>, North American <a href="http://inhabitat.com/7-cozy-tipis-and-yurts-that-make-you-feel-right-at-home/">Teepee</a> and the Greek Tenemos, among others.) Why did our ancestors choose to build round? Because the ovid shape -- eggs, earth, tree trunks, and stones -- is what they saw reflected in the surrounding natural environment. And, as usual, Mother Nature knows best. There is some nifty natural science that makes <a href="http://inhabitat.com/an-inhabitat-writer-shares-her-experience-building-her-own-sustainable-yurt-in-the-woods/">round buildings</a> more comfortable, more energy-efficient and safer -- especially if you combine the ancient shape with modern materials!

Circles can be stacked and connected. The same benefits of safety, air and temperature flow apply to a stacked round structure.

Why did our ancestors build round? Because the ovid shape- egg, earth, tree trunks, stones -- is what they saw reflected in the surrounding natural environment.

The walls around the interconnecting pieces can be infilled with many different materials. Like; strawbale, cordwood, cob, sealed envelope, ICF's, etc.

The open circle center can span diameters as small as 16' and as large as 60'.

The interior spaces of a round home follow the same patterns.

It's possible to combine living areas around the center circle space.

People report better sleep, calmer energy, greater harmony and more connection with nature when living or working in a round space. Maybe our ancestors were on to something!

“Circular living provides a balance of looking inward and outward, looking out at the natural environment and surroundings but then coming in again to the self and the hearth.”

Round buildings use less wall, floor and roof mate­ri­als to enclose the same square footage as a rec­tan­gu­lar struc­ture. 15 to 20% less mate­r­ial is used to cre­ate the same square foot build­ing com­pared to a rec­tan­gu­lar design!

Air and temperature move naturally in a round space.The ther­mal dynam­ics of open-at-the-top architecture round space uses no external energy to circulate temperature.

Roof trusses meet in a center ring, producing inward and outward pressure which holds the roof in a state of compression.

There are dozens of interconnected points in a round home. These are sites where engineered components- like a center radial steel ring, engineered steel brackets, Seismic and hurricane ties, bolts and steel cables- connect the structural pieces and give the building a unique combination of flexibility and strength- qualities which causes them to be significantly safer in severe weather conditions like earthquakes, extreme winds and heavy snow­fall

Wind and tsunami waves move naturally around a round building rather than getting caught at (and potentially ripping off) corners.

The oldest forms of indigenous shelter were often round in shape. (Think the Southwest USA Hogan, Mongolian Yurt, North American Teepee and the Greek Tenemos, among others.) Why did our ancestors choose to build round?...<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/why-our-ancestors-built-round-houses-and-why-it-still-makes-sense-to-build-round-structures-today/'>READ ARTICLE</a>