Kim Dupont-Madinier

Evolution of a Vernacular Housing Typology

While families in the Ger Districts have already begun modifying the Ger with the introduction of modern household technologies, the Passive Ger design is a hybrid of long standing cultural traditions, modern building construction strategies, and housing amenities. 

Design Characteristics

• Total floor plan is 52 M2, with a Ger diameter of 6.5 meters

• Cost is approximately 780,800 MNT per M2 (335 USD per M2) including all construction costs and housing systems

• Energy consumption is approximately 83 kWh/M2 per year - 8 times more energy efficient than a Traditional Mongolian Ger

• Combined Electric stove with water heater

• Permanent structure which properly manages energy & moisture in the building assembly; using standard building materials in modernconstruction - allowing the Passive Ger to no longer have seasonal maintenance strains of a Traditional Mongolian Ger

• Certified Septic & Plumbing System adapted to the water well system of the Ger Areas

• Possibility for 3 rooms with more storage space: Living room, Bedroom, and Loft space above the Kitchen

• Three triple glazing windows for passive heating & ventilation, including a: Skylight on the Toono, South facing in the living room, and East facing bathroom window

Floor Plan

In the Passive Ger, the south facing entrance is moved to the right hand side to make way for a triple glazed south facing window - allowing for passive solar heat gain. The small vestibule entrance reduces the amount of heat loss inside the home. The bathroom hosts a sink, shower, toilet, and 1 ton water tank system providing “running water” to the household. Locating the bathroom systems in this area simultaneously respects traditional practices while acting as a practical location for water tank refills. The living room and kitchen area are combined with a slightly separated and elevated bedroom area to create privacy if needed. The elevated bedroom area leaves room for storage space below, removing clutter from the Passive Ger walls. Above the kitchen is a loft space, actin as an additional sleeping area for children.

Building Envelope

The Passive Ger building envelope is a hybrid of contemporary and traditional building materials. The assembly balances a strategic application modern and symbolic building materials to create an improved energy efficient while requiring little maintenance.

Looking at the wall section of the Passive Ger assembly, moving from the inside out, the Khana and Uni (wooden structural lattice frame and pillars) line the interior of the wall and roof assembly. Gypsum and vapor barriers is attached to hidden structural beams between the insulation cavities, creating a smooth curved wall aesthetic - replacing the interior curtains that families usually hang in front of the Khana of the Ger. Many families in the Ger Areas feel the Khana are hard to clean and prefer hard walls.

The Passive Ger replaced traditional insulation materials such as Mongolian felt with Mongol Basalt Rockwool insulation to provide substantial thermal mass and better retain heat in the winter. In addition, the manufacturing processes of the felt does not undergo strict washing and fabrication protocols - often creating an inconsistent sheet material that also produces strong odors when wet.

The Khana and Uni are utilized for their symbolic and structural role. The traditional Ger components are placed a second time on the exterior of envelope between the air barrier and PVC membrane to allow for airflow and prevent moisture condensation. The PVC membrane is traditionally installed on rooftops in contemporary buildings, lasting for 50 to 100 years as a UV and water resistant membrane. As a result, the performative qualities of the PVC membrane outweighed the traditional Ger’s cotton exterior membrane; often only lasting 3 years as a non-water tight membrane, frequently causing water damage to the rest of the Traditional Ger assembly.