19.3 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Yurt design aimed at social housing crisis

Latest News

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

Other News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's official, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Queer family visibility

Did you know that, statistically, if you’ve met a redhead, you’ve also met a trans person? Over 800 trans and gender diverse people live in the Byron Shire, which includes at least 200 children. They’re often a bit hidden though, so come on down and celebrate with them this Trans Day of Visibility!

What the duck!

Most days I ask myself ‘what the duck’ is happening here? How could Trump be president again if he...

Breakfeast, Bluesfest weekend

Victoria Cosford Oh to be a cow with a four-chambered stomach system! Farmers’ market, Bluesfest long weekend, a spot of...

Lismore Labor MP called out over native forest logging

More than five hundred people marched in the rain through Lismore to the local state member’s office in protest against government sanctioned native forest logging on Sunday.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

New Zealand born poet and inventor, Brian Forbes. Photo Jeff Dawson

Think of yurts, and generally lightweight canvas tents come to mind.

Yet Brian Forbes has invented a rotating and elevating yurt, which he says can address the chronic shortage of affordable housing.

And his designs are anything but lightweight.

‘I’ve been building yurts for 30 years’, says the New Zealand born poet and inventor, ‘And I’d like to see this as a social housing solution’.

The rotating aspect of the yurt is used mainly for the building phase, he says.

And while it is possible to rotate the yurt once it is finished (to follow the sun, for example), he says plumbing and electrics would need to be addressed, given they are fixed services.

It’s the elevation aspect; however, that Forbes says can help with providing social housing solutions.

After two floor levels are built together, they are both hoisted up, and the bottom level drops to create the first level. At that point, the structure’s framing and cladding can be added. It makes the building process more streamlined and easier.

It was all explained on ABC’s New Inventors years ago, and his working model is at the Ocean Shores Hub Church, as of going to press.

‘It’s a simple, yet radical departure from tradition, which offers a variety of internal layouts to suit all cohorts. It incorporates tiny house aspects with the principle of maximum utilisation of internal space’.

Forbes says, ‘This was initially designed for older women as co-housing units; the octagonal (full moon) sections can easily be split into two soundproofed self-contained “half moon havens”.’

He says it’s also a ‘door opener for younger folk by utilising the innovative fractional ownership system or rent-to-buy options’.

Forbes is hoping to attract ethical investors to the cause. He added that political avenues to encourage this type of structure, so far, have been unfruitful. Instead, he is taking ‘unilateral action, because an ounce of action is worth more than a ton of talk’.

To get in contact with Brian, email [email protected] or phone 0418 194 268.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

A health check as Medicare turns 40

If you’ll forgive the earnest tone, I’d like to propose a toast. To a friend who’s almost always there when you need them most. To a system that aims to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

Byron Council staff baulk at councillors’ promise of free parking for locals

Will Byron Council deliver on its pledge to make parking permits free for locals across the Shire when paid parking comes into force in Brunswick Heads?

Carrying and passing the torch

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's official, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.