A Mongolian ger is a portable, circular home designed to be assembled, taken down and moved across the steppe. Building one begins with a wooden doorframe and folding lattice wall sections, called khana, arranged into a ring. Builders secure the walls with bands, raise a central roof ring known as the toono, and connect it to the walls using slender wooden roof poles. Ropes and straps hold the structure together without permanent foundations.
The wooden frame is then covered with thick layers of sheep's wool felt, followed by an outer covering that protects against wind and moisture. More felt can be added during colder months, while the covering can be adjusted for ventilation in warmer weather. Inside, rugs and other floor coverings help reduce heat loss from below.
A ger stays warm because wool felt traps pockets of air, slowing the escape of heat. Its compact, rounded form sheds strong winds and has no exposed corners where drafts can gather. A stove near the center provides warmth, with its chimney passing through the roof opening. The roof opening can also help control airflow, though ventilation remains essential when the stove is burning.
Together, the insulating felt, sturdy frame and central heat source make the ger suited to Mongolia's harsh winters.