Jake and Nicole’s Story
When Jake and Nicole stopped by our facility to pick up their Pacific Yurt, they told us they wanted to develop a sustainable property centered around a yurt. They also told us they wanted to share their story about the benefits of yurt life to bring more awareness to this kind of living.
We partnered with them to document every step of their journey through a video series highlighting what it takes to assemble and live in a backcountry yurt in the wilderness of Canada. These videos show how they started their exciting adventure, each step of the yurt build process, and their experience of living successfully off-the-grid in a Pacific Yurt.
Note: We recommend consulting a builder and/or engineer to plan your site-specific platform and always follow the Set Up Manual when assembling a Pacific Yurt.
“We wanted to give you our most genuine thanks for being such a great company and creating such an incredible product! Can’t wait to continue working with you into the future!”– Jake Mace
Join us by watching Jake and Nicole begin their off-the-grid life in their new Pacific Yurt in Black Fish Hollow in British Columbia, Canada!
A yurt’s circular shape creates an energy-efficient, strong, and appealing living space unlike any other. Join Jake & Nicole as they start their off-the-grid adventure by picking up their new Pacific Yurt and transporting it back to British Columbia.
Plan your visit with our Pacific Yurts Shipping & Pick-up Information.
Jake and Nicole found the perfect location for off-the-grid yurt living among the coniferous forests of British Columbia. Watch them clear the land and prepare their site before assembling their new Pacific Yurt platform.
Yurt placement and height above the ground are major decisions that impact off-the-grid living. Choosing where to build your yurt demands intentional planning. Learn how Jake and Nicole found the right location and the perfect height to build their Pacific Yurt in British Columbia.
Watch Jake and Nicole begin construction by setting out piers according to the framing plan and finalizing the height of their off-the-grid Pacific Yurt in British Columbia.
The next step for Jake and Nicole is to cut and level their yurt platform’s posts and support beams. Find out how they solved the challenges of setting up their yurt platform in Canada’s wild backcountry.
Start with the right foundation by Choosing the Perfect Yurt Platform and Flooring.
Platform beams and blocking are installed and secure. See how easy it is for Jake and Nicole to set a solid foundation for their off-the-grid Pacific Yurt.
Watch Jake & Nicole race to beat the elements as they put the final touches on their yurt platform and begin laying down their yurt flooring.
With a break from the rain, Jake and Nicole show us how they secured plywood flooring to their yurt platform and protected it from moisture.
The next day, Jake and Nicole find themselves rained out and left with a nearly finished floor plan. See how they overcame the challenges of building a yurt in the ruggedness of Canada’s backcountry.
How do yurts become circular? Find out by watching Jake and Nicole finish their yurt platform by cutting its perimeter to make it a perfect circle at the center of Canada’s wilderness.
Check out our step-by-step guide on How To Build A Yurt Platform.
A big moment for many yurt owners is installing the lattice wall. See Jake and Nicole unpack their lattice wall and set it onto their Pacific Yurt platform.
From door placement to your floor plan, every decision matters when assembling a yurt. Watch Jake and Nicole unpack and install their yurt door and secure their lattice wall.
After securing the lattice wall, Jake and Nicole begin installing their yurt’s rafters and center ring. Watch as they overcome a minor setback and move one step closer to building their off-the-grid paradise on Vancouver Island.
Window placement is important in any yurt build. Find out how Jake and Nicole planned for the ideal window arrangement to ensure their off-the-grid yurt interior receives the best natural lighting possible.
Learn more about How the Perfect Windows Can Influence a Yurt’s Interior Design.
Jake and Nicole’s yurt is almost done! With only a few steps left, their latest video highlights the process of installing the yurt’s roof insulation and top cover.
Each piece of a yurt’s wall insulation corresponds with the side cover’s window placement. See Jake and Nicole work towards transitioning their yurt into the circular dwelling of their dreams by installing and finishing its side cover.
That’s a wrap! Jake and Nicole celebrate the completion of their Pacific Yurt by installing their yurt’s dome and putting the final touches on it before settling into their new off-the-grid home among the natural wilderness of Canada.
Where Are They Now?
Many people ask us, “Where is Jake and Nicole’s new location? What are they doing now?”. It has been several years since Jake and Nicole first created and built their first Pacific Yurt. Today, they continue to live off-the-grid and have even expanded upon their initial yurt building.
Their DIY yurt homestead has expanded beyond the Canadian Wilderness and temperate forest to three locations including a tropical jungle, and a 36-foot sailboat. Their homestead includes: a carport, 2 cabins, a brick and cob wood-fired oven, a wood-fired wok stove, a custom salmon smokehouse, kiwi trellis, a log shower, wood shed, an outhouse, and a permaculture-style raised bed garden and fruit tree orchard.