Dwell Outdoor's L.A. exhibit focuses on eco-friendly homes

AT JUST over $50 per square foot, the Nomad Yurt is a fireproof, weather-resistant update of the traditional Mongolian tent, says its creator, Stephanie Smith, founder of Ecoshack in Los Angeles. Crafted from bamboo with a plywood floor, shown at right, the design has a sleeker interior look than the latticework frame found in traditional yurt kits and takes two people less than two hours to assemble. Smith will display the Nomad Yurt at Dwell Outdoor, an exhibition of prefab homes and a solar-powered carport this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Gregg Fleishman's CUBE structure, left, also will be on display. The outdoor living pavilion is part of , the magazine-sponsored event that makes its L.A. premiere beginning today with a series of conferences and panels on architecture and urban gardening. The event continues through Sunday with home tours and exhibitions by more than 200 contemporary and sustainable design firms. Ticket information and hours: Visit www.dwellondesign.com.