The prototype or model was constructed at a 1:12 scale. The model is 24 inches in diameter, and measures up to 36 inches tall, including the central chimney. The proposal includes the possibility of manufacturing several different sizes, ranging from 12 feet in diameter to 24 feet in diameter. The range of sizes allows flexibility for people to choose a size appropriate to their needs and desires.
Pultruded Fiberglass was proposed as the material for the structural members. This material was chosen for its lightness, durability, reliability at both hot and cold temperatures and ease of mass production. The exterior cladding is made from a polyester nylon fabric, similar to the fabric used for spinnaker sails on sail boats. This fabric is extremely dynamic. The fabric is lightweight, strong and flexible as well as transparent. The fact that is it transparent allows light to penetrate into the ger, which traditionally has no windows.
The biggest challenge was integrating the option for servicing into the new GerUP. This was solved through the structural design, which implemented an inner and outer fiberglass rim, creating a double curtain wall. Not only does the 1-foot wall provide better thermal insulation but it also allows for services to be easily run through the cavity. Another challenge that expanded beyond the scope of the initial GerUP design was the proposal for stages of additional infrastructure, such as sewage, potable water and electricity, that could be integrated into the GerUPs as they become available in the ger district neighborhoods surrounding Ulaanbaatar. This challenge was met through a series of phasing proposals, in which services could be added one a time and not all at once.
The structure can be erected by hand without the assistance of heavy machinery, using a simple winch mechanism. As the uppermost rim is lifted, the middle rim simultaneously rotates, pulling the lattice walls up from their tightly nested storage position. By maintaining mobility, the GerUP allows for the continuation of the existing semi-nomadic lifestyles of the Mongolian people today. Furthermore, the GerUP does not leave a huge scar on the ground where it is erected. Thus, it has a minimal impact on the fragile landscape, similar to that of the traditional ger.
