Square Platform- dog houses- adobe floor

[Roof Rain]

Hello Yurt People,

I am getting ready to build my first yurt platform- climate is dry, Southern NM, winter lows in the mid-20's. Can be very windy, what snow there is melts off quick.

What are your thoughts on placing the yurt straight onto an earthen floor, like traditional adobe houses have? I'd imagine the platform exposure catches a good bit of wind, and in the winter loses heat.

If I do build a platform, I have two ideas.

One, I would like to build nooks into the platform to function as dog-houses for my hounds- inspired by old farmhouses where the livestock heat rose from the bottom floor. This would save me money and time building them their own structure. Any gaping problems in this, or ideas to integrate? How would you do it?

Second, the land I am building on has a lot of loose stone. Is there a way I can incorporate this into the foundation for any good use?

Many thanks!