Designing a dome home involves several steps, including brainstorming, expanding on initial brainstorming sessions, measuring and measuring, arranging, and location considerations. The process of building a dome home can be divided into three main steps: assembly and installation of the skeleton, covering and fixing membrane materials, and the final assembly.
To create a monolithic dome home, consider factors such as views, contours, water drainage, sun angles, prevailing winds, and layout considerations. MDI has developed tools to make designing your dome home easier, faster, and more thorough, such as the “Catalog of Monolithic Dome Home Plans”. When designing a dome for residential or commercial use, it is important to think through multiple construction possibilities early in planning.
A fully-equipped geodesic dome home requires at least four areas: living area, kitchen area, bedroom, and restroom. Pacific Domes can help you design your 2-story or split level floor plan with over 40 years of expertise in prefab dome home design quality, style, and affordability. AirCrete, a foamy mixture of air bubbles and cement, is cheap to make, water-resistant, fireproof, and DIY-friendly.
To build a dome home, pour the slab, inflate an air form or membrane attached to the foundation, spray polyurethane foam onto the floor, and build the floor. Install a 15-foot post with a pulley at the top, build the first pentagon for the top of the dome, winch it up, and install the next.
A geodesic dome is a sphere-like structure composed of a complex network of triangles, providing optimum strength in less time. Geodesic dome frame work and cellular concrete allow homes to be both affordable and sustainable for everyone, with little incentive for excessive energy consumption.
📹 How We Built this Dome Home (For Under $11,000!)
In this video we explain how we built this amazing dome home for under $11000. New to Aircrete? Get our Free Ebook: Aircrete …
Are dome homes practical?
Dome-shaped concrete structures demonstrate resilience to a range of natural disasters, including wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. Their unique shape allows them to disperse weight without collapsing, making them a durable and adaptable choice for construction. Such structures have a higher initial construction cost but a greater probability of survival. The Smithsonian recently undertook the task of reassembling Weatherbreak, the inaugural geodesic dome constructed in North America, following a period of four decades in storage. The role of the dome in climate change is not yet fully understood.
What is a disadvantage of a dome shaped roof for homes?
Dome structures have several drawbacks, including non-standard windows and doors, complicated construction calculations, and materials designed for rectangular houses. However, with careful selection and cutting, materials can be saved by up to 20%. One major drawback is the difficulty in arranging furniture and organizing interior space due to curved walls, which may require custom solutions. Additionally, the slope of the walls can make it difficult to install shelves, cabinets, and other items, leading to extra costs for specialized equipment and furniture.
On the other hand, geodesic domes offer significant benefits, such as durability, resistance to extreme weather conditions, improved energy efficiency, and cost savings on building materials. These advantages make geodesic domes an attractive option for those seeking innovative and sustainable housing solutions. In conclusion, while dome structures have their drawbacks, they offer significant benefits, making them an attractive option for those seeking innovative and sustainable housing solutions.
Why are dome houses not popular?
Dome homes are sphere-shaped homes with a shell framework, first popularized by BuckMinster Fuller in the 1950s. They were initially popular due to their comfortable internal temperature and strong structure, as they enclose more volume under less surface area. However, they faced issues like water leaking and limited energy efficiency. Despite these issues, the popularity of dome homes is rekindling today.
The spherical shape of dome homes allows them to be roomier and less prone to damage from harsh weather and natural disasters. The larger the dome home, the stronger it is, as it distributes stress load across the entire structure, unlike regular homes that spread stress at right angles.
Are dome homes hard to sell?
Dome homes are often considered difficult to finance due to their unique style and construction requirements, which can decrease property value or make sales difficult. However, with proper support, financing concerns can be overcome. An experienced dome builder can guide you through the process, including permitting, zoning, and finding lenders that are friendly to dome home designs and builds. They can also guide you through the necessary reports and studies to start construction without issues.
Despite the challenges, the smaller buyer pool is more passionate about dome homes than most people are about conventional homes. They offer benefits such as safety, security, and low-maintenance living, making them a strong return on investment. Having an experienced builder on your team can help navigate the process and ensure a smooth construction process.
Are dome houses cheaper to build?
A dome home is generally cheaper than a traditional stick-built home due to its faster construction process, use of less building materials, and lower energy costs for heating and cooling. The construction process takes 3 to 5 months for basic dome homes and 6 to 9+ months for complex homes with more elaborate interior layouts or finishes. The cost of owning a dome home can also be lower due to lower energy costs.
What is the flaw of a dome house?
The article discusses the negative aspects of dome kits, such as their high cost, flammability, and labor-intensive installation. It argues that dome shells are made of fiberglass, which exceeds all code requirements for minimum thickness, making them eco-friendly and cost-effective. The company also mentions that domes are difficult to install due to their shape, making it difficult to conform to code requirements for sewer vents and chimneys.
Domes are also more difficult to roof than conventional houses, but they can be roofed exceptionally well, preventing leaks. They use 50+ year warranted shingles, covering over 80 of the surface area, ensuring no maintenance or painting for 50 years. Building materials come in rectangular shapes off the shelf, and waste from cutting is about 10-20% of the cost. The company solved this issue in 1979 and has substantially less scrap than someone building conventional houses.
Domes require twice as much sparking tape and electrical cable as conventional houses of similar size, with cable costs and labor costs doubled. They also take smaller pieces as part of their fuel source for heating five of their domes in North Branch, Minnesota. Foundations are critical, and domes take 13-15 less materials to enclose the same square footage in a basement foundation. Fire escapes are problematic and expensive, with windows conforming to code costing anywhere from 5 to 15 times as much as windows in conventional houses.
The article also criticizes neophyte builders who think swinging a hammer is what eats up time, stating that it’s measuring, cutting, and fitting. The company argues that smart builders plan their work around off-the-shelf materials to minimize labor expended in trying to make things fit. The Natural Spaces Dome System is a pre-cut building kit that offers “off-the-shelf materials to minimize labor expended” by the builder, even the neophyte builder.
The article concludes that all negative criticism about domes comes from “would-be” builders who tried to make the dome fit their box mentality, but they have solved these problems long ago and have stayed ahead of building codes and the changing “science” of building. The company encourages readers to contact them with any questions and to experience the benefits of living in a natural space dome.
How to create a dome house?
A dome home is a unique architectural design that features a rounded, sturdy dwelling without load-bearing walls. It is made of a sphere or rounded ellipsoid shape with doors and windows, and is built using an air form or membrane attached to the foundation. Polyurethane foam is poured onto the interior of the membrane, and steel rebar is installed over it. After piping and wiring are installed, concrete is poured over the rebar.
Dome homes are distinguished by their shell framework, which is a type of shell used in the construction of the home. The dome home’s unique design and engineering principles make it a popular choice for those interested in unconventional home designs.
What is the best shape for a tornado house?
Dome homes are a type of tornado-resistant house kit that use a geodesic spherical structure to divert high winds and debris, reduce wind leaking, and are energy-efficient. They can be customized to meet individual homeowners’ needs and cost around $200 per square foot. Underground homes, partially or entirely underground, have reinforced walls and sturdy roofs, and can be customized with different finishes to match the surrounding landscape. Prices start at about $150 per square foot. Selecting the best tornado-resistant home kit can be challenging, but it’s essential to consider various factors.
Can a dome home survive a tornado?
Dome homes, renowned for their energy efficiency, ease of construction, and superior resilience to hurricanes and tornadoes, are gaining popularity in regions prone to such weather events. This is attributed to their distinctive round, aerodynamic shape, which offers enhanced protection against high-velocity winds.
How much wind can a dome house withstand?
Dr. Arnold Wilson, a prominent engineer and pioneer in thin-shell technology, states that the Monolithic Dome is the most economical and strong structure for providing a safe shelter for people in areas where hurricanes and tornadoes pose a real danger. The reinforced, concrete, double-curve surface of a dome is extremely aerodynamic, and it can resist winds of 400 mph with only minor increases in materials and labor.
Conventional buildings have walls connected to foundations and roofs with specially designed connectors, while a Monolithic Dome is continuously attached throughout with steel reinforcement much in excess of that required to resist extreme wind forces.
In 2004, Mark Sigler and a television crew from MSNBC decided to “ride out” Hurricane Ivan inside the Sigler’s “Dome of a Home” in Pensacola Beach, Florida. The storm surge and rain caused five feet of water to rise underneath the dome, and Mark could hear debris crashing into the dome but did not feel any movement from the surging Gulf.
A group in Colorado built a small dome about 60 feet in diameter, 30 feet high, and 2 inches thick. After several years of use, the owners decided to sell the property, but the new owner was not interested in keeping the dome. He hired a local contractor to remove it, but the contractor failed to do so. The contractor then tried using a large front-end loader to lift the dome on the side opposite its wide entrance, but this did not work. Instead, hours of pounding on the dome made it look like a giant piece of Swiss cheese, and it took more than a week to remove the dome.
What is the lifespan of a dome?
Our dome tents are designed with galvanized Q235 steel tubes for durability and strength, with a structural lifespan of over a decade. They can handle heavy snow loads and high winds up to 75 mph. Frame pipe sizes can be customized to fit specific needs. For extreme weather conditions, our aluminum alloy frames can provide up to 20 years of service life. Our dome tents are designed for exposed sites, and the fabric is made of durable, waterproof, mildew-resistant, and flame retardant fabrics. Our 850 g/m2 block-out white PVC fabric offers UV protection, extending its life expectancy to 5 years. Our engineering team can customize the dome tent to ensure enduring structural integrity.
📹 Monolithic Dome Homes – Interior Designs & Layouts ~
Interior design ideas & layouts of Monolithic Dome homes from around the globe to get those creative juices pumping!
Oh my god, thank you so much for sharing this article – this is absolutely mind boggling and amazing what you have managed to create! Im hoping to be able to attend one of your workshops one day. This should definitely be outsourced to south america and other parts of the world for that matter, where housing is needed. Ill be sure to follow you guys, thanks again
I LOVE the idea of this style of home! Wow! Unfortunately when I started reading about “aircrete”, I discovered the reason why we don’t typically do residential builds with aircrete is because it cracks so easily. Aircrete has incredible pressure strength, but it is brittle and will crack with the annual changes in temperature as all structures expand and contract with the seasons. If you are in a tropical environment with very little seasonal change (like this home owner was in Thailand), then you’re probably in good shape. But if you build something like this in Northern California where temperature swings are huge, cracking is going to be a big issue! If you have found a way to resolve this, please post here! I would be interested in learning more for sure!
As noted, the tensile strength of the material is not very high. Perhaps it could be improved with the addition of microfiber reinforcement. The concept is somewhat similar to pumicecrete, where natural pumice, a very lightweight volcanic rock, in a pea gravel size is the primary ingredient with the concrete binding it together. It should also be noted that these types of lightweight cast concrete structures allow for a wide range of final forms, not just domes which are not for everyone. The material is also suitable for hybrid structures, where the primary loadbearing frame is of a more conventional material, e.g., reinforced concrete or steel and the panels are of aircrete. That would be a lot easier sell to obtain a building permit in many jurisdictions.
Wonderful… I remember seeing this house on net years aglo.. Its cool.. I love the air crete and the small scale equipment thing is fanastic… Im curious about whether there is reinforcing used like with ferrocement… the air crete looks very strong for the low weight…. I guess its insulative as well, with the air embedded..? Has anyone tried using the air crete in boat building.. given that it floats and all… it make a great house boat or pontoon house.. right..? considering how much land costs.. floating air crete house boats mightbe the Tiny house of the future… VEry ALvin Toefler.. lol ( as in movable home units he talked about.. )
Back in 1974, my Father and a couple of other people came up with a method of building dome structures that was even less costly than your design and that required less labor. The structures could be adapted for use as housing and/or community facilities. One of the amazing aspects of the structure was that a dome with a diameter of 12 ft. with a center height of 8 ft. could be warmed to room temperature (68 to 77° F) in a relatively short period of time, by a single 60 watt incandescent light bulb. The basic construction of the dome started with a concrete pad to which was added a wireframe dome. Upon this frame, three layers of material were sprayed using a proprietary system that resulted in a 3 in. foam core sandwiched in between two 5/8 in. layers of specially formulated concrete. Once this was completely cured, openings could then be cut out for the installation of doors and windows. This construction process was so cost-effective that when it was presented to General Yakubu Gowon, the then head of state of Nigeria, as a cost-effective way of providing public housing, medical, and educational facilities, it was immediately accepted, and contracts were signed. Unfortunately, before the project could get started, the military coup of 1975 resulted in the overthrow of Yakubu Gowon. The incoming new head of state, General Murtala Mohammed, canceled all of Yakubu Gowon’s contracts, arrested and put my Uncle in jail, who was there to oversee and manage the project, and confiscated all of the equipment associated with the project.
This is one of the few times that I saw a dome structure where the windows and doors don’t ruin the dome aesthetics. There is really no way to put a square or rectangular window or door in a dome wall and have it look good. Secondly, I”ve always wondered how one would make an operable round window. Fixed round windows are easy, but how about ones you could open? The solution I saw at 4:43. You have a bisecting mullion and the straight edge created could accept hinges for a half-moon section of window. So rather than the hinges on the perimeter, they’re in the middle. But I must admit, I’ve never seen that implemented, and to have it custom made would be anything but cheap.
Structural engineer here. Aircrete is relatively weak compared to concrete and difficult to achieve consistent R value. That being said, it is possible to build one of these homes and meet local building Codes, but it would take a testing company and engineer to certify the structure and design it so that it is structurally sound. Those fees alone could exceed the construction costs they are posting. When you take into account the lack of training and knowledge from the average builder with this, you’re not going to see these popping up in the burbs anytime soon. So in summary, not impossible, but also not realistic in both cost and ease of construction if you are trying to make it a legitimate, code compliant structure in developed temperate zone countries. Cool looking though and I applaud the creativity.
Absolutely stunning home, beautiful aesthetics but more importantly, the potential Aircrete has to revolutionize the way we design/build houses to something more sustainable and environmentally sound, tackle the homelessness crisis and enable creative expression as a form of healing too! Massive congratulations to you all for your innovation, drive, passion and commitment, thank you for the inspiration and giving us hope for the future and wishing you every success for the future. Love these..
Gorgeous but I live in the Pacific Northwest where we literally have earthquakes everyday in the area (actually more like a dozen or so). I’ve already been through a 6.8 which is not considered anywhere near the “Big One” that is expected around here. Have any of these gone through quakes anywhere? While the aircrete itself might be good, mortar is the first thing to crumble around here.
It really would be cool to have a Who Village (Is that the one in “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” That’s what I am talking about)…with winding streets and all those Who Houses. I wonder how many people would actually want to live there and buy into it? I always loved the Berenstain Bear tree house too.
Wow, what wonderful ideas. Well done!!! This is one of the nicest ideas I have seen in a long time. It kind of reminds me of a book I read by Elizabeth Klarer of how advanced beings from other star systems live in harmony with their environment and the peace and tranquillity of their homes. These dome-shaped homes remind me of her descriptions. I love these beautiful homes, I would certainly love to live in one.
Love this!!! Just what I’ve been looking for. Ever since I saw Roger Dean’s home design from the 70’s he created and I remember speaking with him in 2010 about his now ongoing efforts to create an entire development with the help of an English Architectural Firm in London, he appeared well on the way. This would have answered a key component of what they needed.
You can build a house out of almost anything for under 15k. The prohibitive costs are in permitting. etc. In many US cities, you face up to 10k in various permitting costs on a new build, even under 500 SF. Add in water & sewer connection at the site and you’re up to 15-20 k in non-materials costs :/
I love 💖💕💞 the Aircrete Dome Homes. I want one & more & will have in the future. But to say using trees to build with as a bad thing to do is wrong. Timber\\Wood is a RENEWABLE resource, RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE in logging businesses know this. Logger’s who own forest lands these days cut down trees and REPLANT them, that’s how they stay in business for generations. As long as trees produce seeds, water vaporizes in the atmosphere returning back as rain & life giving sun shines, trees\\plants will grow.
You most definitely are God sent…We humans have been our own worse enemy by destroying our own means of living. God says he is creating a new heavens & a new earth & this clearly shows in your Eco friendly beautiful dome homes. I want one! God Bless you beautiful Soul for all your hardwork & for sharing such important knowledge for building earth friendly. The simplicity but yet elegant in the way they turn out exudes such a Peaceful, Tranquility & Zen way of living! 🤞🕊🌍💓
How I wish I could have a little home like that I Never Had A Home of my own I’ve always paid rent but I’m old now but I sure would love to get one is that something you don’t and you rent out to older people I’m on Social Security please let me know please answer my text thank you. And also where do you build them
Add a short throw 4K laser projector with cool fractals (hint, hint) and you can cast some super sweet animations to the interior or exterior of each dome with perfect focus. Laser projectors (not the ones from Epson) are amazing at casting images and article onto oddly shaped surfaces without a hitch. Dang..nine grand for a complete small home or studio. I love the way this can be be built out as needed by adding new domes to the perimeter. Why I bet you can even make a fractal with these 🙂
I love, really love these homes however the air Crete seems a bit too good to be true. How many times have we been told that things are 100% safe only to find out decades later that it is EXTREMELY TOXIC (asbestos, vaccines, food additives, cigarettes, chemicals) can you share your proof of this being 100% non toxic. I’m interested in seeing tests, chemical makeup etc. then I would 100% be up for one of these beautiful homes, a few actually. They are amazing.
Was the labor really cheap in Thailand is that why it cost less than $11,000 not everybody is going to be building in Thailand. could you be a little bit more specific as to why it cost less than $11,000 and what people can expect as far as where they live being a relative realistic view on what other people might be spending to build what you built
Been looking through your website but a lot of FAQs seemed to only partially explain. Example: “Are there different methods for manufacturing AirCrete? AirCrete is commonly manufactured by two different methods. Method 1 consists of mixing a pre-formed foam into the cement and water slurry. Method 2 consists of the addition of reactive substances, which produce gas bubbles when in contact with the cement and water slurry.” Nowhere is Method 2 explained further, and no mention of it anywhere else.
I’m having trouble with the website, which makes me sad because I’m REALLY interested in what you’re sharing. This aircrete could be the solution to the problems I’ve been having with our humid air & moldy homes I’ve been constantly exposed to which has been making me sick. If you can help me, I’d really appreciate it
Hi ! Mr. 👋🤗 Wow ! FANTASTIC HOUSE ! 👍 It’s Wonderfull the Shape & it didn’t Cost Youba Lot ! 👍👍👍 CONGRATULATIONS 🎈🥇🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🎉 For ALL ! The Deiegn ! The Conception ! Everything ! Also Yo You INGENIOUS SON !👍. It’s So COZY ! 🥰🥰🤩. ..I even Send it to My Son Friend 👉 He Loves. ORANGE COLOR ! .Not Me ! I Love WHITE HOUSE With Black metal around the Windows & Doors ! that’s Fun You can Lay down Right a frint your Windows ! 👍. I JUST. LOVE IT ! 👍 From Downtown Montreal ⚜️🇨🇦👋👋🤗 🤩🥰💞💞💞
…hajjar, I just tweeted this vid to elon musk…he needs housing in texas…these would be an inspiration for the world to see how ingenuity can meet human need!!…and they would look great on mars eventually!!….I personally would like to have a graduate of your school or your company to build me a few in puerto rico….I’ll contact you again. When I’m ready, but I think your design is perfect for the islands …🌴🐸👍
This material could help in Los Angeles where they are planning on building many 1 room houses for the homeless. Reminds me of when President Jimmy Carter was making poured wall housing for the poor. Someone needs to push this project and try to build many of these houses before it effects the building industry with it’s many jobs, designers, carpenters, painters, electricians, mason the list goes on… Part of the new reset mania that is effecting all of the earth…
My only concern is if we have a plasma event( or DEWs being used to depopulate an area)… the steel reinforcement would be affected, perhaps not burning the building, but possibly turning it into an oven. If the California fires were any indication, then non-natural events take place & I would just as soon be prepared for them. Perhaps some type of structure which does not contain any metal at all would be the surest way to get around that type of event.
I have been wanting one of these homes for the longest time. Well before this new andxawsome home came to be. The area I live in, in N Cali is not too friendly to tiny homes ordered to home builds. Not really sure why other than being very ignorant. Seems like a win win for everyone to me. If only things where so simple. I love that word too ” simple” I’m 62 and on a limited income and widowed also. Does anyone out there have more info about actually starting a home? Kind if step by step sort if thing. It’s possible that I could come up with a piece of land either here or in the Austin. TX area. I have sons there that could help with the building part. In would have to have 2 bedrooms due to the fact I have a room mate and we help each other. Since we sort of have a pact that we would be there for each other the rest if our lives . Neither one of us had things so great in life. But life must go on right? In will never be a victim again. OK so enough rambling here. I’d live to see if there is sort of a step by step guide and are there different floor plans and the actual cost and what comes with that cost. I’m VERY new at this. I have never owned a place if my own. I hope to hear from someone anyone soon. Thanks so much and In will always keep my dream alive✌
This is just perfect I cone from a cold climate tasmanian in australia can u tell me what heating would be good for these great homes and also can I get this in australia this is perfect for us to build for our family as we have the room for a few homes. Thankyou to ur very smart son as mum myself I can only imagine how proud u r of joel I don’t know u mate but I’m proud for ur makers as u r a very smart young man u can only come from great parents that totally believe in u well done 💯❤️❤️❤️
Generally speaking, most people who need homes at the cost you imply wouldn’t have the capability of following the building plan. When creating something of such magnitude, why not create a way to get it to people that need it the most. That would mean that you would supply either the training to build or the labor for cost or both.
Aircrete is definitely not waterproof.It is somewhat water resistants even when autoclaved.and don’t believe the article of that guy smashing the block with a sledgehammer, especially if you are mixing it yourself without autoclave. I have worked with the stuff Downsides that I can see right off the bat: far less earthquake resistant than most domes. Size limited. At first glance looks Incredible, but is just ok. I would like to see a detailed breakdown of components and proportion contributes to final cost given this was built in a country with very cheap labor. Could end up costing triple in a country with pricy labor.
If you haven’t already started a school to teach others to create these houses I think you should because this would be perfect for a new way of life, for all mankind we are so overpopulated and this would be perfect to help us all down size and surely help with the major poverty problem we are having
I have property, leased to me, on Mindanao, Misamis Occidental province. I wanted earth bag but possible floods will wash they away. The second issue is typhoons and high winds on my hillside portion. I want to buy the equipment to build this stuff. I have access to Lauan plywood and bamboo out your nostrils. I’ll need a generator and some power tools but I have the mechanic tools required. Hook a believer up. I have a village to rebuild on raise concrete blocks. I could do this. As always, thanks for sharing. I believe that I could do this with the village cooperation in the construction as it will be their homes.
I think this idea is excellent for the African continent. My first concern is that during the rainy season can it withstand flooding areas? But I’m sure there’s a way to overcome that problem. My other concern is that there’s no one there with the skills to build them and what would be the cost for the average person living there? Are you willing to train?
My biggest concern is insulation,heating, water resistance and the design in areas like where I’m at needs to be able to survive cold and freezing conditions. If it can accomplish these task just as good as the conventional timber framed house, then it is indeed environmentally, economically and reliably better than the conventional timber framed home, I like the idea, I do but I want solid evidence.
As a designer and visual artist I was involved in the 70s in NYC designing around concepts of ocean, land, and space structures..it should still be valid now or in the future. The materials and the construction technologies were not around at that time..let’s end with square boxes, this is the future..
This is great. In the next 4 – 6 yrs I am looking to pay no rent ir extremely low rent with having extremely low maintenance on my living space for I will be retiring at that time. Where can these place in the Uinted States or Overseas these can be built at? Also how can the home can be powered up on a low fixed income?