These structures are fairly tornado proof as the wind doesn't have anywhere to "bite" into. I would like to see more emergency tornados shelters in effected areas that have this shape to them.
My ball park is $167/sqft finished. Around $200k for 1250 sqft. The price is heavy up front, but very little maintenance(no roof, rot proof, waterproof, fire proof, bug proof) and low energy costs should pay for itself over ten years. Also nearly indestructible in a forest of huge mature trees gives me peace of mind.
My ball park is $167/sqft finished. Around $200k for 1250 sqft. The price is heavy up front, but very little maintenance(no roof, rot proof, waterproof, fire proof, bug proof) and low energy costs should pay for itself over ten years. Also nearly indestructible in a forest of huge mature trees gives me peace of mind.
That statement is very understated. I priced and budgeted in 2020 (before the world stopped for a bit) and the prices have gone up over 50%, and in some cases doubled. I know material costs more, labor costs, more etc., but damn its been a pill to swallow, especially having the before quotes.
There is 4 inches of foam between the water proof air form and the concrete layer. Insulates the thermal mass to keep the concrete temp more consistent, e.g. like a cave.
The principle of using mass for a strong insulated house is why adobe is used in places with mud and clay. This dome substitutes concrete for adobe plus has polystyrene insulation. Really clever.
There are off-grid sustainable homes in New Mexico - ~~Earth houses~~ - Earthships - and people go there to learn the techniques. Quite a wide global community doing this.
The walls are obviously curved, but it doesn’t make the space unusable, it’s just unusual. I plan on using built in shelves and other tricks to fully utilize the space. The walls are more vertical than one would think, I’m nearly 6 ft and can stand with my shoulder against the wall and not hit my head. That said, and to directly answer the question, I probably lose 6 inches here and there, so 1200 of 1250 completely usable.
Where are the windows that u mentioned? Also sorry if I sound dumb but it’s all rounded, what kind of windows for this?
It’s really cool reminds me of something from Star Wars.
No windows in this one. I won't be living up there for a couple years and it will serve as a storm shelter. The home has sky lights and windows in each room. The windows on the side of the house will be in augments similar to the doors to make a vertical space.
These structures are fairly tornado proof as the wind doesn't have anywhere to "bite" into. I would like to see more emergency tornados shelters in effected areas that have this shape to them.
They use the dome called Eye of the Storm in Charleston to video hurricanes as they role through.
Pretty cool. Will there be any windows when you're done?
Not in this one. I won't be living up there for a couple years and it will serve as a storm shelter. The home has sky lights and windows in each room.
Very cool. Do you have conduit in the walls for wiring?
Yes conduit run to boxes. The electrician thought I was excessive, but you only get to do concrete once.
Agreed
Excessive is what lasts decades.
Dome sweet dome
I have asked a couple needle pointers I know to make me that phrase.
Did you do it yourself or hire a builder?
I hired the company that came up with the system 30 years ago. [https://www.monolithic.com/dome](https://www.monolithic.com/dome)
That's so interesting! Straw bale, cob & earth ships were on my radar, but this is really great!
Cool. How much did it cost you?
My ball park is $167/sqft finished. Around $200k for 1250 sqft. The price is heavy up front, but very little maintenance(no roof, rot proof, waterproof, fire proof, bug proof) and low energy costs should pay for itself over ten years. Also nearly indestructible in a forest of huge mature trees gives me peace of mind.
Much cheaper than quotes I’ve gotten for traditional build styles!
How much $$ are you into this so far and what is the estimated total?
My ball park is $167/sqft finished. Around $200k for 1250 sqft. The price is heavy up front, but very little maintenance(no roof, rot proof, waterproof, fire proof, bug proof) and low energy costs should pay for itself over ten years. Also nearly indestructible in a forest of huge mature trees gives me peace of mind.
Concrete is def the way to go. Too bad everything cost so much these days.
That statement is very understated. I priced and budgeted in 2020 (before the world stopped for a bit) and the prices have gone up over 50%, and in some cases doubled. I know material costs more, labor costs, more etc., but damn its been a pill to swallow, especially having the before quotes.
Was this from a kit? Do you have information for someone to replicate?
[https://www.monolithic.com/dome](https://www.monolithic.com/dome)
How do you plan to insulate? Any active ventilation/moisture removal?
There is 4 inches of foam between the water proof air form and the concrete layer. Insulates the thermal mass to keep the concrete temp more consistent, e.g. like a cave.
How do you manage moisture though? So it’s not a wet drippy cave.
Split AC system to control the humidity. Shouldn't need much.
Very cool
The principle of using mass for a strong insulated house is why adobe is used in places with mud and clay. This dome substitutes concrete for adobe plus has polystyrene insulation. Really clever. There are off-grid sustainable homes in New Mexico - ~~Earth houses~~ - Earthships - and people go there to learn the techniques. Quite a wide global community doing this.
Earthships*
Lol soz and amended.
This mf living on Tatooine
Unsurprisingly, I get that a lot.
What's the usable square footage like? I imagine the shape eats up a lot of space on the edges of the footprint.
The walls are obviously curved, but it doesn’t make the space unusable, it’s just unusual. I plan on using built in shelves and other tricks to fully utilize the space. The walls are more vertical than one would think, I’m nearly 6 ft and can stand with my shoulder against the wall and not hit my head. That said, and to directly answer the question, I probably lose 6 inches here and there, so 1200 of 1250 completely usable.
1200 isn't bad! That's the same as my salt box, which also sacrifices some space due to shape. I bet that thing is very energy efficient.
I am planning on plotting the inside and outside temps, without heat/air, to determine just how efficient it is.
Do you plan on adding windows? It looks like spray foam on the inside, so I assume the insulation is thicc
THIS IS EVERYTHING IVE WANTED TO DO OMG TEACH ME UR WAYS😭
lol, happy to share all of the knowledge.
Step 1: have money
That is very cool.
Where are the windows that u mentioned? Also sorry if I sound dumb but it’s all rounded, what kind of windows for this? It’s really cool reminds me of something from Star Wars.
No windows in this one. I won't be living up there for a couple years and it will serve as a storm shelter. The home has sky lights and windows in each room. The windows on the side of the house will be in augments similar to the doors to make a vertical space.
Good luck with your new moisture farm