Monolithic Dome Houses

Hundreds of domed residences have been built around the world. They range from 300-square-foot (28-square-meter) rental units to million dollar luxury houses. There are even a few underground.

Homeowners' reasons for selecting this building technology are similar to those of commercial builders: energy-efficiency, safety, and durability.

A new type of structure, known as the Orion, combines the strength and integrity of a monolithic dome with the convenience and more conventional (round-in-plan but vertical) exterior walls (Fig. 5.12). These walls are created with plywood panels topped with a 12-inch (30 centimeter) ledge on which the airform is secured for otherwise typical dome construction.

Figure 5.12 - The Orion - a single-family house built with the monolithic dome technology

 

The first Orion has 2,400 square feet (223 square meters) of living area on two floors. Its creators envision entire subdivisions of such structures.