Domes: They're Not Just for Hippies Anymore, Part 7

Many domes became popular during the 1960’s and 1970’s because people who disagreed with the traditional way of building homes could build dome houses inexpensively. Thus, domes acquired a stigma in association with counterculture groups. Dome houses and structures are not easily seen by the roadside because many residential domes are built in secluded areas.

Now, domes are built for all social classes and also for institutional purposes. The University of Connecticut’s School of Business is a large circular building, topped by a huge geodesic dome. Domes are also extensively used in industry to house liquids and grains, due to their efficient and economic design. Some industrial domes are used to hold mining ore. (Geometrica, Inc.)

Geodesic domes are not just buildings for hippies. They are strong, versatile, efficient and beautiful structures that can be used to shelter families, schools, churches or industrial materials. They can be built all over the world in the most hostile of climates, with the labor done by the layman. Domes should certainly be used for housing starts as well as for rebuilding of structures that collapsed due to natural disasters.

Reference:
For more information on Geometrica, Inc., see: http://www.geometrica.com/Bulk_Storage/Pile_shape/Irregular/Geodesic_Dome_Free.htm

Obtaining a Loan, Permit, Mortgage or a Better Interest Rate, Part 6

Most housing starts are built in the traditional “stick” style, as factory built or modular housing, based on the traditional rectangular paradigm. People like to build what is familiar, traditional and nostalgic. Many home buyers and builders tend to use styles which ensure ease in obtaining a loan or building permit.

Many banks are selling mortgages for dome houses and facilities such as churches and holding tanks. However, some banks will not sell mortgages for dome houses because they fear that the house will not re-sell in the future. For ease in building domes, some web sites give advice on obtaining loans, permits and mortgages.

One benefit of a dome home is that its energy efficiency can help in obtaining a lower monthly interest payment by obtaining more lenient qualifying standards. Simple dome houses can even be financed as the project progresses, as an out-of-the-pocket expense. (American Ingenuity, Inc.)

Reference:
For more information on American Ingenuity see

http://www.aidomes.com/

The Versatility of Domes, Part 5

Should Builders Rebuild Traditionally or Rebuild to Prevent Future Destruction?

Although domes constitute a mere percentage of buildings, domes are beautiful and versatile. Dome interiors are spacious. With a dome home, residents can easily have vaulted ceilings and unobstructed large spaces without having load-bearing walls and pillars. Such amenities in standard structures are very expensive. Due to their modular nature, domes can be easily be enlarged with additions. A collection of several domes can be connected with enclosed walkways, to make a housing complex.

Dome houses, churches and warehouses are used in various geographical areas of the world. Dome houses are built in the tropics, in mountain areas such as in the Rockies or in cold climates such as in Alaska. Dome houses exist in Florida, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Northeast United States and on other continents. Domes are sold from the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia.

Dome Buildings are Cost Efficient, Part 4

Should Builders Rebuild Traditionally or Rebuild to Prevent Future Destruction?

Another reason to build with a dome design is that domes are very cost efficient, considering their energy efficiency, longevity, lack of roofing problems, low maintenance costs, integral strength and versatility in design.

Concrete domes run a bit more than custom built houses of similar quality and finish. However, given the durability, strength and energy efficiency, the dome building costs less in the long run. A buyer can build a simple one-bedroom, two floor dome house for as little as $80,000 or a luxury home for $400,000 or more. The luxury home can have skylights, cupolas, dormers, garages and high profile entryways. Dome plans are readily available from sellers on the Internet. There are dozens of dome factories and middlemen selling dome houses in the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia. Many Web sites boast that their plans are simple enough for the layman to build.

Some factories will even send a project manager to oversee the construction. Small dome houses do not even need special equipment for construction. (Environmental Directory, EcoBusiness Links)

Reference:

monolithic.com/

ecobusinesslinks.com/dome_homes.htm/

Concrete Domes:Fire-Resistance, Hurricane and Earthquake Proof , Part 3

Housing, Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Dome Buildings
Should Builders Rebuild Traditionally or Rebuild to Prevent Future Destruction?

Reinforced concrete domes can withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, falling trees, snow loads and wind loads. (American Ingenuity, Inc.)

The surface area of a dome is one third less than that of a standard rectangular building. The outside walls of domes are also reduced in comparison to rectangular structures. The reduction of surface area and the use of uninterrupted insulation saves more than 50 percent in heating and cooling expenses that are measured in EPA Energy Star ratings.

Reinforced concrete domes can withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, falling trees, snow loads and wind loads. (American Ingenuity, Inc.)

Contrary to the volatility of wood structures, called “stick-built” houses, concrete domes are fireproof. Since hundreds of traditional homes have been burned during forest fires of California in recent years, the concept of making homes more fireproof during the building phase is essential to their preservation.

Reference:
For more information on American Ingenuity see

http://www.aidomes.com//

Domes are Stronger than Traditional Wood Buildings, Part 2

Should Builders Rebuild Traditionally or Rebuild to Prevent Future Destruction?

Traditional square stick built style houses and mobile homes are structurally weak. They collapse under the stress of hurricanes and earthquakes. Roofs of houses and hospitals are torn off during storms. Considering the above, it is easy to understand that structures such as houses and larger buildings should be built with domes. (Reuters Airwise News)

Geodesic dome structures are built upon a design based on triangular elements that are stronger than other designs, such as the traditional rectangular structure. The triangle is the strongest structure used for building. Geodesic domes have been tested to withstand more than 200 mile per hour winds. When one attaches many triangles along their edges, the shape becomes a sphere.

Spheres are the strongest structure and are found naturally in geological formations, molecules, planets and even bubbles. Spheres enclose the most amount of space using the least amount of material. Air circulates easily in a round structure, causing much less energy consumption than with a rectangular structure. A sphere is the most wind resistant structure found in nature.

Reference:
For Reuters Airwise News see

http://news.airwise.com/stories/2004/09/1096194217.html/

Housing, Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Dome Buildings, Part 1

Should Builders Rebuild Traditionally Or Rebuild to Prevent Future Destruction?

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and fires cause extensive damage each year around the world. Houses, hospitals and institutions are destroyed. However, the use of a newer technology in building design could be used to save housing and other structures. Houses built with a concrete dome design are resistant to damage caused by tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.

On September 15, 2004, scientific researchers told Congress that the increase of temperature made by global warming leads to “stronger winds, heavier rains and larger storm surges.”
(Reuters Alertnet Foundation)

Several scientists gave testimony to the Republican-led panel, saying that the higher temperatures resulting from greenhouse gas emissions would contribute to greater extremes in weather such as flooding and changing storm patterns.

There are continuous earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault and all over the world. Several California earthquakes have been reported during September 2004. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake was reported on September 29, 2004, in Southern California, near Bakersfield. (CISN, California Integrated Seismic Network)

An increase in seismic activity was also reported on September 29, 2004, at Mt. St. Helens, Washington. (Pacific Northwest Seismic Network)

References:
For more information on global warming, see Reuters Alertnet Foundation

http://alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15154338.htm

For the California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN) see

http://www.cisn.org/special/evt.04.09.29/

For the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network see

http://www.pnsn.org/NEWS/PRESS_RELEASES/MSH_09_2004.html/