Q. Why Dome Buildings?
Because the concept of a dome dwelling is more logical and practical than a conventional rectangular building.
If only the answer was that simple! After nearly a decade of trial and error, intensive testing, research, development and old fashioned “sweat off your brow” hard work, we are proud of our ability to demonstrate Domeshells superior features.
In practical terms Domeshells can be made to withstand;
- category 5 Cyclone.
- hail the size of baseballs.
- earthquakes
- flooding over the roof
- bush fire (BCA testing pending)
- extreme heat and cold
They are;
- more energy efficient (Aust R value = R3 or 97% efficient).
- 100% termite proof.
- are vermin proof.
- require less maintenance.
- are faster to construct.
- cost effective buildings.
- versatile & adaptable
- insulate against noise.
- leak proof.
- spacious self supporting structures.
- natural round shape.
- environmentally efficient – (no timber or steel used in construction and a fraction of cement).
If only they were Domeshells.
Recent earthquakes hailstorms, winds, flood and fire have caused millions of dollars worth of damage to homes and devastated peoples lives calling for more resilient construction techniques.
Old Cliche Number 1 – “Don’t cut corners”
This has always been a worthy sentiment, but now, one that is perhaps in need of revision; because we at Domeshells have done just that, demonstrably and without any of the implied disadvantages.
Old Cliche Number 2 – “Think outside of the square”
Yes, it’s is a cliche, but ultimately worthy of use in this instance because; while you’re relaxing in your new Domeshell home, you might also contemplate what it was like to clean out the gutters.
Old Cliche Number 3 – “There’s always a catch”
At Domeshells, we would respectfully like to re-define this adage to, “there is no catch”. Domeshells are BCA Compliant, meaning our buildings fully meet the Standards of the Building Code of Australia. Domeshells are also 100% First Home Builders Grant (FHBG) eligible.
Old Cliche Number 4 – “You can’t fit a square peg in a round hole”.
A common critique of our designs is that conventional furniture might not fit so well in a round building. Well, it does, it’s a misconception and what is much more interesting is that you have the opportunity to be infinitely creative and we can help you. Ask anyone who lives in a dome house and they are likely to tell you that they would never go back to living in a square box if they could help it.
The space inside a dome is all encompassing and works in a natural and harmonious way. Of course you have to think outside of the square. Domeshells is for people who are looking to get out of the square, who are looking for real alternatives to the status quo.
Got A Question
Ask Us Here – and we will get back to you. The Domeshells team is open, approachable and transparent. We are a collection of real people, dedicated to the task of quantum leaping the way we humans settle within our landscapes. For an informal chat call:+61 2 66805500
DIY “Garden Room” Dome
Are there any Dome Builders in Tasmania? Have you built any of these homes in Tasmania?
Stefan,
No domes built in Tasmania and no dome builders, yet. I am very happy to train builders and people interested through at one of our courses.
The kind of builder who might be interested will have a bit of pioneer in him because it’s a whole different way of building.
Do you have a project in mind? I really like to get people together and teach them to build the small domes.
Chris
ps. had a look at your interesting website
asked this question on your facebook page.
1. Can this dome be placed underwater. 2. Can 3 or more be linked together and attached to the ocean or lake floor? link a underwater bunker?
Just thinking outside the house
thanks for your assistance
julia roman
We have the ability to engineer/design and build domes and other shapes of shell structures that could be submerged – and several could be linked together to form a pod – above ground, underground or under water. We have some understandings of the issues of underwater structures.
What do you have in mind?
Hi Charmaine,I assume you are wondering about the materials used from a health risk point of view.The materials comprise a polyurethane (spray) foam core. The application of the foam takes place inside the air-form and during it’s application gives off toxic fumes. Because of the enclosed environment the applicator wears an appropriate air filtration mask or better still outside supplied air.From our research and understanding once the polyurethane is fully cured (approx. 2 hrs) there is no off-gassing. Polyurethane foam is used extensively in many countries for insulation of houses because of its superior efficiency, where it is sprayed into the stud cavity. Domeshells encases the polyurethane between the two layers of GRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete). It acts in both a structural and thermal way.The fiber reinforcement in the concrete is an alkaline resistant glass fiber which is a type of fiber glass that has been treated to to withstand the alkalinity of the cement which causes normal glass fibers to disintegrate. These fibers are delivered chopped to about 25mm in length and mix with the render. Any building process has some health and safety risks which are controlled by WPH S regulations.There are no specific health risks from the structure that I am aware.Realistically, in Australia a completely fitted out domeshells home will cost approx. $2000 per m2 depending on inclusions and standard of fittings and finish.Our indicative pricing is generally for the bare shells which include the slab and completed shell structure with windows and doors not anything else.For a range of smaller apartments (granny flats) up to 60m2) we have indicative pricing which includes the internal fit-out, kitchen, bathroom, partitions and services etc.
We engineer/design and build domes and other shapes of shell structures that could be submerged and several could be linked together to form a pod above ground, underground or under water. We have some understandings of the issues of underwater structures.What do you have in mind?
Are your domeshells completely health risk free?
Are there any display centres in Victoria ? I would really like to have a look.
How much would a 30sqare home cost?
Are kitchens,bathrooms and laundries included in your pricing?
Hi Charmaine,
I assume you are wondering about the materials used from a health risk point of view.
The materials comprise a polyurethane (spray) foam core. The application of the foam takes place inside the air-form and during it’s application gives off toxic fumes. Because of the enclosed environment the applicator wears an appropriate air filtration mask or better still outside supplied air.
From our research and understanding once the polyurethane is fully cured (approx. 2 hrs) there is no off-gassing. Polyurethane foam is used extensively in many countries for insulation of houses because of its superior efficiency, where it is sprayed into the stud cavity.
Domeshells encases the polyurethane between the two layers of GRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete). It acts in both a structural and thermal way.
The fiber reinforcement in the concrete is an alkaline resistant glass fiber which is a type of fiber glass that has been treated to to withstand the alkalinity of the cement which causes normal glass fibers to disintegrate. These fibers are delivered chopped to about 25mm in length and mix with the render. Any building process has some health and safety risks which are controlled by WPH&S regulations.
There are no specific health risks from the structure that I am aware.
Realistically, in Australia a completely fitted out domeshells home will cost approx. $2000 per m2 depending on inclusions and standard of fittings and finish.
Our indicative pricing is generally for the bare shells which include the slab and completed shell structure with windows and doors – not anything else.
For a range of smaller apartments (granny flats) up to 60m2) we have indicative pricing which includes the internal fit-out, kitchen, bathroom, partitions and services etc. prices here
Hello,Wonderful picture. Shared it with my wife, she was aqleluy taken in.My wife and I are about to undertake conversion of our 36 104 foot, curved roof, laminated beam barn into our house. We will leave the laminated beams exposed inside. We will apply 3 of SPF on the roof once all windows and doors are in, and will continue spraying down to below grade. How far below grade did you spray? Did you spray foam on the ground before you poured the foundation?We are in SW Wisconsin, more than a few miles from you. Our finished product will look much like yours, monolithic SPF, but not a concrete structure.Any words of wisdom to share, what to be sure we do, what to be sure we DON’T do?Sincerely,Hank and Heidi
These homes can be buried in the ground or bermed with little changes made to the construction. Above ground they’re much more efficient than most other dwellings and cost the same as comparable custom stick built homes. I was in one in the middle of a Texas heat wave. With the outside being above 100 degrees the insides was cool (below 74). It was being cooled by 2 4000 BTU wall AC units.
hello,
this domeshell concept (and your execution) looks great!..
but there is one important thing that never is brought up,
and that is .. does all the sprays and chemicals used leave an ‘odour’ in the home?
although i’m sure the outside is sprayed with some kind of heavy duty protectant coating..
what about the inside? can you sit inside and not notice anything ‘off’ odour-wise? or is there some kind of plastic-y chemical-y odour present from all the sprays?
(again, i’m aware it would smell immediately upon spraying, but i mean during ‘normal’ use months after being constructed..)
‘normal’ house materials are relatively inert (drywall etc) after construction, so basically how are the domeshell materials compared?
thank you for your time, and also,
can you build these in jamaica? canada, or in the southern americas?
thanks again
Claude,
Good question – thank you.
As a builder for most of my working life I have noticed that every material has its own distinct odor and that during construction these odors are apparent.
Its the same with a Domeshell. Domeshells “glass fiber reinforced concrete” mixture (DynaCrete) is predominantly sand and portland cement together with admixtures including a polymer and glass fibers. Fresh concrete and some of the admixtures have a distinct smell which is particularly apparent during the curing period of the concrete.
The other main material in the fabrication of a domeshell is polyurethane spray foam. The foam is formed when two liquid components (A&B) are mixed at the spray nozzle. The blended chemical form an immediate chemical reaction and the chemicals which are sprayed against the surface as a liquid immediately begin to expand many times the liquid film thickness. Within about two minutes the chemical reaction is substantially complete and withn about a couple of hours is fully complete. During the polyurethane spray process it is necessary to wear protective breathing equipment such as an air supplied hood or an A2 organic filter cartridge.
Once the PU foam is fully cured and it is not exposed to UV, any off-gassing stops.
The construction of a domeshell can be hard work and dusty at times and exhibits various odors through the construction process.
Once the construction process is complete the external shell can be painted. In Australia this paint system is usually a high quality elastomeric acrylic paint. Internally the paints commonly used are acrylic house paints.
The quality and type of paint are probably the most important in terms of any residual odor and many people today are using non toxic paint systems particularly internally.
Brand new homes of most building types will have an initial “new house” smell in the same way a new car has a new car smell.
The issue of possible off-gassing from the PU foam was investigated early in the development of our building system and we are satisfied that particularly as the PU foam is totally encased by the GRC structural skins there is no issue.
I am satisfied that all the materials we use, once they are cured within the composite they are designed for pose no issues regarding on-going odors.
We will soon be looking at engineering and freeze/thaw issues for ultra cold climates like Canada as we are experiencing strong interest from Canada and will be working towards getting Domeshells established there. Thermally Domeshells are extremely efficient for heat or cold.
I am looking forward to seeing Domeshells being built all over the world. We are very confident of our engineering capability and ability to meet any performance specification.
Chris Brown