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SassafrasWilds
Geodesic Domehome
These plans were first posted in December last year. Several changes have been made since then.
See also: With much thanks to everyone I plagiarized "starter images" from! |
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Digitally altered photo (above) of "main entrance" (northeast face). Please note: this image is "representative" of what we envision. We want to use "log siding" for all the vertical faces, we want the style of windows and doors shown, and we want a "light colored" ferro-cement "roof and exterior" -- except on top of the cupola, which will probably be conventional shingles. Our construction technique would start by erecting a geodesic skeleton (framed with 2" x 6", using the Good Karma "tight fit" (hubless) assembly method to construct an "unsheathed" framework which will be overlaid with some type of wire mesh and then ferrocement will be sprayed on.
We have chosen this approach after investigating a number of alternative options because it seems to us to be (a) the most durable and easy to maintain, (b) the simplest way of completing the entire outside envelope of the dwelling (from below ground to cupola) in one felled swoop, (c) the most resistant to damage (ie: inclement weather, earth quakes, termites, etc.), (d) the easiest to insulate, and (d) the simplest to work with as far as being able to attach interior walls and floors to the framing structure in just about any arrangement we desire. Also, we really like the aesthetic fluidity of the smooth "sculptured" shell. Also, our floorplans (pictured below) call for a 5/8 dome measuring 50' at the hemisphere, but we may use some variation of this, such as setting the 50' hemisphere on top of an 8' riser wall (foundation), which would increase the diameter of the bottom ("dormitory") level to 50'. However half the height (4') of the dormitory level would be below grade (aka: "earth sheltered" or "birmed"). |
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Side view cross section
(below) showing diameters at respective heights (in blue) and
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The Dormitory Level (below) is the bottom level. The exterior walls of this level will be birmed to a depth of 4' on all sides. A 5-burner infrared radiant gas heater (or "gas log") will be the primary heat source for this level. An electrically powered "heat recovery and recirculation system," (involving all levels of the home) will optimize energy efficiency, but not be required to heat or cool the home in the event of electrical outage.
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The Main Level (below) is elevated roughly 4' above ground level. This level also has a gas heater. A woodburner is installed on this level as a back-up to the gas heater system.
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Loft Level (below) will eventually be finished as a 1-bedroom apartment.
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Cupola Level (below) has a "cat walk" (wire mesh) type floor. Floor must enable easy access to cupola windows and drapes while at the same time allowing light and air free passage to levels below. Spiral Staircase is also made of "open and airy" metal.
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Comments to: bewise@hypertech.net |
At
right: This is the type of dirt (where dirt can be found) typical to
our geographic area, and the layer of dirt over bedrock can be less than
two inches thick. This fact has played a big role in our choice of
building plans and construction technology.
