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Thread: Geodesic Dome Houses

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    Default Geodesic Dome Houses

    On another mb, someone posted about his house, built from a kit he purchased from the following site, although there must be several others sites that sell similar kits

    http://www.aidomes.com


    The caveat here is, because he has already retired, he mentioned something about living out int the boonies somewhere. Still, this looks like an interesting way to save money on a home purchase, provided you can find some raw land at a reasonable price. Not to mention sub-contracting costs. And you'd also have to have some tolerant neighbors, or live out in the boonies yourself!

  2. #2
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Geodesic Dome Houses

    There was one of these by the river worksite I went to as a wildlife tech. I saw it often enough to judge it not bad looking at all. (Certainly a better idea than the sh*tbox wood frame ranch houses that dot the Southwestern landscape.)
    (Hee hee, speaking of neighbors & eyesores, check today's page for a guy who installed a window in the shape of a hand giving the bird to a bitchy neighbor.)

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    Default Re: Geodesic Dome Houses

    I love 'alternative housing'.

    I don't know that I'd necessarily do the geodsic dome thing, but we have some pretty killer pre-fab log home companies here- similar idea, you put it together yourself, and they're generally very modestly-sized (a quality I love in a home).

    Feature costumes for sale!

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    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Geodesic Dome Houses

    I have thought about buying one of these myself!

  5. #5
    Jay Zeno
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    Default Re: Geodesic Dome Houses

    Without looking at the link, I'd often thought about one myself. However, at the time when I researched them, they didn't have the greatest track record. The joints made roofing chancey, and if the wood frame started warping, it would create some special problems.

    A geodesic dome is a wonderful piece of architecture, and if Mr. Fuller never did anything else, he should be proud of that one. But there are furniture, wall hangings, and other things about a round house, rounded walls, and nonlinear joints that we're not used to.

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    Default Re: Geodesic Dome Houses

    oops I mistakenly zapped this post while trying to add a new post - sorry (Mel).
    Last edited by Melonie; 08-17-2006 at 03:24 AM.

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    Default Re: Geodesic Dome Houses

    I've been researching a dome for a slightly different purpose ... to act as a greenhouse so that I can take advantage of an 8-9 month growing season in Northern NY rather than the 4 months I typically get now ...



    PS I don't see why a Jacuzzi wouldn't work even better than the thermal storage water tank !!!

    PPS I have also considered two small domes connected together ... one for growing and one for 'playing'. However, my son reminded me that having two 12 ft diameter domes touching each other in the middle sitting in my yard would only serve to remind the entire neighborhood just who they belong to LOL ! I can just see some April 1st I'll walk outside and find two canvasses strapped over the top of them like a 440 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDD bra !

    there is something almost 'magical' about domes though.

    .



    On the practical side, by the laws of physics a dome has less surface area exposed to the sun, wind etc. than any conventional shaped building. This translates into a big automatic reduction in heating and cooling costs, since heat transfer in both directions is tied to surface area. This also translates into lower materials cost when buying and constructing the dome in the first place !

    Also, about the question of leaks, the polycarbonate sheeting that is typically used for translucent roof panels has been used in commercial and industrial applications for quite a long time now. All you have to do is nail/screw it down tight against a rubber gasket behind it and it seals better than shingles.

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