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GeoDome Construction; Efficiency and economy in construction
As we progress through the most popular category of construction methodology--panelized construction--it is essential to discuss one of the most conspicuous design types using this method--geodesic domes. One of the most unique characteristics of geodesic domes is that they can ordinarily be spotted miles away because of their shape. On a recent trip from LaCrosse to Madison, I took the road least traveled--Highway 14 rather than Interstate 90. Although the route I traveled is abundant with farms along with conventional homes, I made note of two locations with geodesic homes--Viroqua, behind the motel on the east side of town, and Mazomanie, about two miles distant on the south side of the valley, also on the east end of town. I didn’t intrude on these homeowners to view the uniqueness of their homes, but they are something we should all experience. I have been fortunate to have friends with a similar home in which the beauty and shape of the home is obscured by the thick pine forest around it. With the dark natural tones used in the trim, combined with the varying colors of the matching shingles and tan siding, it looks perfect in its setting. The spherical shape of the design aids the natural circulation of air and provides a feeling of spaciousness that is usually found only in executive homes and in large public buildings. Inside it has all the amenities you are accustomed to, with two bedrooms and two baths being the only defined rooms and the balance of the first floor having an open plan. There is a loft as well that they use as a recreational area but that could be transformed into just about any application. More than 200,000 homeowners have found happiness in their domed homes, and many of these are in areas known for severe storms. Many of these homeowners find satisfaction in knowing that their homes meet the standards of certification of the EPA and DOE Energy Star Homes program. This in itself may ease homebuyer loan qualification and interest rates. Certification may also add value to the home. The "green" nature of geodesic dome homes is that they are constructed of triangular panels, creating an energy-efficient home that maximizes living space using a minimal amount of materials. The efficient use of building materials coupled with lower operating expenses in keeping a family comfortable result in reduced costs. Since the geodesic dome also combines the sphere, the most efficient container of volume per square foot, with the tetrahedron, which provides the greatest strength for the least structural weight, the result is an ability to withstand winds of 210 mph. Although I would recommend hiring a professional contractor to build such a structure, the folks that build kits and/or provide key components will be the first to tell you that they are quick to build and have been known to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes far better than conventional buildings. Contradictory to conventional building mythology, the geodesic dome is the only structure that actually gets stronger, lighter in density and cheaper per square foot as the size of the building gets larger. Or, put in an alternate way, the cost per square foot for a 40-foot-diameter dome should be less than for one that is 30 or 35 feet in diameter. That is something to consider. Hmmm, if that the case, I wonder how much, or how little, Disney paid to build their famous geodesic dome at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center for Expo 67. Hey, that was nearly 40 years ago! Geodesic homes are available in a variety of flavors from do-it-yourself plans and kits to a finished home with all of the amenities you would ever want. Granted, if you are skilled with hand tools like a Skill Saw, drill, hammer and tape measure, you might want to build it yourself from plans or a kit. However, we would advise that you should be prepared to contend with a more complex plan than a conventional stick built home because it achieves its efficiency by using a variety of strut sizes and hubs that make up the skeleton of the structure. Then once the skeleton is up, you need to install the interior and exterior sheeting along with inserting insulation in the cavities as you go along. Conversely, if you know your limitations, or if you are on a tight schedule, you may wish to contact an experienced contractor or full-service provider who will work with you in providing you with a unique home that doesn’t look like any other in your neighborhood. In our next issue we will move on to other unique panelized homes that are a hybrid design that combines a mixture of dome homes and the conventional. Example of a dome home on the Web site of Timberline Geodesics: http://www.domehome.com/bad_3.htm Other examples can be viewed at the Web site of Natural Spaces Domes: http://www.naturalspacesdomes.com/ Both are members of the National Association of Home Builders: http://www.nahb.org
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