Fall,
2000
Reprinted from the Monolithic
Dome Roundup, Fall 2000 Issue
[ The First Monolithic Dome Town | Faith
Chapel | Seventh-day
Adventist Church
Media Coverage | ACI
new Vice Chairman | Dome Technology | Future
Dome Corporation | A Constant State of Change
A
Retirement Nest in Canada | Living Word Bible Church
| A Home to Last for Generations ]
The First Monolithic Dome Town
A futuristic Monolithic Dome town could be just a few months away. Eric Engstrom, Christopher Phillips and Swain Porter, co-founders of Catalytic Software Inc., Kirkland, Washington, recently chose the Monolithic Dome as their primary source of housing and facilities for their new company town in India. This town will be built, literally, starting from the ground up.
Earlier this year, Catalytic sent several investors and employees to MDI to learn the dome building process. Monolithic Constructors then agreed to oversee the construction of the first of each large dome-type built in India.
Named New Oroville and encompassing one square kilometer, this company town will be located approximately fifteen miles from Hyderabad, India. More than 4,000 domes will provide housing for employees and their families, offices, shops, a temple, mosque and church. In addition, four large entertainment complexes will include an ice arena, Olympic-size swimming pool, gymnasium with a climbing rock, aerobics, yoga and squash facilities, tennis courts and a fitness center.
Phase one of New Oroville breaks ground in three months. Within eighteen months, one large office dome and about thirty residential EcoShells should be completed.
Faith Chapel Christian Center, Birmingham, Alabama
Architect Rick Crandall reports that Dome Technology of Idaho Falls, Idaho has completed shell construction of this giant Monolithic Dome church facility, measuring 280' x 72', encompassing an area of 61,575 square feet and seating in the sanctuary for 3000. "They're doing just fine," Crandall said. "They're taking their time and doing a good job. It looks real good." MDI president David South added, "This project is generating a lot of interest. A dome of this size makes a great arena or stadium for just about any sport or indoor activity you can imagine -- anything from football to rodeo." (Roundup Journal, Summer 2000, p. 15)
Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pell City, Alabama
Larry Byrne, MDI vice president of marketing and design, continues working with church members on their new facility: two interconnected Monolithic Domes, each 38' in diameter, in the Gemini style (Dome Living, p. 71)
John Reitmeier, host of the popular radio show Afternoon Magazine on KCNN 15.90 in Crookston, Minnesota did an on-the-air interview with David South in July. Reitmeier talked with David about his new book Dome Living and about the growing national interest in Monolithic Dome schools.
Brian Brinkerhoff recently traveled from Utah to MDI's headquarters in Italy, Texas to do a one-hour, on-site, live interview with David South for his radio program Back Country Utah, KTKK 630. Most of Brinkerhoff's questions focused on Monolithic Dome homes, especially their safety and durability.
American Concrete International appoints new Vice Chairman for thin shell Committee
American Concrete International and the American Society of Civil Engineers sponsor a committee devoted to thin shell structures -- Committee 334. David B. South was recently appointed Vice Chairman of Committee 334. This committee establishes the rules for the construction of thin shells. In addition, it promotes the use of thin shells. For the past five years, Committee 334 has been quite inactive, so one of David's main objectives is locating thin shell concrete domes built in the past 10 years that are not Monolithic Domes. These buildings could be curved, hyperbolic paraboloids or ellipses that may have been poured in place over large dirt forms, put together in sections or formed in place. If anyone knows of any such structure and can share details, please contact David at president@monolithic.com or call MDI."
Dome Technology of Idaho Falls, Idaho traveled abroad to build several large Monolithic Domes for the following bulk storage facilities:
- Two domes measuring 144' x 77' each for cement storage for Hawaiian Cement in Kapolie, Hawaii.
- Two domes measuring 253' x 125' each-- 40,000 metric ton capacity for Hovensa, a coke storage facility in St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Four chemical storage domes measuring 131' x 75.5' each in Tallinn, Estonia.
Future Dome Corporation in Cedar Hill, Texas
Maurice Dubois president of Future Dome Corporation in Cedar Hill, Texas witnessed the inflation of his fifth dome in July-- a 50- foot diameter dome built for Stephanie Smith in Melissa, Texas. Her home, set in a valley on approximately three acres, will feature 2500 square feet with a small loft area. Maurice said, "My main goal is to have Stephanie happy with her dome. I want to allow enough time and attention to each client and each house. I am currently working on design for a 60-foot home."
"Our building plans are constantly changing. We are on a pay-as-you-go budget," Donna Kinsey said of their Monolithic Dome home. "Our progress is slower than we would like."
In 1999, David and Donna Kinsey purchased a Monoquad for equipment storage on their acre in Weatherford, Texas. They then completed two 20-foot domes: a laundry facility and an office. Now they are planning four interconnected 20-foot domes and a 28-foot Orion.
The Kinseys have faced much opposition in building domes on their property. Disgruntled neighbors continually report them to city officials for not conforming to land restrictions that require structures of 50 percent masonry and 1200 square feet. Donna explained that the domes do comply, but many neighbors are frustrated with the expansion in the area.
In 1995, Paul and Susi Dubenski started planning a retirement home when they discovered an ad for domes in the Mother Earth News. After learning all they could through literature and videos, Paul attended a Monolithic Dome Builders Workshop. They knew then that a Monolithic Dome retirement nest was definitely for them. They were both impressed with the unique concept, "We like the fire proof capability and all the economic factors that a dome offers," Paul said.
Now, fully retired, Paul and Susi are fin ished with the planning, and construction is underway on their 40-foot diameter, 2 bedroom home on the bank of the Winnipeg River in Kenora, Ontario. The south side of the dome faces the river and offers a beautiful view through five, large, garden doors. "It will not only have a great view," Paul exclaims, "but the fishing is great!" Since Paul is building the dome by himself, his projected completion date isn't until January 2001. We will follow and report his progress.
Living Word Bible Church, Phoenix, Arizona
At press
time, Dome Technology had inflated two of the three domes, 150' each,
at this church project, and was preparing to inflate the third. Crandall
said that the construction was progressing well and according to plan.
A Home to Last for Generations
Mark Henrikson and his family are creating a three-generation household in their 84-foot diameter dome in Yuma, Arizona. The home will provide three floors, containing more than 11,000 square feet and an atrium filled with trees and natural light. The interior will offer eight suites -- each with at least one bedroom, a bathroom, sitting room and plenty of closet space. An oversized kitchen with two dishwashers, two sinks and two refrigerators will accommodate its nine residents. The attached metal barn serves as a workshop, storage, garage and cabinet shop.
Mark Henrikson and his brother-in-law Tim Williams performed the less technical work on the dome while contractor Chris Hengl did most of the labor. Mark loves the idea of a permanent home for his entire family. He said, "Everyone designed their own suite. We made a lot of changes, but in the end it was worth it. This house will last for a hundred years, not a decade or two. So we really want to do it right." The move-in date is unknown at this point. As Mark puts it, "No sooner than tomorrow and before forever. We are hoping to be into the first floor by the end of the year."
Mark frequently posts questions, answers and updates on MDI's domebuilders' bulletin board bbs.monolithic.com. You can also follow the progress and view pictures of their dome by visiting their website at www.yumadome.com.
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