Dome Tour Attracts Hundreds -- Especially in Florida

October 28, 2005

by Freda Parker

Safe Harbor Dome

More than 500 people inspected a Monolithic Dome home in Stuart, a beachside community between Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach, Florida during the 2005 Dome Tour. Deborah Razete-Elkins and Billy Elkins, owners of this luxury Monolithic Dome with 3000 square feet of living space and an exotic Florida atmosphere, played host and answered a myriad of questions about the dome's unique features, particularly its ability to survive hurricanes. During the tour,the Elkins also raised $2000 for charity.

Cosponsored by the Monolithic Dome Institute (MDI) and the Monolithic Dome Builders Association (MDBA) and held during the weekend of October 7, this year's annual tour featured domes in 20 states and one Canadian province. It also provided dome tour hosts with an opportunity to raise funds for charity, including hurricane relief.

While the public's response varied, like the Elkins, several owners had unusually high numbers of visitors.

Don and Ali Pekofske, whose five bedroom, 50-foot diameter dome in Polo, Illinois is still in a final-finishing mode, said that they had between 400 and 500 visitors. They are looking forward to next year's tour in which they plan to participate with a completed dome.

Eula Henderson of Arlington, Kansas reported a "terrific turnout" at her 28-foot diameter Monolithic Dome, built as an one-bedroom rental unit. Eula said she had a "great crowd on Saturday" with many from Oklahoma and Missouri -- some of whom wanted to rent the dome. She plans on ordering an Airform and starting construction of an additional rental unit soon.

Nina and Bracken Cherry's 6,000-square-foot home, consisting of nine domes, attracted more than 350 visitors. Bracken said that they did not promote the tour because they were still finishing some painting. So their tour was "very informal." But they are planning a formal show -- a Dome Education Weekend that they will promote on their website www.now.net and in the media. Bracken said, "It's always fun to see the people walk up so skeptical and walk away saying they want a dome of their own."

According to Cheryl Roberts, she and Dan Wagner had approximately 50 people, including a couple from Atlanta, Georgia. Many were "seriously interested in dome living." Cheryl and Dan's home is a 32-foot diameter, southwestern style Monolithic Dome that earned a high E-Star for its efficient, energy-rated features.

Marlene and Norbert Hermes of Salina, Kansas included their 50' x 26' home with its post-and-beam construction and open design in the Dome Tour. "It was a beautiful fall day, and we accommodated more than 150 adults plus some children," Norbert reported.

Theresa and Patrick O'Dell of Harrisonville, Missouri said that while they did not have a huge crowd, their 28 visitors in 12 cars came from Indiana, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri. Their retirement home is a 40' x 16' Monolithic Dome designed with wheelchair accessibility.

2006 Dome Tour Already in Planning Stage

At Monolithic's headquarters in Italy, Texas, approximately 100 toured four homes, the office complex and Bruco, Monolithic's huge Airform factory. While a specific, overall number for the tour is not available, David B. South, president of Monolithic, estimates that several thousand visited the various dome sites during this year's Dome Tour.

"We really appreciate the cooperation and efforts of the dome owners," David said. "Without them the Dome Tour would not be possible, and it's really a worthwhile effort -- a good way to let people know that they do have choices and that safer, more energy-efficient and cost-effective homes are available."

Anne Sutherland, coordinator of Monolithic's annual Dome Tour, said that she and her crew have already started planning next year's tour. She's currently gathering feedback from this year's participants, visitors and workers. "We want comments -- good or bad -- from everyone because we want to make the 2006 tour bigger and better," Anne said.

Dome Tour Attracts Hundreds -- Especially in Florida

Related Links: