There's a Dome of a Home Going Up On Pensacola Beach!

Editors Note: FEMA Grant Awarded to Sigler Family of Pensacola Beach, Florida

Due to the flood district that exists in Escambia County, Florida, 11,000 residents of the county were mailed a letter from the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FEMA-sponsored) stating if their property had been flooded at least three times and they have had a unspecified dollar amount of damage, they were eligible to apply for a FEMA sponsored grant.

The spirit of the grant was to mitigate damage caused by the floods. The grant offered three options for applicants: 1) Demolish existing house and begin a new structure 2) FEMA buy out the property 3) Elevate the existing structure.

The Siglers went to work on their application. What started out as a 22-page application ended up being a very thick notebook containing the application and pages and pages of information about the benefits of building a Monolithic Dome in a hurricane/flood prone area. Their notebook traveled to FEMA's regional office in Atlanta, Georgia and has caught the interest of The Institute for Business and Home Safety. After quite some time, the Siglers received a letter in return stating their application had been advanced to the next stage.
The Siglers opted for replacing their original home with a Monolithic Dome. Valerie Sigler said, "We were hoping that proposing something unusual would catch their eye and it did!" The Siglers were awarded the FEMA grant which provides 75% of eligible cost. The dome shell is considered eligible costs. All remaining cost will be paid for by the Siglers. As of May 1, 2002, their Monolithic Dome has been inflated.

There's a Dome of a Home Going Up On Pensacola Beach!

by Valerie Sigler
Rendering by Bob Bissett

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Once completed, the new Florida dome will be available to rent on a weekly basis. During non-rental times, the home will be open for scheduled tours. Being able to actually live in a dome before building one is an opportunity that the Siglers would have found extremely advantageous.

Although they have toured nine domes, the Siglers would have liked to have experienced life in a dome before making the major investment of actually building one. Seeing the Eye of the Storm on Sullivan's Island was the decision maker. "That home was proof that domes could be built beautifully," said Valerie Sigler.

"We feel privileged to provide people who are curious about domes or those contemplating building a dome a chance to live in one first. We have spent so much time, effort, and energy researching this technology that we are thrilled to share the information and experience with others. It is our hope that opening our home to visitors will increase awareness of the dome's advantages. At the same time, we are dedicated to building a beautiful structure whose appearance will expedite the dome's acceptance in upscale neighborhoods," The Siglers.

Before the Siglers were allowed to build the dome, they had to provide written confirmation of acceptance from their neighbors before the Santa Rosa Island Authority would approve the conceptual plans. An overwhelming 97% of neighbors and business owners were encouraging and very supportive. Having also been victims of hurricanes and rising insurance costs, the islanders were eager to learn about a structure that is built to survive the harsh beach environment.

"When we were canvassing the area, we were amazed at how many people had wanted to build domes, investigated domes, or had family and friends interested in domes. Most said they had not pursued their desire to build a dome because they did not want to conquer the opposition of the neighbors. We think the timing was opportune for introducing the dome into the beach neighborhood because of the extensive storm damage our island has received. We received excited anticipation rather than glares as we contacted our fellow islanders," said Mark Sigler.

After several years of repetitive storm damage, the Siglers applied for and were awarded a FEMA grant through the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. Because of the frequent and repetitive damage, the Siglers have been out of their residence for over 14 months.

In 1995, after Hurricanes Erin and Opal severely damaged their home, Mark began researching building techniques that would alleviate such extensive devastation. What he discovered was the Monolithic Dome. Withstanding 300+ mph winds, storm surges, termites, rising energy costs, fires, and even earthquakes, airformed concrete domes are almost indestructible. Mark knew that it would be a true sanctuary, a place to come home to -- even after a hurricane.

Having a home to return to after a hurricane would be a tremendous relief and comfort. "Knowing that the structure one calls home can also be a sanctuary, brings a sense of peace and comfort," asserts Valerie Sigler. "Our desire is to reduce the human suffering associated with the destruction of one's home in a natural disaster. We want to cultivate and promote awareness of the superior building technologies that can alleviate unnecessary loss. Many of the new technologies are more energy efficient and environmentally benign than their predecessors. Protecting the delicate balance of the barrier island while building structures is the ultimate goal," state the Siglers.

Taking into account the pristine white beaches, the dunes, the emerald waters, and the peaceful nature of the environment, the Siglers wanted to create a home that would blend with and compliment its surroundings. Designed to be environmentally friendly with its low impact nature, the air and tension support structure can thrive in the harsh beach environment and has the ability to merge into the landscape. By utilizing the latest technologies, the Siglers hope to build an example of a structure that makes logical sense in the humid and harsh beach environment.

When visiting the island of Malta in 1999, Mark was very affected by the age of the houses there. He said, "The beautiful limestone homes were centuries old, housing generations of a family. What an incredible legacy to leave your family -- a home that has withstood the test of time; a home that is created to thrive in its environment; a home that shelters and is a refuge in the storms of life. The reality that one could build a home that embraces these ideals was right before our eyes." Although not made from Malta limestone, the concrete Airform structure could offer a home that would last for generations.

Construction of the Monolithic Dome began in March 2002. Bob Bissett is the genius designer who educated the Siglers about the newest technologies and also drew the construction documents.

The Siglers welcome a home that is designed to welcome them after the hurricanes have dissipated. And they invite you to visit their home during a truly unique vacation experience. Rental information can be attained by:

Contacting the Siglers through their e-mail found on Dome of a Home website
Contacting the Siglers by phone: 850-982-0093 or 850-932-5170
Contacting the property managers at Paradise Beach homes at 888-860-0067 or 850-932-0067 or at Paradise Beach Homes. Mention that you found the information on the "dome of a home" or MDI website and receive a $100 discount.

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