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Rick Crandall-- An innovative architect sold on the Monolithic Dome's versatility

by Freda Parker

Rick Crandall Rick Crandall

"It's the stretch" that's what Rick Crandall, one of Monolithic Dome Institute's consulting architects, credits for his continued interest in Monolithic Domes. The 55-year-old Arizonian recalls that in 1996 when his association with MDI first began, two factors fueled his interest in Monolithic Domes.

"I was persuaded by the good experiences I had working with David South and other architects in the first four or five projects we did," Crandall says. "But another factor was equally compelling: the stretch.

"My prevailing questions were: What can be done with this new method of construction? What can we accomplish with it? That potential stretch intrigued me then and still does," Crandall adds.

Born in Illinois but raised in New Mexico and Arizona, Crandall received his bachelor of arts degree in education and began his professional career teaching art to high school and college students. Then he began doing architectural illustrations for architects and engineers, and in 1974 he and wife Melody moved to Yuma, Arizona and a permanent career change. Crandall began working full time with architects and engineers. He says, "This is where I got my basic training in architecture. I worked with four different architectural firms before starting my own business in 1995."

Crandall first heard of Monolithic Domes in the early 1990s through a fellow architect involved in church building, who gave Crandall a video of Monolithic Domes. "But I just put it on a shelf and forgot about it," he says. "Then, at the architectural firm I was with, we learned that Payson School District in Payson, Arizona wanted a sports center, and I immediately thought how domes and sports go together.

"So I got the video and called David South," Crandall continues. "I didn't really know him, but as we exchanged information I became sold on the idea that David knew what he was talking about. The firm I was with applied for the job at Payson. We didn't get it."

Shortly after, Crandall left that firm and went on his own. Three months later, Payson called Crandall, asking if he was the guy that made a submittal on domes. "Payson told me that the current architects they were working with submitted something that was almost twice the cost of what I said I could do," Crandall says. "I thought, boy, I'm in trouble now! So I called David and got well acquainted with him. David convinced me that we could do the Payson project, duplicating the features the other architect proposed at our quoted price.

"The rest, as they say, is history," Crandall adds. "We got the project built (Roundup, Summer 1998). It came in at the price I quoted with enough money left over for a second Monolithic Dome school building in Payson."

Crandall lists Payson as the first of the three most challenging Monolithic Dome projects he has tackled so far. "Payson was the beginning of a learning curve that has not stopped," Crandall says. "Almost everything in the project was unique and different. We had questions on structure, coordination, usefulness, volume of space. There was no background, no book to go to. Thanks to David and the other pros, we came up with the necessary innovations. Since then, those innovations have led to more innovations."

A Monolithic Dome project consisting of three domes, each with a diameter of 150 feet, for Living Word Church in Mesa, Arizona is Crandall's second choice for most challenging. "Several things made this project unique," Crandall says. "It's in the midst of a highly sophisticated community that doesn't readily accept domes. Part of the challenge was the public acceptance process. But now work is very near completion on all three structures, each a different type dome: dark shell, white shell and sky shell."

The dark shell will create a sanctuary-in-the-sky effect, with everything above fourteen feet becoming invisible. The white dome will serve as gymnasium and fellowship hall, while the sky shell or children's castle dome will replicate a medieval village. "We're going through great pains to make it highly usable and practical," Crandall says. "Walt Disney would be proud of us. It's going to be an exceptionally outstanding children's church."

Crandall's third choice for most challenging is the 120-foot diameter, Multipurpose dome completed in 1997 for Little Singer School on the Navaho Reservation in Arizona.

"That was challenging for a number of reasons," Crandall says. "The area was remote, they didn't have utilities, and it was hard to get crews and equipment there. Still, that wasn't the worst of it."

"They had an Airform deflation during a critical part of the project," he adds. "That cost us time and anxiety. The deflation upset the school children, the Medicine Man and the Council. They did not want to re-inflate that Airform. I had to convince them that it would be all right. Finally, they agreed, providing the Medicine Man could re-bless the Airform and the ground. He did and once everything got back up and done everyone was very happy."

Crandall compares the slow acceptance of domes to the public's reaction to microwave ovens in the 1950s. He says, "Microwaves were practical but they weren't immediately accepted. That took the next few decades."

He sees that kind of process working with Monolithic and Crenosphere Domes. "Crenospheres are the next logical stretch in the Monolithic Dome evolution," Crandall says. "It's always logical to look for what's faster or what's bigger. I think it will be very successful because I'm satisfied that the engineering questions have been satisfied. I trust the engineers when they say the Crenosphere will do what they say it will do."

Crandall Design Group
crandalldesign.com
Phone: 480-833-3594
Email: melody@crandalldesign.com

922 N Gilbert Rd
Bldg 1 Ste 101
Mesa AZ 85203

Why a Monolithic Dome?

"More and more people are discovering that there are advantages to a Monolithic Dome -- unique features -- simply not available in traditional architecture," says architect Rick Crandall.

Initial Lower Costs - Under certain conditions, in some locales, the Monolithic Dome System has saved up to 30% over conventional construction costs. In almost every case, there's some savings if interiors are designed properly, using a radial fashion. The greatest cost savings occur in large, open assembly occupancies, such as gymnasiums, libraries, cafeterias, auditoriums, theatres, arenas, etc. Consequently, schools and colleges that could not afford a gym or indoor stadium find that they can with a Monolithic or Crenosphere Dome.

Energy Efficiency, Long Term Savings - A Monolithic Dome's inherent thermal mass and thermo-siphoning out of the ground, as well as the wall penetration resistance of the insulation produce energy savings of up to 50% over current building types. Such savings open the way to more possibilities. For example, by using a Crenosphere Dome, a hockey league can build an ice arena in a sunbelt state. If it were not a Crenosphere, maintaining a comfortable interior temperature would be too costly and unprofitable.

Low Maintenance, Long Life, No Decay - A one-piece, concrete building can last for centuries without degradation, cracking or material creep. For Monolithic Dome homeowners, low maintenance is a big plus for senior citizens, the disabled, and busy families with a minimum of time or money for maintenance.

Unique Shape, New Style - The dome is an ancient shape that's finding new acceptance. It has a unique style, encouraged and enhanced by modern construction methods.

Fireproof - Instances on record show that the concrete shell is impervious to fire and will not spread a fire or collapse from heat.

Highly Secure - The inherent strength of a Monolithic Dome's concrete walls and roof make exterior assault, bombs, bullets and burglary nearly impossible. Sky Shell - When you trowel the interior dome surface smooth and coat it with a sky blue color, it creates the illusion of an exterior sky. Below that sky, you can build mountains to climb, castles to explore or just about anything imaginable. This is a low-cost approach to a popular technique used by Disney, Las Vegas, planetariums and even modern churches.

Rotating Structure - Telescope platforms and other rotating uses, including homes, have been built within a round dome. Their use for radar housing is also an advantage.

Buried Building, Below Grade - With the Airform's resistance to moisture penetration and the concrete's resistance to compression, the Monolithic Dome lends itself to below grade construction.

Interior Hanging Strength - A Monolithic Dome's ceiling and walls can safely tolerate various hanging features, such as balconies, mezzanines, walkways, press boxes, galleries, score boards, audio and video housing, etc.

Near-Absolute Protection From Tornadoes and Hurricanes - Winds, 300 MPH and more, have little effect on the basic dome shape and because the dome is Monolithic, it will not come apart in pieces.

Remote Site, Materials Availability - Simple construction methods and locally available materials make dome construction in remote areas relatively easy and fast. Monolithic Domes have been built in all parts of the world, from the arid desert to the Arctic Circle.

Underwater - As they can be built underground, Monolithic Domes also can be built underwater.

Alternate Atmosphere - Monolithic Domes can be pressurized to vary air pressure and atmosphere, and act as biological containment vessels.

Cold Weather Building, Low Temperature - Adverse weather that often delays traditional construction has less effect on dome construction, since so much of the work occurs inside the Airform.

Round Circulation Pattern, Radial Design - In schools, round patterns eliminate the need for corridors; in theaters and churches, they provide more seating space and better visibility.

Long-span Column, Free Interiors - Long spans of up to 880 feet have already been calculated, with possibilities of extending even further.

Ancient, Traditional Shape - Various cultures want round buildings. They want to recapture the religious symbolism of their culture, reacquaint themselves with traditional shapes such as the Hogan, and resurrect ancient building profiles.

Seismic Resistant - Its symmetrical shape and strength give the dome an ability to survive earthquakes.

Economical Bulk Storage, Strength Capacity - The Monolithic Dome has the ability and strength to store high volume materials within certain angles of repose.

Termite Proof, Vermin Resistant - In different parts of the world, insect and vermin infestations can shorten a wooden building's life by a decade. But a concrete shell structure is impervious to this problem.

Lower Insurance Rates - Because a Monolithic Dome is nearly indestructible, it can be insured at lower rates.

 

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