Big Domes vs. Little Domes
by
David B. South
Reprint from the 1997 Fall Roundup
updated March 5, 2007
 David B. South, President of the Monolithic Dome Institute |
The Monolithic Dome and the Crenosphere are a step into the future of construction. Past buildings are made of little pieces fastened together one at a time. Future construction will use the more efficient spray-in-place technology. It skips buying small pieces and then putting them together like a big puzzle.
Lease
a School - all or part We are improving on the concept of modular
classrooms, only we call them Pods. The gymnasium Pod is an example. It
is self-contained. There is little interruption of the school during the
construction of a Pod.
Qualified school districts can lease a gymnasium Pod or complete set of
Monolithic Dome School Pods in the same manner as they presently lease
temporary classrooms. At the end of the lease period, the final cost to
the school district is "ONE" dollar ($1).
NOTE: Lease costs are as competitive as bond costs. "If a bond election
is held and lost, we can not provide a lease." If a bond vote is expected
to be close, consider the "Lease to Own" first.
Arenas
- Stadiums - Super Space This Roundup is spotlighting sports spaces
sized from a Junior High basketball court to the High School Gym Pod to
the large Public Arenas seating many thousand at hockey or basketball.
The big spotlight is on the Crenosphere super stadium for football, baseball
and soccer.
All these buildings share the enormously cost-efficient construction and
even more spectacular energy-savings. Most arenas are built with tax payers'
dollars. Monolithic structures are built to last for centuries and at
great savings for the tax payer.
These buildings cut energy costs by a minimum of 50 percent. This means
the equipment to heat and cool the building will be cut by 50%. Hence,
maintenance for these systems will be cut 50 percent. The electrical system
needs are reduced accordingly. Original cost of construction can be reduced
by more than 20%. Life cycle costs are at least 50 percent less.
Any group contemplating a sports space of any size should give us a chance
to explain Monolithic System.
Recognized
by The Monolithic Dome Institute Monolithic Dome Institute has put
in place a program by which architects, engineers, developers, and contractors
can be recognized. These recognized firms and individuals will be authorized
to use the MDI designation with their name and will be cataloged for reference
purposes.
Potential users of the Monolithic Dome will be able to call and get references
for these professionals who can help with their projects. In order to
be recognized, these firms will have completed at least three significant
projects.
Senior
Apartments That Make Sense We need your help and money to provide
senior apartment units. We will help you - anyone - build these on your
property in your town, or we will build them on property near us (our
preference). In either case you can be the total or majority owner. The
Monolithic Dome Apartments shown on page 27 need to be built. They will
cost about $30,000 per unit with land, utilities, and parking - ready
to use. At least 60 units should be built to start, with room to expand
to 150. Please contact us for details.
EcoShells
Make Terrific Storage The EcoShell will never be what a Monolithic
Dome is, but they are very cost efficient for storage. The small ones
can be built by hand. Randy South built an EcoShell (see photo) that used
only three cubic yards of concrete to construct and a small amount of
rebar - Less than $250 for materials. With a little imagination it could
even look like a turtle.
Obviously you better build them where you want them cause they will be
there forever. Let us be early in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a
prosperous new year. Most of all, we wish to join with you in being thankful
for the abundance we have been blessed with this past year.
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