Can monolithic domes be built with different heights of arc? The compound curves of monolithic domes make their geometry extremely adaptable. Dome construction can be completed in three to four weeks since they are one-piece buildings that are formed rather than built.
The appearance of the dome can be one of the major factors for many home buyers when they consider purchasing a monolithic dome home. The idea of living in a concrete house that looks exactly like an igloo may not exactly match what a buyer would consider their "dream home." But, what if the arc were different? What if the house looked less like an igloo or half an egg, and instead, consisted of a low-arc gentle curve sweeping across the horizon?
"The geometry of the dome can be vastly varied," says David South, founder of the Monolithic Dome Institute in Italy, Texas. He's been building monolithic dome homes for over thirty years, and his company displays a wide variety of basic curves to start the design process.
"We use terms like "oblate ellipse," "prolate ellipse," "parabolics" and "hyperbolics," David South continued. "They are compound curve structures and we can do a tremendous amount of things with the geometry of the building to enhance the look or enhance the usability." In other words, depending on the location, function, and aesthetics, there are a wide variety of curve shapes that can be applied to the dome.
One of the factors involved in the curve of the arc of a dome is the usability of the building. Steep, high curves,like the pointed end of an egg,might be useful in snow country, for example. Keeping the roof steep helps prevent a huge buildup of snow, which could bury someone walking by.
Low roofs with gentle curves have their uses, also. For example, if the owner wants their dome buried,a monolithic dome house can support enough weight to be buried thirty feet underground, after all,then a low-arc curve would be much better suited to the task, because the "hole" that has to be dug to hold the house doesn't have to be anywhere near as deep.
The "look" of the building is the other function of the shape, besides the usability of the roof. The design of the building and the shapes involved carry a message all their own. Think of the perfect children's bedroom dome, with the dome above it high, with steeply curved sides--painted with eyes, ears, and a top hat, to mimic a favorite cartoon character.
A home surrounded by smooth rolling hills would blend more comfortably into its surroundings with a long, low curve to the dome, making a home appear more "at" home.
David South also describes houses that are three or four domes molded into one house. The question of "how steep is the curve in the arc of the roof" might be avoided by having a collection of smaller domes in a variety of arcs, curves, and shapes, connected by tunnel hallways or outside walkways..
It all comes down to the function and usability of the roof, considering such factors as heat, rain, snow, shade, and dirt, while also taking into account such aesthetic concepts as landscape, scenery, color, children, and the builder's sense of whimsy.
