Are there climates that are better suited for monolithic dome homes than others? It is a wonderful structure from one end of the world to the other. Monolithic Domes lend themselves well to any environment....
Monolithic Domes lend themselves well to any environment. They are super insulated to protect against the harshest of temperatures. From the frigid polar regions of the Arctic, to the sweltering deserts of Africa, Monolithic Domes provide increased energy efficiency, leading to climate control at a fraction of the cost of traditional housing.
Monolithic Domes are one piece, concrete buildings that are shaped like an upside-down bowl. Several inches of concrete are sprayed over super-insulation, creating a near perfectly insulated structure. The concrete absorbs and holds the environmental temperature. If your air conditioner is on, the interior concrete absorbs the cool air and holds it. As the interior of your home warms, the cool air from your walls is reabsorbed into the house, helping to keep the home cooler longer. In a sense, the concrete acts as the first layer of insulation.
David South has been building monolithic domes since 1975. He and his brothers hold the patent on the process. Mr. South is co-founder of the Monolithic Dome Institute, in Italy Texas, where they teach contractors and lay people how to build monolithic dome homes.
"What I call a monolithic dome is a super-insulated structure. It is a wonderful structure from one end of the world to the other," says David.
"We have also developed one that we call an "eco-shell" that has no insulation, and that would not be very appropriate in Mongolia or other places that get lots of harsh winters," continues Mr. South.
The super insulation of the standard monolithic dome increases energy efficiency. Compared to a traditional home, monolithic homes require approximately half as much electricity for climate control, saving the owner hundreds of dollars every year.
In areas where electricity is prohibitively expensive or non existent, monolithic homes also make sense. They hold heat well, so indoor fire places or wood burning stoves are an effective heating option.
Desert areas are also great climates for monolithic homes. Well placed ceiling or box fans keep air moving in a dome well.
Monolithic Domes are also well suited for adaptation to solar energy use. Even in more cloudy climates, enough energy can be produced to run a monolithic home.
"Energy-wise, there is no place on earth that wouldn't benefit from the domes," says David South
In tropical areas where the temperature is mild and steady, the Eco- Shell is a better option. Eco - Shells are smaller, un-insulated, and very inexpensive. They are perfect for warm areas with very mild winters. David South explains, "We are building eco-shells in Kenya, Bolivia, Haiti and other warm, tropical places like that. And in those parts of the world, we can build them extremely economically. $600 builds a house for a family."
For all areas of the world, monolithic domes make sense ecologically, and financially. Unfortunately, monolithic homes and even Eco domes are too expensive for some places. In those areas, David and the Monolithic Dome Institute are establishing assistance programs with the governments of some of those areas. If government and industry work together, homes can be built that are long lasting, virtually maintenance free and in many cases, portable.
