California Residents Seek Disaster-Safe Home After Destructive Fires

Barry and Susan McDermid owned a Geodesic dome which burned in the 2003 southern California wildfires. After that experience they have been researching Monolithic Domes. Sold on the idea, they are now building a beautiful dome home located next to Cuyamaca State Park, just one hour from San Diego. The view from the home is spectacular. On a clear day the ocean and mountains are visible. The exterior is a chain-shell concrete coating offering an organic feel which is somewhat representative of the natives' mud huts in South Africa where they both grew up.

Dome Technology and South Industries are constructing the home and its design was created by Joseph A Henseler. The home includes eight oval skylights using custom V-Bucks built by Vinyl Technologies. It also features an integrated Tridi Panel wall system at the front of the home.

The structure was engineered by Chris Zweifel of ZZ consulting. It consists of three merged elliptical shapes and will be partially earth bermed when complete. Monolithic Airform Manufacturers designed the Airform structure. The dome shell will be complete in just a few short weeks.

Andrew South is Vice President of South Industries, Inc. To contact Andrew about your Monolithic Dome Home project, email him at Andrew@dometech.com.

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Related Links:

• FEMA -- Design and Construction for Community Shelters and Its Application to Domes
• Monolithic Dome Survives Engulfing Flames of California Wildfire