The Clarks’ Monolithic Dome: A House Built of Credit Cards
Living room — It’s on the main floor and includes a small, wood-burning stove. The owners are not expecting to use the stove. Instead, they rely on a hot water system running along the floor of each level.
House built of credit cards — The two-dome home of the Gary E. Clark family of Ann Arbor, Michigan is a 36’ hemisphere on an 18’ stemwall, buried 9’ into the ground.
Main floor — It encompasses 1000 feet of living space, shared by a foyer, great room, TV room, kitchen, study and half bath.
Great room — Three large windows and a 17-foot-high ceiling amaze visitors to the great room.
Monk staircase — Width on each step alternates from left to right. This enables the staircase to be much steeper, almost like a ladder, and still “feel” like a regular staircase when climbing or descending.
Bathroom — The Clarks utilized space near the dome wall in the bathrooms.
Bedroom — Master bedroom has an 18-foot-high ceiling. A monk staircase leads to a L-shaped, 250-square-foot study.
Economical heating — An under-the-floor, hot water system keeps this Monolithic Dome home cozy warm. The hot water comes from a boiler in the basement.