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How To…

Sometimes folks who like the look and shape of a Monolithic Dome and really would like one hesitate. They begin worrying about the finishing and upkeep of a nonconventional structure. For that reason, Monolithic maintains this How To Section. It includes articles that deal with construction-related issues, such as a “Start of Construction Checklist.” Other articles give detailed descriptions for doing the finishing, such as framing the dome’s interior, installing an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), and cleaning an Airform. We frequently add topics to this section and work hard at keeping all the information easy to understand and current.

 

Cleaning our Monolithic Airform

Image: The Ecker’s dome home before they began ...

As my wife and I prepare for future exterior work on our Monolithic Dome, and to keep up with recommended Airform maintenance, it’s finally time to wash our Airform again. (Continued…)

Insulated Footings: Thermal Break for Monolithic Domes

Image: Joey is taping off the area just ...

Generally, in the US, footings are not insulated. By not insulating the footing, we have a place where cold can enter our houses. Monolithic Dome builders may need to consider insulating footings of Monolithic Dome homes to provide a thermal break and reduce chances for condensation and/or mold growth. (Continued…)

Mixing the Strongest Shotcrete

When I started building Monolithic Domes, I wanted to know how to make the strongest possible concrete. How much and what kind of cement, water, rock, sand, admixtures, etc. should we use? I went to the Portland Cement Association for advice. I asked other shotcreters. Over the years, I have tried every mix we could think of. (Continued…)

Polyurethane Foam Application

Image: Rebar Hangers ...
It is imperative that you, the dome owner/builder, understand the basics of foam application to monitor the process and look for potential problems. This article describes the foam application process and could be given to a foam contractor so expectations are clear. (Continued…)

Starting a Monolithic Dome Construction Company

Image: Applying Shotcrete — Workshop attendees get the ...

Starting and operating a Monolithic Dome construction company is a challenge. It is not for the faint of heart. But how else can you have the sense of accomplishment you get from building such fine structures, using your own skills? Your efforts will benefit others, and you will leave a legacy of buildings that will be used throughout the next millennium. (Continued…)

Exterior Window Treatments: A Primer

Image: Side shapes and arch shapes ...

When designing your dome for residential or commercial use, it’s worth thinking through multiple construction possibilities early in your planning. Floor plans and fixtures might take up the bulk of your time, but an often overlooked issue is the dressing out of your exterior windows. (Continued…)

Considerations for Arched Window Bucks in Airform Augments

Image: Side view of augment showing height difference ...

So after all the back-slapping, hand-shaking and fan fair during the Airform inflation, you’re finally ready to get down to the business of interior construction. From inside, you’re admiring the eye-catching, organic shape of the inflated Airform and the ethereal translucence as the sunlight filters through fabric, when a contractor derails your train of thought. (Continued…)

Patching Airforms

Image: A Tear in an Airform — This ...

When dealing with something as “delicate” as an Airform (Airforms are as tough as a boot but because of their weight they seem delicate), rips and holes will happen. The best way to deal with these problems is to be prepared for them. This article reviews a few of the things you can do to fix such problems. (Continued…)

Installing Augment Frames

Image: Attach Stakes — 4. Attach the stakes ...

In a Monolithic Dome, an augment is an extension of the Airform. That extension creates a vertical surface, beyond the curve of the dome, where a door or window can be installed. A smooth augment is achieved by properly planning the Airform. (Continued…)

A Monolithic Anchor Point Provides Safety

Image: Anchor Points ...

Tasks such as cleaning, repairing, painting or covering the outside of a Monolithic Dome often means workers must climb to the dome’s top and move along its curved roof. For working atop any Monolithic Dome, a correctly installed, permanently set Monolithic Anchor Point is the simplest and most secure. (Continued…)

Airform Handling and Repairs

Image: A Monolithic Dome Airform — It’s a ...

An Airform is a highly engineered fabric structure. Because of its expense, extreme care should be taken not to damage it. The most likely time to damage the Airform is while transporting it to the job site; spreading it; attaching it; and inflating it. (Continued…)

How to Build a Monolithic Dome

Image: Step One: Foundation ...

Monolithic Domes are constructed following a patented method that requires a tough, inflatable Airform, steel-reinforced concrete and a polyurethane foam insulation. Each of these ingredients is used in a technologically specific way. (Continued…)

Determine HVAC Needs For A Monolithic Dome: An Engineer’s Advice

Gordon Cuthbertson, owner of Cuthbertson Mechanical Engineers, of Mesa, Arizona and Ontario, Canada, was a skeptic. When Gordon first got involved with Monolithic Domes about four years ago, he, like so many others, had a hard time accepting and believing what the Monolithic Dome Institute (MDI) says about the thermal mass capability of its structures. (Continued…)

The Monolithic EcoShell II

Image: The Monolithic EcoShell II — The EcoShell ...

In the United States and other industrialized nations, an EcoShell II can serve the same purpose as an EcoShell I: It makes an ideal, durable and low maintenance garage, workshop, grain storage, small warehouse or shed. Nevertheless, some people feel that the EcoShell II is an improvement over EcoShell I, since its construction system allows Shotcrete to be applied to the interior of the Airform. This difference does not seem like much to some; others think it makes EcoShell II’s construction process more technologically sophisticated and therefore more appropriate for a nation with a developed economy. (Continued…)

The Monolithic EcoShell I

Image: The Monolithic EcoShell I — The EcoShell ...

An EcoShell I is a super-strong structure that can withstand hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fire, termites and rot that has different uses. In industrialized nations, particularly those with temperate or cold climates, such as the United States, Canada and Great Britain, uninsulated EcoShells make an ideal garage, small warehouse, grain storage, shed or workshop. But in the developing world, most of which has a tropical or equatorial climate, EcoShells can provide permanent, secure, easily maintained and – most importantly – affordable housing. (Continued…)

Interior Framing

Image: Interior Framing — Interior framing in a ...

Once the Monolithic Dome shell is in place, we need to divide the interior into rooms. Our suggested method for this is to use steel studs and sheetrock. You can use wood studs but that interjects a material that is flammable and subject to termite damage. If the walls of the house are simply separators, you can use light gage steel studs and simply put them in place. (Continued…)

Choosing a Site for Your Dome Home

Image: Monolithic Dome overlooking a Pond — The ...

Choosing a proper site for a Monolithic Dome is both simple and complex. Obviously, the easiest place to build is on a nice flat piece of land with good drainage, but a Monolithic Dome is so versatile it can be constructed on a limitless number of sites. You can put it on a mountainside, a valley or even over water. No matter where you build, be sure to take advantage of your property and sight lines. (Continued…)

Cleaning the Airform

Image: The Airform — Over time, our not-so-clean ...

At times it is appropriate to clean the Airform, before or after the building is completed. This may be necessary because of dirt accumulated during shipping or construction, or from our not-so-clean environment. (Continued…)

How to order an Airform for your Monolithic Dome

Image: White 18.5oz Fabric — The Callisto, Italy, ...

Airforms for Monolithic Domes are ordered by the square footage of the gross surface area, the number of augmentations, and patterning charges. Calculate the surface area of the Monolithic Dome to be constructed. Look up the square-foot cost in the appropriate table. Multiply the surface area times the cost per square foot. (Continued…)