SUMMER 1997 $5.

95

“Schools of Tomorrow Available Today.”

FOR A “WELL-ROUNDED” EDUCATION

CONSIDER A DOME BUILT BY

DOME TECHNOLOGY
THE PROFESSIONAL DOME BUILDERS

Visit our home page on the Internet at:

http://www.dometech.com

3007 East 49th North

Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Phone (208) 529-0833
Fax (208) 529-0854
E-Mail Address (dome@srv.net)

Nature’s Perfect Form

The Future’s Perfect Structure
16 Emmett High School in Emmett, Idaho
10 Charca Casa, The House By The Pond
Take a tour of David B. South’s own 2,700
square foot Monolithic Dome home.
20 Biological Containment
An Evaluation of the Monolithic Dome Construc-
tion Method for Biological Containment Structures.
Published in the Journal of the American
Biological Safety Association.
11 Do-It-Yourself
Create an inexpensive, attractive concrete
baseboard between the floor and the dome
wall using these simple steps.
24 The Lighter Side
The importance of carrying pliers and staying
away from tall Airforms.
24 Technical Journal
“R” Fairy Tale revisited: Air infiltration and
heat loss versus surface temperature.
24 President’s Sphere
“A modern Monolithic school also makes a
statement to the students, teachers and the
communities. There is a new century ahead,
and we should prepare for it.”
Editor’s Circle, 4 • Circulation Desk, 6 • Dome News, 7
Schools
12 Domes Earn Respect In Payson
By Beth Kreider
“The bottom line was that the district
was able to save about $1.6 million for
the construction of an elementary school
and a multipurpose facility.”
14 Multiple Benefits
By Beth Kreider
“I was in [the 200 foot dome gym]
this winter when there was snow on the
dome and no heaters, and it was still 70
degrees in there with just the lights
heating it.”
16 10 Years At Emmett High School
By Jim Nau
In 1986, construction began on the
Emmett High School. Ten years later, it is
still a model school for the future.
Summer 1997 • Volume 10 • Number 3
On the cover
Frontier Elementary School in
Payson Arizona. Designed by
Rick Crandall. Photo by John
Ellingson of Dome Techonolgy.
Photo of Emmett High School
(above) by Jim Nau.
Editor’s Circle
Coming Full Circle
By David South, Jr.
S
ometime in January, 1987, my dad
asked me to help my grandmother,
Marjorie South, create our company
newsletter — the Roundup. It was a simple,
black and white, four page publication that
we sent to about 500 people.
At that time she was creating the
Roundup by hand. First she would type
all the articles with her electric typewriter.
Then she would bring the photos,
articles, and her layout ideas
to the Pioneer Press in
Shelley, Idaho.
The owner of the
press would typeset
the text and halftone
the photographs. On
a pasteboard sheet
he would carefully,
hand lay-up each
article, headline, and
halftoned picture.
He printed the newsletter and
we would hand label each one for
mailing. The process was time consuming
and fairly expensive, two words my
father hates to hear.
Dad has always stayed close to
computer technology and I’ve been using
them ever since I was eight-years-old. By
1987 we had moved into the era of CAD
systems running on IBM-AT computers.
We also purchased an Atari 520ST, sort
of the Atari version of a Macintosh.
It became my job to help Marj (my
grandmother preferred that everyone
call her Marj) use the Atari computer to
layout the Roundup and print it on a
“laser printer.”
Once “printed,” we would take the
pages to the press where the owner
would add the photographs. It was
supposed to be cheaper.
Visit our web-site — http://www.monolithicdome.com
4 ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997
Never mind that we didn’t own a laser
printer and I didn’t know anything about
newsletters. Only now can I truly
understand how patient my grand-
mother really was.
One interesting note: the owner of the
Pioneer Press said that a desktop com-
puter will never do an adequate job in
the publishing business. Hmm.
In 1994, we changed our four
page newsletter into a 16 page
tabloid newspaper. It was
eight times larger than
before. We thought we
could NEVER fill up all
that space.
We also thought that
sending 1000 issues at a
time would be extrava-
gant. Our last issue of the
Roundup went to over
10,000 people.
My sisters have edited the
Roundup for the past three years. For
two years, Rebecca filled the newspaper
with her articles, ads, and ideas.
Then Melinda, who managed a moun-
tain of e-mail and worked as dad’s assis-
tant, still produced superior Roundups.
Of course, they didn’t do it alone and
everyone involved has as much to be
proud of as they do. I want to thank
Rebecca and Melinda for their hard work
and dedication.
This is the first color Roundup, ever,
and I have come full circle to be its new
editor. I cannot tell you how excited I am
about our new magazine. Now we can
show the Monolithic Dome as we have
always wanted to.
I hope you enjoy what is inside as
much as we do. ¼
Summer 1997
Publisher
David B. South
Editor
David South, Jr.
Assistant Editor
Melinda South
Art Director
David A. Collins
Circulation
Anne DeMoss
Subscriptions
Cindy Sutherland
Roundup: Journal of the Monolithic
Dome Institute (ISSN 1087-5271) is
published quarterly by the Mono-
lithic Dome Institute. Monolithic, Air-
form, and Roundup are trademarks
of Monolithic Constructors, Inc.
Subscriptions are $14.95 US
($19.95 International). Send
subscription requests, renewals,
and address changes with the
original mailing label to our address
below or use fax or e-mail.
Roundup
Monolithic Dome Institute
PO Box 479
Italy, TX 76651-0479
Tel: 972-483-7423
Fax: 972-483-6662
roundup@monolithicdome.com
We welcome letters from our
readers. Please send us your ideas,
stories, questions, and comments.
If you want us to return any
materials sent, please include a
SASE with enough postage and we
will return your submission.
All rights reserved. Please do not
copy any part of this publication
without permission.
©1997–Monolithic Constructors, Inc.
 Got Mud?

When it’s time to spray concrete, the Targhee™ Shotcrete pumps are
perfect for the job. The Targhee™ 1500 AP (pictured, $6,740) applies
two yards per hour and is run by a simple air compressor. The electric
Targhee™ 2000 EHP ($11,0000) can pump up to six yards per hour.
Monolithic Constructors, Inc. also sells scaffolding, Airform™ inflators,
protective clothing, air compressors, portable concrete mixing
equipment, concrete mix additives and more. For more information
call 972-483-7423 or write PO Box 479, Italy, TX 76651.

© 1997 Monolithic Constructors, Inc. Targhee, Monolithic, and Airform are trademarks of Monolithic Constructors, Inc.
Circulation Desk
Pass Home
We have
finally come to a
breathing place,
and can write of
our “Birthing” of
the dome. From
the beginning,
the weather was
our enemy.
November gave
us fits as it was
the wettest in many, many years.
We received in excess of 20 inches
in four weeks. We finally poured
the foundation and slab over the
week of Thanksgiving.
We then waited for some five
weeks, for the traditional January
warm spell. Ron Boswell of
Mountain Home did the actual
application of the concrete, while I
led the mixing crew — total of five
men and four days. We were able
to work in shirt sleeves. The work
went smoothly.
We finished the dome interior in
six weeks! All cabinet work, floor
coverings, sheet rock, and appli-
ances are in and done. By doing
the electrical, plumbing, and
carpentry, I was able to save a
great deal of money as well as
frustration. We are moved in and
have been living in the dome for
the past four weeks.
The average temperature never
drops below 65 without heat. We
have installed the smallest gas
furnace which we could. It comes
on once, each morning. We have
vented the dome by having a fresh
air intake at the furnace, and an
exhaust on the second floor. This
furnace does not use internal air
and actually pressurizes the inside
and exhausts out the opposite wall
of the dome with combustion
exhaust going out a muffled
exhaust tube.
We also plan making and
installing for the winter, two solar
panels, thus eliminating the need
of a furnace. I appreciate your
sending me the information on the
storm roll-up shutters, and will
investigate this.
6 ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997
Q
A
All in all, the packaging and
shipping, as well as the technical
assistance which you and your
entire staff gave me, throughout
the progress was great and
appreciated tremendously.
Don Pass
Jasper, Arkansas
Backup Power
I was putting up the bracing for
my last doorway in the dome,
getting prepared for the foam, and
a terrible storm front moved in. I
Q
had seven windows, two doors,
and one 12 foot wide window buck
up and braced into place, ready for
foam when the tornado hit three-
fourths of a mile from my house.
The power went out, and I was
racing to drag the generator out of
A
the shed in the pouring rain and
the wind before the dome went
too saggy. I managed to get the fan
going again just as the dome was
starting to sag real bad and ready
to start falling. The power re-
mained off for two hours. Sure am
glad I took the precaution of
having a generator on hand.
Later, I learned the tornado had
destroyed six mobile homes and
damaged four others just down the
road from me. It would of sure
been a hoot if my dome had been
hit by a tornado before the
concrete went on. Oh well, that is
the end of my story, I’ll stay in
touch with my progress.
Thanks again.
Robert L. Collingsworth
via the Internet
How well do Monolithic Dome homes
stand up to earthquakes and do you
make any modifications when con-
structing in earthquake prone areas?
Glenn Evens
Student ASHRAE President
via the Internet
Conventional buildings contain many
joints between the walls, roof, and
foundation. These joints are called,
“moment connections.” During an
earthquake the structure is subjected
to enormous side loads that cause the
moment connections to weaken, fa-
tigue, and fail. A Monolithic Dome has
no consequential moment connec-
tions for an earthquake to damage.
From side to side and top to bottom
the dome is equally and extraordinar-
ily strong. Rarely will an earthquake
create forces high enough to meet
normal load conditions. A force V tor-
nado represents the greatest threat
and even then the Monolithic Dome
will have a safety margin.
I am considering building a home un-
derground, 30 to 40 feet in diameter.
How much dirt can cover the struc-
ture and still be safe?
Regan Bendt
Horicon, WI
For all intents and purposes you can
cover a Monolithic Dome as deep as
you want. Near the Rio Grande there
is a 30 foot Monolithic Dome buried
28 feet underground. A heavily loaded
dome tends to become like a cookie
cutter, therefore, the footing must be
wider to sustain the load. The struc-
ture itself needs a little more streng-
thening, too. Advanced planning and
engineering is necessary. A standard
Monolithic Dome will handle earth
bermed against it without any special
consideration other than drainage. Any
buried structure, Monolithic or other-
wise, must be carefully drained and
protected from water.
Please send your photos, letters,
and questions to: Roundup,
Monolithic Dome Institute, PO Box
479, Italy TX 76651. Or e-mail us:
roundup@monolithicdome.com
 Dome News
Adler Planetarium
CHICAGO — Dome Technology just
finished a third-scale model of a
dome for the Adler Planetarium. The
full-size, 57 foot diameter dome will
be built inside the planetarium. The
model was needed to prevent prob-
lems when building a concrete
dome in such a tight space.

April & May Workshops

SKETCH BY RICK CRANDALL

ITALY, Texas — The April and May
workshops at the Monolithic Dome
Institute taught 46 people how to
build a Monolithic Dome. The attend-
ees spent five days in classroom
and hands-on training. Space for the
Artist rendering of the two dome (280’ diameter) stadium September (9-13) and October (7-11)
Bull Frog Stadium complex. In one dome is a 10,000 seat stadium and the other workshops is still available. Please
contains a dual-rink practice facility for in-line and ice skating. call 972-483-7423 if you are inter-
ONTARIO, Calif. — Pending ested. The cost is only $500 and in-
approval from the city council, cludes lunches.
design and construction of a two However, the stadium dome will sit on a 33 foot
Monex Fly Ash Storage
dome stadium complex should support wall.
BELEW CREEK, N.C. — Dome Tech-
begin immediately. The facility will Inside the stadium dome, the Bull Frog hockey
nology is building a 40,000 ton fly-
include a 10,000 seat multipurpose team can play in front of 9,100 spectators. It will also ash storage dome for Monex. It is
stadium, a dual-rink practice seat 10,100 at basketball games and 12,100 at concerts. 165 feet in diameter and 82 feet tall.
facility, weight room, gymnasium, Thirty skyboxes with twelve seats each are placed A 90 foot reclaim tunnel is being
built using a tube shaped Airform.
spa, pro shop, racketball courts, around the stadium.
The tube is sprayed on the outside
and even a restaurant. The second dome houses a community center with with concrete.
Each of the two domes is 280 two full size rinks for in-line and ice skating. Each rink
Cebicue High School
feet in diameter and 76 feet tall. has bleachers for 600 spectators. ¼
CEBICUE, Ariz. — Shill, Judd,
Richards, Johnson Architects, Inc.
is currently designing a 210 foot di-
Rock Port Technology Center ameter dome high school for the
ROCK PORT, Mo. — A new Monolithic Dome bad weather, there was a 16 day Cibecue Community Education
Board. The design is a split level
Technology Center is being finished for the Rock Port delay over Christmas. There was dome with classrooms and labs on
School District. The dome will house a media center, even a week of 40 below zero wind the first floor and a gym and other
biology lab, chemistry lab, industrial lab, applied chill temperatures. In February, rooms on the second floor. Con-
science lab, technical lab, and a computer center. 1997, the dome was complete. struction should begin in August.
Construction of the dome by the Stratispan The dome is a 130 foot diameter Ashgrove Cement Storage
Corporation began in November, 1996. Because of by 32 foot high oblate ellipsoid. SEATTLE, Wash. — Dome Technol-
There is over 13,200 square feet ogy is building a cement storage for
of floor area inside. In the future Ashgrove Cement. The dome is a
145 foot hemisphere on top of a 20
there is an option of adding a
foot stem wall. A reclaim tunnel,
mezzanine level if more space is similar to the one for Monex, is also
needed. under construction.
Bill Hickenlooper, president of
Nucor Iron Ore Storage
Stratispan, estimates that heat loss
BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. — The iron
will only be 56,420 btu per hour. carbinite storage built by Dome
That is less than a 2,000 square foot Technology for Nucor Steel Co. is
conventional home. finished.
Another Monolithic Dome is
STRATISPAN

The 130’ x 32’ Technology Center for Rock Port School
District in Missouri. The dome will house seven labs and
classrooms. This photo was taken from the proposed
dome gymnasium site.
Petite Home
planned for a gymnasium.
MILFORD, Texas — Monolithic Con-
Designed by Ellison-Auxier structors, Inc. has finished and sold
Architects (924 Francis St, Saint a small one bedroom dome home.
These “petite” homes are low main-
Joseph, MO 64501. Telephone: 816-
233-8003). ¼ tenance and easy to build. MCI is
planning to build more in the area.

SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP 7

Monolithic Dome The Little Singer Community School (top two
photos), Birdsprings, Ariz. Inside is a gym, four
Builders Conference
classrooms, the superintendent’s offices, and
DALLAS, Texas — The third Monolithic an upper-level running track. The Library and
Dome Builders Conference was held Parent Center in Leupp, Ariz. (bottom two
at the North Holiday Inn on March 7- photos), is nearly finished. The Monolithic
8, 1997. About 120 people came from Dome will help the library stay very quiet.
21 states and 2 foreign countries.
Speakers included David B. South,
Monolithic Dome Institute; Linden Tolchii Kooh Schools
Fielding, Dome Technology; Frederick
Crandall, Rick Crandall and Associ- A Library and Parent Center in Leupp, Ariz., plus a
ates; Brad Crane, SCA Engineering; Multi-Purpose Building in Birdsprings, Ariz., are

SKETCH BY RICK CRANDALL

Linden Fielding, Rick Crandall, and David South
at the Monolithic Dome Builder’s Conference.
Jack Boyt, M.D.I. Consultant; and many
more. Success stories in building
domes were shared. On the 8th, a trip
was made to Italy, Texas, to tour the
offices, caterpillar, dome homes, and
nearly complete. Built for Tolchii Kooh Schools, Inc.,
these buildings fill a special need for each community.
The Leupp Library and Parent Center uses an 80
foot diameter dome. Most of the space inside is a
spacious and quiet library. Tables and chairs surround
a center circulation desk with an eight foot skylight in
the top of the dome. A meeting room for the commu-
nity, bathrooms, an office, control room, and service
room completes the building.
The Little Singer School in Birdsprings, Ariz.,
needed to expand their existing elementary school.
The new Multi-Purpose Building is a 120 foot dome.
The center area is a 48 by 48 foot gymnasium with
bleachers for 300 people. Four classrooms are behind
the bleachers on the main floor. The superintendent’s
offices are also in the dome.

PHOTOS: DOME TECHNOLOGY

other domes there. The fourth con- A unique feature of this building is an upper level
ference is planned for March 6-7,
1998. Please call 972-483-7423 for circular jogging track. The track circles behind the
more information. bleachers and above the offices and classrooms.
Architectural design by Rick Crandall & Associates,
Falcon Bridge Ore Storage
construction by Dome Technology. ¼
CANADA — Bechtel Corporation has
hired Dome Technology to build two
domes for the Falcon Bridge Co. Each
dome will be a 164 foot hemisphere Broadview Baptist Missionary Church
on a 2.5 foot stem wall. One will be
built in Deception Bay and the other CHICAGO — Dome structures Urman, Church Building Consultants, Inc. (630-260-
at Quebec City. Iron ore mined in the and religion go back through 1177). The design calls for a 142 foot diameter by 45.5
winter will be stored at the Decep- foot high dome. It will be used for a 2,000 seat
history for centuries. Its use as a
tion Bay facility. During the summer
when the ice on the Hudson Bay is religious symbol is well recognized sanctuary. The circular plan allows all the pews to
melting, a barge will transport the ore around the world. Soon the Broad- point directly at the podium.
to the dome in Quebec for process- view Baptist Missionary Church Surrounding the dome will be a conventional
ing during the winter. structure with classrooms, kitchen, fellowship hall,
will be added to that distinctive list
Flora Raab Home of religious buildings. offices, and more.
WATONGA, Okla. — Monolithic Con- The church is being built under a The Monolithic Dome consultant is Frederick
structors, Inc. built a 48 foot dome design/build contract by Dennis Crandall M.D.I. SCA will do the engineering. ¼
shell for Flora Raab for her home.

Holnam Cement Storage

Domtec International are now com-
pleting the two Holnam Cement stor-
age domes. Each one is 165 feet di-
ameter and 87 feet high.

Ron Wilkins Home

New Mexico — James Proffit, Proffit
From The Sun, has a contract to build
a home for Ron Wilkins. The home
SKETCH BY RICK CRANDALL

will be a large two to three dome

home.

James Mars Home

QUINLAN, Texas — Monolithic Con-
structors, Inc. is finishing a dome for
James Mars.
Artist rendering of the Broadview Baptist Missionary Church to be built in Chicago. The dome
sanctuary will be coated with an aliphatic urethane with real gold embedded in it.

8 ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997


Creig Lasley’s Home
GRASS VALLEY, Calif. — Located on the shore of Scott’s Flat Lake sits a beautiful
sculpured Monolithic Dome home. This 4,500 square foot home uses three domes meshed
together using saddle intersects. Owner and builder, Creig Lasley, invites visitors and those
wanting Creig to build a home to call him at Next Step Construction, 916-432-9023. ¼
Cradleboard Elementary
WHITERIVER, Ariz. — Nestled
among pine trees and shrubs is a
three dome, 450 student elemen-
tary school.
An alternating pattern of fabric
is used in the Airforms to reflect
the style of the White Mountain
Apache.
This 34,000 square foot facility
will be finished in October.
Spragins & Hinshaw Architects
(1100 N Beeline Hwy, Payson, AZ
85541. Tel 520-474-3630). ¼
Pattonsburg School District
PATTONSBURG, Mo. — Two of
four dome shells are completed for
the Pattonsburg School District.
When finished they will contain the
high school, district offices,
gymnasium, and elementary
school. The new school is only part
of relocating the entire town of
Pattonsburg.
In 1993, the great mid-west
floods severely damaged most of
town. Rather than rebuild in the
flood plain, again, they decided to
move the town three and a half
miles to higher ground.
While working to move the
town, they cleaned up the schools
and continued to use them until
new ones could be built. Last year,
the high school caught fire and was
substantially destroyed.
Both the 110 foot high school
dome and the 80 foot office dome
will be finished for school this fall.
SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP
Denver Salt Storage
DENVER — Stratispan is building
another salt storage dome for the
Colorado Highway Department. Bill
Hickenlooper says he is glad to be
building a dome so close to his
home.
Monolithic Dome Visitor Center
CREIG LASLEY
ITALY, Texas — The Monolithic
Dome Institute has finished its new
visitor center. The Io-24 dome home
has a tiled floor, one bedroom, and
Creig Lasley’s home during construction. All bedrooms have bathroom. It will always be open. A
their own covered porch with inset windows and overhangs. video explaining dome construction
and uses plus a tour of the property
will be shown.
Tommy Rector’s Io-24
WINCHESTER, Ky. — The Lexington
Herald-Leader newspaper ran a
front page story for the Io-24 home
that Tommy Rector, Full Moon Con-
struction Co., is building. Tommy
plans to rent the dome and build
more as he gets funding.
Bill Hornback
New Mexico — Bill Hornback is
building a 30 foot diameter by 13
foot tall EcoShell.
Don Bainbridge
DOME TECHNOLOGY
CROWN POINT, Ind. — Don
Bainbridge is building himself a new
home. He has hired George Paul of
Thermospheric Structures to come
and help him.
The three dome,450 student, Cradleboard Elementary School
under construction. The alternating white and sandstone
Jim Steel
pattern is created by using two colors of fabric in the Airform. ITALY, Texas — Jim Steel just pur-
chased a space cabin for use as a
bedroom and put it out on his farm.
He wanted something he would not
have to worry about blowing away
when the severe Texas thunder-
storms come along.
Roundup Coffee House
ROUNDUP, Mont. — In the near fu-
ture you can stop for a fancy cup of
coffee at Peter Zolnikov’s new dome
coffee house. Peter and Norma
Zolnikov built a large, beautiful
dome home two years ago. They
know how to make it work.
DOME TECHNOLOGY
Randy South
MENAN, Idaho — Randy South just
bought Airform to add another room
to his home in Idaho. He has decided
The finished dome shells for the high school and district offices to add a 20 feet in diameter family
in Pattonsburg, Mo. The dome will replace the high school room. It will be connected to the
damaged by fire last year. An elementary school is planned. main house with a covered breeze-
way.
The 150 foot diameter gymnasium dome is under Charlie Sweet
construction. A 110 foot diameter dome has been
GRASS VALLEY, Calif. — The design
ordered for the new elementary school. and Airform are finished for Charlie
Architectural firm Cheesebrough & Associates (405 Sweet’s new dome house. The
East 13th Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116. Tel: 816- home is a 1,411 square feet prolate
ellipsoid—like the “Eye of the Storm.”
221-5005) designed the schools. Dome construction by
Wayne Hale is building the dome.
Dome Technology. Monolithic Dome consultant is
Rick Crandall. ¼
9
 Charca Casa
Open House on
August 23, 1997
Call 972-483-7423 for information.
A circular stairway leads to a loft
constructed over the hallway and
bathrooms. Only a small amount
of space is required for the circular
stairway. The loft is a great place
for the grandkids to “camp out.”
10
The House by the Pond
C
harca Casa in Spanish means “house heard in the building. It is extremely easy
by the pond.” The acre pond is a to heat and cool. The curved vaulted
spectacular backdrop for the spacious ceilings add significant spaciousness to
patio. Charca Casa is designed with a 32' the bedrooms as well as the living areas.
expanse of windows in the living room to Charca Casa is a compound house. It
view the activities on the patio and pond. could have been built in two stages, years
Charca Casa is two connected 40' apart. The first stage would be a nice,
diameter domes into a duplex. The right three bedroom home. The second stage
hand dome, Casa, has three bedrooms, a would have been to expand the home.
small guest room, and a home office. In the Next, a covered swimming pool, exercise
center of Casa, over the bathroom and hall room, or great room can be added.
is a small loft. This loft is an ideal place Charca Casa is a wonderful home and
for the grandchildren when they is available for tours (by appointment
come to visit. They love to go up only). ¼
the circular stairway and “camp
out” in the loft.
Charca, the dome on the
left, contains a very large
living room, a single bedroom
with private bath, a utility
room, large pantry and a
spacious galley kitchen. The
dining area is adjacent to the
living room and the whole area
functions as a great room. The
great room is about 700 square feet
with the obvious focal point being the
patio windows.
Charca Casa has a ceramic tile floor
throughout. The interior framing is prima-
rily steel studs with sheetrock. The use of
the dome with the interior details makes the
home very hypo-allergenic. The home is
easier to keep clean than most.
The feeling inside Charca Casa is won-
derful. Very little outside sounds can be
ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997

The two 40 foot diameter
domes of Charca Casa (left)
provides 2,700 square feet of
living space. A beautiful 14 foot
deep pond (left inset) sits
behind the house. The 700
square foot “great room”
(bottom) has a beautiful view of
the pond through a large bank
of windows. The galley kitchen
(center) is ideal for serious
cooking. And high open ceilings
in the rooms (below) provide a
peaceful open feeling. Ceramic
tile throughout the house is
attractive and easy to clean.
SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP
Do-It-Yourself
A Baseboard
for a Dome
The junction between the floor and Apply a concrete adhesive to the dome wall.
the Monolithic Dome wall can be a real
struggle to make attractive. You can-
not just drop by your local lumber yard
and buy a wood baseboard made for a
concrete circular wall. Vinyl baseboard
is very difficult to install and still may
not be satisfactory. You can, however,
create an easy, inexpensive, and attrac-
tive molding with a little grout and a
hand trowel.
While constructing the dome, it is
important to control the concrete
where it meets the floor. Every time
you spray concrete make certain that
extra material is not left lying against Then apply the cement grout using
the dome wall and the floor. Someone a quarter round edger.
must clean that area every time the
dome is sprayed. It is easy to take a
shovel or a scraper and remove the
excess material before it sets.
After the Monolithic Dome is com-
pleted the molding is made. You will
need a bag of fine sand, a bag of type I
or type II cement, concrete adhesive,
and a quarter round edger also known
as a bull nose edger. The quarter round
edger is a familiar tool used around
walks and driveways. It is widely avail-
able in four to six inch widths and ¼”
to ¾” offsets. Try a four inch edger with
a ½” or ¾” radius offset. Using the edger, smooth the molding
until the desired shape is achieved.
Concrete adhesive is generally avail-
able at concrete accessory shops or
lumber yards. It is generally a white
acrylic polymer under many brand
names. Please follow the manufactur-
ers directions.
Mix a grout mixture of two parts
sand and one part cement. The mix-
ture should have a very stiff doughy
consistency.
Treat the bottom of the dome wall
with a concrete adhesive. Apply the ad-
hesive as high as the desired molding.
If you use a four inch edger, apply the
adhesive four inches up the dome wall. Then remove the excess cement from the
Apply the grout mixture to the adhe- molding using a dry wall blade or putty knife.
sive. Use the edger to create a smooth,
consistent edge for the full distance of
the dome wall. When it is set, paint it
to either match the dome wall or
complement the room.
When you are finished you will have
a smooth, attractive base to lay carpet
or tile against. ¼
After the molding has set, it is painted.
The result is a seamless, inexpensive
border between the dome and the floor.
11
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DOME TECHNOLOGY
Domes Earn Respect
in Payson
By Beth Kreider
Front entrance (top) to the Frontier Elementary
School in Payson, Arizona. Aerial photo
(above) of the three domes that house the
media center, multipurpose room, and
cafeteria. Between the outer wall and dome
(below) is a play area for the kindergarten.
12
At first, some residents of Payson
Arizona were skeptical about the presence of
domed buildings in their community.
Today, less than a year since two
Monolithic Dome sites were completed, a
new attitude prevails. “Yes, it’s an
unusual building,” said Sue Myers, “but
teachers, parents and just about every-
one who spends time inside these domes
comes away with a positive impression.”
Myers is the principal at Frontier
Elementary School, one of two dome
projects recently built by Payson Unified
School District.
The Frontier School resembles three
giant upside down bowls. One dome
serves as a combination gymnasium and
music room. The other two domes each
have 10 classrooms along their perim-
eters, which surround a library and
cafeteria, respectively.
ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997
All three structures have their own
skylight and are connected to a flat
roofed building that houses the school
office, restrooms, teachers’ prep area, a
medical station and other rooms. The
building is the only part of the school
with window, but teacher Deb Jones said
that’s not a problem. “From the outside
you see that there aren’t any windows,
but from the inside you don’t notice it.”
she said, adding, “ And I’m a real
window person.”
Myers said Jones’ reaction is common,
and attributes it to the atmosphere
created by the domes.
The circular design within each dome
and among the domes is much more
cohesive than in traditional long, narrow
buildings, the principal said, “I can The multipurpose facility was com- The typical classroom (upper left)
personally be in any room in less than a pleted this spring, and will be ready for has shadow free indirect lighting
reflected off the dome ceiling. A
minute. Plus, the closeness builds a sense use this summer or fall. large center skylight illuminates
of community and it’s easier to be “Initially, it took a lot of courage for the lunchroom core of one dome
collegial.” our governing board to strike out and do (upper right). Skylights in the
classrooms receive sunlight from
Jones agreed that the circular class- something that’s never been done here the center core. Bathrooms,
room arrangement and spacious center before,” the superintendent said. “But in offices, maintenance, and
areas encourage cooperation. “There’s a retrospect, that decision will benefit the mechanical rooms are situated
between the domes (lower left).
lot of joint teaching and shared re- students and the community for years to The multipurpose dome (lower
sources,” she said. “This building is just come.” ¼ right) is an effective gym and a
made for it.” swell place for music,
assemblies, and meetings. The
Visitors seem to notice it, too. Beth Kreider is a reporter for The Payson media center (bottom) is the
When the school opened its doors last Roundup. She has reported on the domes center of the third dome. It is
October, those who came to look around from their inflation to their completion. absolutely gorgeous with its high
ceiling and eight foot skylight.
were impressed. “I really like the way
everything is so open in the center,” said
one mother as she looked at the skylight
above her.” I remember always feeling
cooped up in school, and you just don’t
get that sensation in here.”
Another parent added, “I’m amazed
that they fit so much in here without
seeming crowded. It looks so different
from outside, but inside it’s really neat.”
Comments like those were music to
the ears of Payson School Board mem-
bers and administrators, who were
responsible for the construction of the
town’s first domes.
“The bottom line was that district was
able to save about $1.6 million for the
construction of an elementary school and
a multipurpose facility, and that means
more facilities for less money, “ said
Payson School District Superintendent
Russ Kinzer.

SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP 13

 Multiple Benefits By Beth Kreider

Coaches, athletes and sports fans are delighted with Payson Uni-
fied School District’s new multipurpose dome, which will be home to the
district’s middle and high school basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams.
“It gives us a fantastic arena for storage space. It also seats 2,400 — four
spectator sports,” said High School times more people than the school’s
Assistant Principal and Athletic Director existing gym.
Barry smith. “The 50 foot ceiling give ‘Thanks to using this type of building,
such an airy open feeling. It’s a perfect fit we were able to get into a facility we
with our suspended, four-sided needed for the amount of money that
scoreboard, and will be great for people was available to us,” the athletic director
to watch.” said.
Smith said he is impressed by the District Superintendent Rus Kinzer
dome’s construction and floor plan. “The said the new sports complex only cost
layout couldn’t be better. They took a about $2.8 million, as opposed to the $5 An aerial view (above) of Multi-
square gym and put it into a round or $6 million it would have cost for a Purpose Educational Facility in
Payson, Arizona. It is an expansion
building, and it is great.” comparable building with traditional to the existing high school. The
The dome features one competition methods. Mogollon Rim mountain range
court that splits into two practice courts, He said the dome’s attractive price tag (below) beyond the dome.

as well as four coaches’ offices, two sets helped convince people to give the
of boys’ and girls’ locker rooms and unconventional building a try.

14 ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997

 “People have to get used to the shape,
but that’s already happening. We haven’t
“The dome’s The gymnasium (above) is the
center of the facility. The 200 foot
heard a lot of grumbling because people attractive price tag diameter dome can seat 2,500
people. There is additional space
see the price and are impressed with the
use of taxpayer money.” helped convince for a wrestling room, rest rooms,
weight rooms, concessions, offices,
and more. Notice how the lights
But the savings don’t stop there, people to give the (below) shine onto the dome wall
Kinzer said. “We anticipate that mainte- to provide light for the whole gym.
nance and energy costs will be fairly low. unconventional
I was in there this winter when there was
snow on the dome and no heaters, and it
building a try.”
was still 70 degrees in there with just the
lights heating it.”
When the multipurpose dome opens
for use this summer, it will mark the
completion of the school district’s second
Monolithic Dome facility in the past two
years.
You have to do a lot of groundwork
with contractors and building inspec-
tors,” the superintendent said. “They’re
used to straight lines and square corners,
and are a little skeptical. But now that
we’ve gone through the process, it would
go more smoothly next time. “
When asked if there are more domes
in Payson’s future, Linzer smiled. “I
think the district is likely to consider
building more domes in the future, but
not until after I retire,” he joked, adding,
“I’m just kidding. It was well worth any
extra work we had to do.” ¼

SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP 15

 Ten Years at Emmett Hi
By Jim Nau

The Emmett High School class of 1987, celebrating their

ten year class reunion this summer, will tell you that their final years
of school were, to put it mildly, very uncomfortable.

The 900 student Emmett High School (above and left) uses two 180 foot diameter domes to
house the classrooms and gymnasium. Three smaller domes house the woodworking, metal,
JIM NAU

and auto shops. The superintendent, Ronald Noble, reports that the dome saves at least 66
percent in energy costs over the district’s other conventional schools.

16 ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997

igh School
At that time, room restraints in the old
high school (now the Emmett Middle
School) forced double shifts to accommo-
date the student load. Even though Gem
County is among the smallest of Idaho’s
44 counties, many of these young people
traveled 30-40 miles one way to get to
school each day. Those who chose to
participate in sports or extracurricular
activities often found themselves putting
in outrageously long days.
“It was a mess,” recalls then vice
principal Tony Villanueva, now retired.
“Academically, our kids were having a
hard time. The kids that were involved in
high school activities would come to
school at 6:30 in the morning, and were
SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP
supposed to go home at 12:30 in the
afternoon. Well, if they lived up in Ola or
Sweet (in the extreme northern parts of
our rural county), and they had practice
at three or three-thirty, regardless of
whether it was band or athletics or
drama, they just had to stay. So, they got
through about five or six o’clock and by
the time they got home and got some-
thing to eat, they were putting in thirteen
or fourteen hour days.”
And it really showed academically.
“Kids and teachers alike were consis-
tently tired and we were really looking
for a change,”
The necessary change came to Emmett
in the form of Idaho’s first Monolithic
Dome school buildings. Villanueva
admits that, in 1987, “just about anything
would have been an improvement,” but
the domes offered a reasonably priced,
authentically unique alternative to so-called
stick frame buildings. And, it was claimed,
dome design would provide savings in
both maintenance and utility costs.
Ironically, the students who pushed the
hardest to get the domes accepted and
constructed did not graduate from them.
Most will tell you, however, that they did
not want another class to be put through
what they endured, even if the immedi-
ate pay off did not benefit their class
directly. One year later, the class of 1988
proudly gathered their diplomas inside
17
 So You Want A Dome School?
You have read the information, seen the photographs, and under-
stand the benefits. Now you want a Monolithic Dome school in your
area. Here is what you need to do, if you are a...

School District Patron

Give this Roundup to your superintendent and school board
members. Ask them to look at it and see what the future brings. Point
out that these are real schools with real cost savings and benefits.

School Board Member

Call us for more information including a free video to the superin-
tendent to be passed around the building committee. Explain to other
members and the superintendent the benefits of a school that will last
longer than the bond repayment. Vote for a structure that will save
enough money in heating and cooling costs to literally pay for itself
over the bond period. And the school will still be structurally sound
for at least another century. It can not be burned, or blown away. It is
the ideal refuge center in times of disaster.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DOME TECHNOLOGY

Superintendent
Call us for free video and more information. We will give you free
consultation about costs, construction schedules, designs, financing
and much more. We will work with you to provide the most up to
date building that can be built. It makes a statement about where we
are going — into the future. The savings will allow more money in
the budget for salaries and teaching programs. Our experts stand
ready to help.
the gym of the gleaming white domes,
School Architects the first class to claim that victory.
Ten years later, the domes have lived
Call us for detail information on how to design to take advantage
up to the promises made by Monolithic
of the wonderful benefits of the Monolithic Domes. MDI is not trying
Constructors, Inc. Villanueva says, “It’s a
to take your job but to assist you in your job of seeing the best value
very quiet building, when you compare it
for the school district. You can help them save huge amounts in
to anything else in our district. You come in
energy and maintenance costs. You will be designing permanent
and see the foyer, and it really looks like
structures that will serve virtually forever. Our trained designers and
you’re entering a mall. Most of the people
engineers have the experience to ease your load with the design.
who visit here have really been impressed
Contractors with the domes, they really have.”
Classrooms in the domes, he says, are
Let us help you promote this type of construction in your commu-
bigger than those in other, “normal”
nity. Most of the dollars spent on the building are for traditional items
structures, which has proved to be
such as plumbing, wiring, carpet, painting, etc. The concrete is
enormously advantageous. One of the
purchased locally as is the rebar. A new technology is introduced that
most frequent misconceptions concern-
is useful for all kinds of other buildings — churches, recreation
ing the domes has centered around this
facilities, senior citizen centers, housing, and so on.
issue in particular. Most people assume,
because of the curvature of the outside
Everyone can be proud of their new Monolithic Dome schools. Not
construction, that the building encloses a
only is there more money left over for other items, but the new
considerable amount of unusable, wasted
technology is available for all to see and use. For many years we have
space. Villanueva says that this is just not
squandered our resources in building throw away building. Thou-
so. “We got more space out of the a
sands of them have burned, rotted, fell apart, or blown away. Con-
building than we thought we were going
sider the resources that are not needed when a Monolithic Dome is
to have. It’s not crowded at all. It has
built. Consider the millions of pounds of coal that will not be burned
proven very functional in that way. Even
to heat or cool it. Consider the thousands of trees that are not need to
though some of the classrooms are ‘pie
be cut to build it. And consider the energy and resources it takes to
shaped’, they are roomier than anything
replace or repair the obsolete worthless hulks of the throw away
else we looked at.”
structures every 40 or 50 years. — David B. South
Assistant Superintendent of Schools,
Ron Noble, offered several comparisons

18 ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997

to highlight, the domes’ performance.
Using Sweet/Montour Elementary
School as an example, Noble said the
utility costs alone have proved exceed-
ingly attractive. Sweet/Montour is a
conventional building serving about 62
students in northern Gem County
(Emmett High School this year supported
close to 900 students). Built in 1973, the
elementary school is attractive and
functional, and sits in its own verdant,
picturesque valley, but is quite expensive
when stacked up against Emmett High
School.
The domes provide in excess of 110,00
square feet of enclosure, while Sweet/
Montour measures in at about 27,000
square feet. During the 1995-96 school
year, power at Sweet/Montour totaled
just under $9,000, during the same
period, the high school power consump-
tion came to $10,100. [Ed. Note: That is 33.3
cents per square foot for the elementary school
versus 9.2 cents per square foot in the dome.]
If you ask newcomers to the valley
what impresses them most about the
area, they will nearly unanimously
comment on Squaw Butte, a mountain-
ous volcanic outcropping at the head of
the valley, the awe-inspiring view from
the highway 16 atop Freeze-out Hill
SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP
which serves as the main artery in and
out of the valley, and the Emmett High
School domes. And almost always in
exactly that order.
So proud are the students who today
populate the building that for the past
decade they have insisted that a likeness
of the domes be imprinted on their
diplomas.
Emmett has traditionally enjoyed a
fairly isolated, quiet rural population. Three floors of classrooms
(top) surround a five story tall
Although the numbers of those settling atrium. A 25 foot diameter
in the valley continue to swell as our artificial skylight provides a
nearby cities push their boundaries ever daylight atmosphere during
all weather conditions. The
outward, administrators anticipate that double-wide gym (above) can
Emmett High School will continue to seat 3,000 for graduation
serve the community for another decade ceremonies. The dome also
houses a weight room,
before expansion is required. wrestling room, locker rooms,
And as that growth continues, so will offices, concessions, and a
the numbers of Emmett high school little 350 seat theater.
students who, just as those celebrating
their ten year reunion this summer
insistently do, consider the domes an
integral part of what makes life in Gem
County incomparable to any other
community. ¼
Jim Nau is the Managing Editor for the
Messenger Index newspaper in Emmett,
Idaho.
19
Biological Containment
An Evaluation of the Monolithic Dome
Construction Method for Biological
Containment Structures
CALAMCO Cold Storage in Stockton, Calif., stores fruit in an airtight atmosphere of 98% nitrogen
and 2% oxygen at near freezing temperatures. Each dome contains 42,000 square feet of floor
space, illustrating that massive airtight structures are possible using a Monolithic Dome.
Abstract
A Monolithic Dome was built as a
residential structure using a previously
developed Airform technique. The
building consisted of an outer airtight
form, polyurethane foam insulation, and
reinforced concrete. Except for the
Airform kit, locally available materials
were used for construction using several
alternatives and options applicable to this
kind of building. The process and options
were evaluated relative to their applica-
tion for the production of biological
containment facilities. It was concluded
that the Monolithic Dome building
technique is an effective alternative to
conventional methods.
Literature Review
Required characteristics of a functional
biological containment building have
been outlined in several publications over
the last 30 years (Kuehne 1973, Phillips
1967, U.S. Department of Health and
20
Human Services 1993, U.S. Department
of Agriculture ARS 1991.) Sealed concrete
walls, floors, and ceilings have been
specified along with directional filtered
airflow. Specifications for the sealing of
penetrations currently range from
statements such as “Penetrations in these
surfaces are sealed, or capable of being
sealed to facilitate decontamination.”
(U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services 1993) to extensive pressure
decay testing procedures which require
airtightness to an extreme degree (U.S.
Department of Agriculture ARS 1991). In
the pressure decay testing requirement,
sealing must be so complete that at a
beginning pressure of 2" (5 cm) w.g.
(water gauge), the rate must not exceed
7% (logarithmic of pressure against time)
per minute over a 20 minute time period.
This is a difficult standard to attain using
conventional building designs and
techniques.
ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997
The procedures for producing a
Monolithic Dome are described in an
article by one of the originators of the
process (South 1990). A circular concrete
footing is first constructed. A fabric form
is then attached to the footing and
inflated with air pressure. Two to five
inches of polyurethane foam are then
sprayed onto the inside of the form after
which reinforcing steel (rebar) is attached
to the foam. Last, concrete is sprayed
over the foam and steel (Figure 1). The
procedure may be modified if insulation
is not desired by using a different kind of
Airform and placing the steel and
concrete on the outside of the form
(South 1995).
Monolithic Domes have potential for
extreme airtightness as shown by their
use for fruit storage in Stockton Califor-
nia (Anonymous 1990, Schmidt 1989). An
atmosphere of 98% nitrogen and 2%
oxygen at near freezing temperatures
has been maintained in two 230 foot (70
meter) diameter domes to suspend the
aging of fruit. Each dome contains 42,000
square feet (3902 sq. meters) of floor
space, illustrating that massive airtight
structures are possible. The key to the
degree of airtightness is in the urethane
foam and the seamless quality of sprayed
on concrete.
Construction costs for this kind of
structure are relatively low. The Stockton,
California domes cost approximately
$20.00 per square foot (.09 square meter).
For residential use, finished dome costs
were estimated in the range of $25.00 to
$35.00 per square foot (Zimmerman
1992). In industrial use such as the
Reprinted with the permission of
the American Biological Safety
Association. This article originally
appeared in their journal entitled
Journal of the American Biologi-
cal Safety Association (Volume 2,
Number 1, 1997, pages 39-46).
Noel Neighbor, M.S., University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville, Arkansas, and David B. South
Monolithic Constructors, Italy, Texas
storage of large quantities of fertilizer, it
is estimated that domes require 50
percent less concrete, reinforcing, and
footing than do conventional walls
(South 1991). With the addition of airtight
doors, HEPA filters (High Efficiency
Particulate Air Filters), airlocks, and the
necessary control equipment, the cost of
a finished containment structure may be
below the usual cost of such buildings
due to the savings on the building shell.
High structural integrity is a highly
desirable feature of a containment
building. It has been estimated that a
Monolithic Dome with proper earth
sheltering will withstand bomb blasts
more effectively than conventional
structures (Barbier 1994). One chemical
company chose to use a Monolithic
Dome to store large quantities of
material and makes the following
statement: “The strength and stability of
domes make them virtually immune to
climatic catastrophe, or earthquakes, as
well as to fire, or corrosion hazards.”
(Wood 1995). For environmental reasons,
a state highway department uses a dome
for salt storage on the basis of the
estimation that 80 to 90 percent of
environmental problems associated with
the use of salt on roads is due to im-
proper storage (Anonymous 1988).
Energy efficiency of building designs
should be considered and is high in
Monolithic Domes. The R-value of a
typical dome is considered to be 35, but
may effectively be higher due to the
effect of thermal mass (South 1990). The
energy saving features of domes are
summarized by an architect who states,
“Domes embody the virtues of simplicity,
economy, and energy conservation, and
enclose the maximum amount of space
with the least surface area. It is this
surface area which consists of building
materials, and comprises the exterior skin
of the building through which heat is
gained, or lost. This is the essence of
dome efficiency.” (Zimmerman 1992).
SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP
With the exception of the Airform kit, Figure 1 (A-E)
locally available materials are all that is
needed to produce a dome. The expertise
required to manage the alternative
Fig 1a — Foundation is constructed.
methods of construction may be devel-
oped through video tapes and classes
taught by experienced dome builders
(Neighbor 1995).
Materials and Methods
Generally standard materials and
methods of Monolithic Dome construc-
tion were used. Variations and options
chosen are listed in the following sections.
Airform Kits
The Airform kit was obtained from Fig 1b — Airform is attached and inflated.
Monolithic Constructors, Italy, Texas. The
kit consisted of a 40 ft. (12 meter) dia-
meter form along with reinforcing steel
(rebar) anchors. The form was ordered in
the shape of a half sphere with no custom
window, or door augmentations.
Polyurethane Foam
Sprayed on polyurethane foam
insulation was of a type using a two part
process in which Dipheny-methane-4,
4'-diisocyanate was mixed with blended Fig 1c — Polyurethane foam is applied.
polyol resin.
Reinforcing Steel
Steel in the foundation and slab was 5/8
inch (16 mm) and 1/2 inch (13 mm) grade
40 rebar. In the dome shell 1/2 inch
(13 mm) and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) grade 60
rebar was used.
Concrete
In the foundation and slab a standard
5 sack (470 pound cement per cubic
yard), (214 kg cement per .76 cubic Fig 1d — Rebar is hung and tied.
meter) concrete foundation mix was
used. Concrete used in the dome shell
was a 9 sack per cubic yard (.7647 cubic
meter) mix. This was made up of 846
pounds (385 kg) Portland cement, 2182
pounds (992 kg) sand, 394 pounds (179
kg) 3/8 inch (1 cm) maximum diameter
gravel, 1.5 pounds (.7 kg) plastic fibers
and 4 ounces (118 ml) air entraining agent
delivered at a 2" (5 cm) slump ready for
the addition of water to pumping
Fig 1e — Shotcrete is applied.
21
Biological Containment
consistency. For the final coat of concrete,
the gravel was eliminated and sand
substituted.
Construction Procedure
The footing and slab were constructed
at the same time using a ringbeam
configuration for steel in the footing and
a grid pattern for steel in the slab.
Polyurethane foam was applied in two
layers to a total thickness of 3 inches (7.6
cm). Concrete was applied by the
shotcrete (wet) process over a period of
four days. Each day from 0.5 inch (1.25
cm) to 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) of concrete was
added to the structure. This was done by
standing on the floor, or from up to three
layers of 5 foot (1.5 meter) scaffolding at
a maximum distance of 6 feet (1.8 meter)
from the nozzle tip to the wall. The
design specified the application of at least
6 inches (15 cm) of concrete at the wall
base tapering to at least 2 inches (5 cm) at
the top of the dome. Following the last
application of concrete, blowers were left
on for 8 hours and then shut off. The
airlock was then left closed for 30 days to
allow curing of the concrete.
CONCRETE DOME STORAGE
Optimum Utilization With Optimum Value
Murmansk, Russia – Fertilizer Storage, 182’ x 65’
(55m x 28m) 18,500 metric tonnes per dome.
Visit our home page on the Internet at:
http://www.dometech.com
22
To provide a smooth finished surface,
a layer of cement based plaster was later
hand applied and finished. This was
primed with water based acrylic latex and
finish coated with acrylic latex enamel.
Pressure Testing and Durability
Observations
Pressure Testing
Coarse pressure testing was the only
pressure testing possible on this project.
Deflection of a sheet of builders plastic
taped over a window opening was
audibly measured as a door was closed.
Later after the installation of sealed, non-
operable windows, air movement was
audibly measured following the rapid
closing of an exterior door and the resul-
tant compression of air in the interior of
the dome. It was not possible to do a
pressure decay test on the structure.
Structural Observations
Twenty-four months following the
completion of the dome, observations
were made concerning durability. The floor
and shell were examined for cracks and the
surface of the Airform was checked for
deterioration due to weathering.
3007 East 49th North
Idaho Falls, ID • USA • 83401
Phone (208) 529-0833
Fax (208) 529-0854
E-Mail Address (dome@srv.net)
ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997
Testing of Insulation
The dome was tested for the effective-
ness of the insulation during winter
temperatures. Two 1500 watt electric
heaters were run for approximately a
month while qualitatively measuring the
room temperature.
Results
Closing of a normally gasketed
residential door produced pressure
sufficient to cause plastic covering a
window hole in the exterior of the dome
to produce an audibly detectable deflec-
tion. During the closing of the door later
with permanent windows in place, air
could be heard rushing between the door
and the jamb for approximately two
seconds after the door was shut. Air leaks
were small enough in number so that
combined with the insulation on the
building, only minimal heat was required
to keep the dome at close to habitable
room temperature (59 to 68 F, 15 to 20 C)
using only the two 1500 watt heaters.
The structure remained sound
following completion. No major cracks
formed in the dome shell. More cracks
occurred in the slab than in the shell. The
Rapid Construction
–regardless of weather–
Competitive Pricing
–low construction costs–
Multiple Uses Designed
to handle product loads
up to 2.00 tonnes/m3
Inexpensive Foundation
Requirements
Maximum Waterproofing
Minimizes Condensation
–keeps product dry–
Minimal Product
Degradation
Low Cost to Fill
Comfortably withstands
seismic zone 4 loads and
typhoon velocity winds
Total Automated Reclaim
–optional–
Biological Containment
Airform remained in about the same
condition as when new, not showing any
noticeable deterioration from the
weather.
Discussion
Results of the construction of the
dome show that there is potential for this
kind of dome to be used successfully for
biological containment building construc-
tion. As indicated by the results of the
door closure testing, the airtightness
required for pressure decay testing is
nearly achieved after a dome is finished.
One of us (Neighbor) has been through
the pressure decay testing and sealing
process with a conventional building and
reports that the degree of airtightness
achieved after the initial dome construc-
tion was comparably achieved in the
conventional building only following
days of preliminary leak detection and
sealing. Pressure decay testing was
beyond the resources available for this
project. Had it been reasonable to do
more extensive sealing of openings and
penetrations, there is a high possibility
that the USDA tests would have been
passed with minimal effort. Energy
efficiency was confirmed in the winter
heating of the dome. The lack of major
cracks in the shell indicates that the
structure is permanent and durable. The
lack of noticeable weathering of the
Airform indicates that it should last for
several years before requiring recoating.
Interior wall finishes using paint may be
adequate to permit airtightness and
cleaning initially, but consideration
should be given to the use of a flexible
polymer finish to compensate for cracks
if they should eventually occur. With the
addition of air locks, specialized HVAC
equipment, airtight doors, and a small
amount of additional sealing of penetra-
tions, this structure could be modified to
meet the requirements for containment
in Ag BSL-3 construction with much less
work than with a conventional building
(U.S. Department of Agriculture ARS 1991).
There are several reasons that Mono-
lithic Domes should be seriously consid-
ered as assets to any attempts toward
ultimate biosafety. Other types of
buildings, while able to pass a pressure
decay test immediately following
construction, would most likely not pass
a year later due to settling of foundations
and resultant cracks in the containment
SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP
envelope. Preliminary evidence is that
Monolithic Domes will remain structur-
ally stable for extended periods of time.
Reinforced concrete combined with the
dome shape is extremely strong. There
would be much less likelihood of a break
in containment due to earthquakes, or
severe weather than with a conventional
building. The recent terrorist bombings
around the world also indicate the need
for extreme structural security of any
laboratory in which dangerous biological
agents are present.
Concern has been raised by some
about the risks to domes during con-
struction as a result of power failures.
The most critical time appears to be while
foam only, or foam and untied rebar are
supported by only air pressure. One
builder reported that after all of the rebar
on a 50 foot (15 meter) diameter dome
had been placed and tightly tied, power
was down on both a portable generator
and the utility company for about half an
hour. The dome did not suffer any
noticeable damage during this time
(Vaughn 1995). This might not have been
the case before all rebar was tied, or if the
power had been lost later during
shotcrete application. The necessity for
back-up emergency power is thus
indicated during construction.
Potential uses for Monolithic Domes as
containment structures are numerous.
Small animal research work could be
done under conditions which more
closely approximate wild outdoor, or
agricultural conditions than do isolator
cages, or small floor pens. For large
animal disease work Monolithic Domes
provide walls which may stand the abuse
of large animals and offer open spaces
needed for exercise. Aerosol testing as
applied to the development of defensive
devices against chemical and biological
warfare agents might be done in large
domes. Due to the insulating qualities of
the shells, the attaining of high, or low
temperatures would be easily accom-
plished. The strength of this kind of
construction would also allow either
above, or below sea level altitudes to be
simulated through the use of high
pressure supply, or exhaust fans.
Since the security offered by Mono-
lithic Domes is unequaled for the amount
of money required to produce them,
they should be ideal for new research
and treatment facilities required by
government and health organizations. To
produce a structure by conventional
methods with as much durability as a
concrete dome could require much more
than available funding. Although
research and health funding is decreas-
ing, the need for affordable containment
is increasing. Patients requiring isolation
due to antibiotic resistant respiratory
infections and those who need to be
protected from infection due to immune
system disfunction continue to become
greater in number. Buildings located in
areas away from the general population
might be advocated, but it would be
more effective to place the treatment
centers close to the problems in areas of
dense population. An affordable place to
house these patients is available in
Monolithic Domes.
There are other non-biocontainment
applications for Monolithic Domes. Large
exercise areas might be built to train
athletes, or the military for performance
at various air pressures and tempera-
tures. Where large clean rooms are
required for medical and electronics parts
manufacturing, isolation domes may be
an answer as to how to supply hundreds
of thousands of square feet of unob-
structed, clean, isolated, affordable space.
Durable, affordable, energy efficient
homes, schools, factories and churches,
may also be provided through this
technology. ¼
Published with the approval of the director of the Arkansas Agricultural
Experiment Station.
Paper was presented orally at the 1996 ABSA Annual Meeting.
References
Anonymous. 1988. Covered Salt Storage Essential to Good Snow Contral
Operation. Rocky Mountain Construction. Sept. 19. N-14.
Anonymous. 1990. Western Hemispheres. Concrete Today. May 3. C6-
C7.
Barbier, M. M. 1994. Thr Construction of Shelters With Concrete Domes.
Journal of Civil Defense. 28(3):28-29.
Kuehne, R. W. 1973. Biological Containment Facility for Studying Infec-
tious Disease. Applied Microbiology. 26:239-243.
Neighbor, N.K. 1995. At Home in the Neighbor Dome. Monolithic Dome
Roundup. May/June. 1-3.
Phillips, B.G., & Runkle, R.S. 1967. Laboratory Design for Microbiologi-
cal Safety. Applied Microbiology. 15:378-389.
Schmidt, J. 1989. Dome Suspends Time. The Stockton Record. July 16.
F1 and F4.
South, D.B. 1991. Curves Bin Walls. Bulk Solids Handling. 11:75.
South, D.B. 1990. Economics and the Thin Shell Dome. Concrete Inter-
national Reprint.
South, D.B. 1995. Ecoshells Round the Corner. Bulk Solids Handling.
Vol.15(3):476-479.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 1993. Biosafety in
Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. U.S. Government Print-
ing Office. Publication No. (CD) 93-8395.
U.S. Department of Agriculture ARS. 1991. Construction Project De-
sign Standard. ARS Manual 242.1. Chapter 9.pp.43-44.
Vaughn, L. 1995. Lead Hill, Arkansas. Personal Communication.
Wood, R.W. & Hunter, M.1995. Domes in the U.S. Desert. Bulk Solids
Handling. 15:390-394.
Zimmerman, J. 1992. Airformed Concrete Shells. Solar Today. Sept/Oct.
23
The Lighter Side
Pliers and on Top of the Airform
M
any tools are required when we
construct our Monolithic Domes.
I cannot tell you the number of
times I have needed a pocket knife or a
pair of pliers. So we strongly urge our
employees to carry a pocket knife and a
pair of pliers at all times. It saves valuable
time having these tools on hand rather
than walking back and forth to the tool
box. The story I am about to tell did not
take place at a dome construction site. It
takes place at a gasoline station.
We build domes all over the place and
that requires a lot of travel. Many times
we travel in pickups pulling trailers with
our equipment and tools. One day we
stopped at a gas station in Ogden, Utah.
Riding with me was a good friend and
co-worker Ben Olsen. After we stopped,
Ben immediately jumped out and said, “I
will be right back. I have got to go to the
rest room.”
While he was in the rest room, we
proceeded to fuel the truck, check the oil,
and do all those fun necessary things that
one does at a fuel station. Sitting in the
pickup, engine running, ready to leave,
we were beginning to get concerned —
no Ben. We had no idea where he was.
After about 10 to 15 minutes Ben finally
came running to the passenger door. He
threw it open, almost out of breath, and
with his pliers clutched in his right hand
he said, “I will always be grateful that
Randy suggested that I carry my pliers.”
Of course that made us wonder. He
told us how he had gone into the rest
room to use the facilities. After washing
his hands he was ready to return. He
found that the inside door of the rest
room did not have a door knob. He
struggled for several minutes hoping and
praying that someone would come to
free him. Finally, he used his pliers and
was able to open the door and make his
escape.
You never know when or where a
good pair of pliers will come in handy.
24
by Gary L. Clark
I meant “Inflate” the Airform not “Blow-It-Up!”
A
s with most projects we build, when
we first inflate the Airform we
always attract quite a crowd. It
seems that people come from far and
near just to watch air go inside this
balloon. The dome that we built for a
church in Houston was quite large, over
140 feet in diameter and 5 stories tall.
Needless to say it takes more than just a
few minutes to inflate.
During inflation I usually walk
completely around the exterior of the
dome. I check if it is connected properly
in all the right places and that none of the
connections, straps, or bolts are coming
loose.
While I was making one such inspec-
tion of a half-inflated Airform, I heard
laughing and giggling and talking on one
side of the dome. I was not alarmed since
there was quite a crowd of people there.
As a dome inflates it becomes a little
like a soft pillow. Or like a white cloud
that floats with the breeze that generally
pushes it around until it reaches full
pressure. As I got to the back side of the
Airform I noticed several members of the
crowd thought it was fun to “ride” the
dome skin.
They would take off their shoes and
socks and try to run up the sloping
inclines of the Airform and then sit down.
As wind would blow the Airform it
would gently lift them up and they
would slide down it like a slippery slide.
I am not saying it was safe, but it was
enjoyable for those people.
After the dome was completely
inflated, we started doing some of our
preliminary work. The crowd began to
ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997
leave when it became apparent that one
young man was missing. We searched
the tool sheds, the cars, and the nearby
woods to no avail. Yes, we even searched
inside the portable toilets. He was
nowhere to be found and his parents
were beginning to get very worried.
Then a thought struck me. I stepped
inside the dome looked up.
During a nice sunny day the inside of
the Airform is quite translucent. The light
flows through quite readily, therefore, it
was easy to see at the pinnacle of the
dome the shadow of this young man. I
called out his name and yelled, “Is that
you?”
You could see him stand up and
through sobbing tears he screamed, “Get
me off of here!”
Of course we shut off the fans and
allowed the dome to deflate. After a
while it lowered enough for this young
man to finally slide off the dome and
back to safety.
I am sure there are several morals to
this story, you may choose your own,
and always remember there are many
things a little on the lighter side of dome
construction. ¼
Gary Clark is Vice President of Production
at Monolithic Constructors, Inc. In real life,
Gary is never without his pliers.
 Expect the Best!
Ð We continually push the
development of Airform™
technology to new heights with
innovative augments and low
cost construction.
Ð Utilize our experience on your
next project: home, municipal,
or commercial building.
Ð You are just a call away from
realizing your expectations.

Rocky Mountain Dome Co.

HCR 85 Box 170-M

Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
(208) 267-8596
Airform is a trademark of Monolithic Constructors, Inc.

SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP 25

26 ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997
Technical Journal
“R” Fairy Tale, Revisited
By David B. South
[Ed. Note: This is an addendum to the “R”
Fairy Tale article published in the Jan/Feb
1997 issue of The Monolithic Dome Roundup.
Full reprints are one dollar.]
T
he best known solid insulation is
expanded polystyrene. Other solid
insulations include cork, foam glass
and polyisocyanate or polyisocyanurate
board stock. The later two being varia-
tion of urethane foam. Each of these
insulations are ideally suited for many
uses.
Foam glass has been used for years on
hot and cold tanks, especially in places
where vapor drive is a problem.
Cork is of course a very old standby
often used in freezer applications. EPS or
expanded polystyrene is seemingly used
everywhere from throw away drinking
cups and food containers to perimeter
foundation insulation, masonry insula-
tions, etc.
Urethane board stock is becoming the
standard for roof insulation, especially
for hot mopped roofs. It is also widely
used for exterior sheathing on many of
the new houses.
The R-value of the urethane board
stock is of course better than any of the
other solid insulations. All of the solid
insulations will perform far better than
fiber insulations whenever there is wind
or moisture involved.
Most of the solid insulations are placed
as sheets or board stock. They suffer
from one very common problem. They
generally don’t fit tight enough to
prevent air infiltration.
It does not matters how thick these
board stocks are if the wind gets behind
it. We see this often in masonry construc-
tion where board stock is used between a
brick and a block wall. Unless the board
stock is actually physically glued to the
block wall air will infiltrate behind it.
As the air flows through the weep
holes in the brick and around the
insulation it is rendered virtually useless.
Great care must be exercised in placing
the solid insulations. The brick ties need
to be fitted at the joints and then sealed
to prevent air flow behind the insulation.
SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0 1 2 3
Inches of Polyurethane foam
The only commonly used solid
insulation that absolutely protects itself
from air infiltration is the spray-in-place
polyurethane.
When it is properly placed between
two studs or against the concrete block
wall or wherever, the bonding of the
spray plus the expansion of the material
in place will effect a total seal.
This total seal is almost impossible to
overestimate. In my opinion most of the
heat loss in the walls of the home have to
do with the seal rather than the insula-
tion.
For physical reasons, heat does not
conduct horizontally nearly as well as it
does vertically. Therefore, if there were
no insulation in the walls of the homes,
but an absolute airtight seal, there would
not necessarily be a huge difference in
the heat loss.
This would not be the case if the
insulation was missing from the ceiling.
Air infiltration can most effectively be
stopped with spray-in-place polyure-
thane. It is the only material (properly
applied) that will fill in the corners, the
cripples, the double studs, bottom plates,
top plates, etc.
The R-value of a material is of no
interest or consequence if air can get past.
U
nderstanding the two purposes of
insulation gives a standard to
measure the insulations:
Heat loss
There is a little understood part about
insulation that needs to be covered.
There is a substantial difference between
insulation for temperature control and
insulation for heat loss control.
For instance, the graph (Figure 1)
shows the heat loss control of the spray-
Surface Temp
Heat-Loss
Polyurethane foam
prevents most heat
loss with at only a
couple inches.
However, you will
need more foam to
keep the surface
temperature of the
foam closer to the
interior temperature
of the building.
4 5 6 7
in-place urethane foam insulation. Any
insulation will have a similar graph but
with thicker amounts of insulation.
This graph points out that more
insulation is not necessarily cost effective.
There is a point where more insulation is
pointless from a total heat loss perspec-
tive.
The graph shows that 70% of heat loss
from conductance is stopped by a 1 inch
thickness of spray-in-place urethane
foam. Remember we are going to stop
nearly 100% of the heat loss from air
infiltration with the first one-fourth of an
inch of urethane foam.
The second inch of spray-in-place
urethane stops about 90% of the heat loss
and the third inch 95% and so forth.
Thermal diffusivity and Heat Sinks
It should be noted that when the
urethane is used on the exterior of a heat
sink, such as concrete, the actual effective
R-value is approximately doubled. This is
why with the Monolithic Dome, we are
able to calculate effective R-values in
excess of 60.
A heat sink is any substance capable of
storing large amounts of heat. Most
commonly we think of concrete, brick,
water, adobe and earth as heat sink
materials used in building. The property
of a heat sink to act as an insulation is
called thermal diffusivity.
The simple explanation for the way it
works is: As the temperature of the
atmosphere cycles from cold to hot to
cold to hot the heat sink absorbs or gives
up heat. Because the heat sink can absorb
so much heat it never catches up with the
full range of the cycle.
Therefore, the temperature of the heat
sink tends to average. Large heat sinks
will average over many days, weeks or
even months.
27
 An example is the adobe hacienda with Underground housing — surface modifications to make them equal to real
its 2 to 6 foot thick walls. By the time the temperature control vs. heat loss control. world conditions.
adobe walls begin to absorb the daytime Most of the underground housing is in There need to be allowances. They
heat it is night time and the same heat trouble from mold and mildew growth. must show equivalents. These equiva-
then escapes into the cooler night. The cause is not enough insulation to lents will be more like one inch of spray-
Therefore the temperature would control interior surface temperatures. in-place urethane equal to four inches of
average. Because the mass of the adobe is Rarely is total heat loss a problem. fiberglass in a normal installation.
so large the temperature averages over Water vapor condenses on the surface Footnotes to the table will need to
periods of months. Adobe acts as an allowing mold to grow. Mold makes define degradation of insulations in real
insulation even though adobe has a people sick. The only solution is lots of world conditions. Only then will the “R-
minimal “R” value. insulation for temperature control and value” Fairy Tale become a real world
You can see from the graph that ignore total heat loss. success story. ¼
urethane thicknesses beyond four or five My experience is that R-value tables
inches is practically immaterial. We use can be used as indicators. They need
three inches for most of our construction.
Two inches will do a very superior job.
We have insulated many metal buildings
with one inch of urethane and the drop in
heat loss is absolutely dramatic.
Obviously the first quarter inch takes
care of the wind blowing through the
cracks. It usually takes an inch to be sure
the cracks are all filled. The balance of the
inch adds the thermal protection.

Surface temperature control

Surface temperature control is the
second reason for insulation. In many
cases it is the most important reason for
the insulation. I noticed this phenomena
first while insulating potato storages.
We had various customers ask us to
insulate the buildings anywhere from
two to five inches of urethane. The
building insulated with two inches would
hold the temperatures of the potatoes
properly, just as well as the building
insulated with five inches. The difference
came in the condensation.
Potato storages are kept up at very
high humidity levels. The buildings with
the two inches of urethane would have
far more condensation than those with
the five inches.
An engineer from the Upjohn com-
pany explained this to me. He drew for
me a graph as shown here (Figure 2). It
shows that thicker insulation is absolutely
necessary to maintain higher interior
surface temperatures.
One and a half inches of urethane on
the walls and ceiling of a potato storage
would control the heat loss from the
building, but it took a minimum of three
inches of urethane to control the interior
surface temperature. Four inches was
even better. With five inches did differ-
ence is practically negligible.
The only place where we have felt the
need for five inches of urethane was
insulating the roof or ceiling of a sub-zero
freezer.
28
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ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997

Currently all classified ads are free in the Roundup. We are not endorsing the services or products listed. We
reserve the right to reject any and all ads. All ads MUST be less than 250 characters (including spaces) and only
one ad per person or institution. You may submit your ad via e-mail: roundup@monolithicdome.com, fax: 972-
483-6662, or mail: Roundup, Monolithic Dome Institute, PO Box 479, Italy, TX 76651
LOST & FOUND
Can anyone tell me the old-fashioned recipe
for sarsparilla like my great grandmother
made? Please send to Robert Ciborowski
111Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14620-3005
BUILDERS
Announcing New Northwest Builder! We
will assist you in every phase of your
project; from planning, through ground-
breaking, through building the home of
your dreams! Evergreen Domes, PO Box 44,
Yelm, WA 98597-0044. Phone (360) 458-4941
Fax (360) 458-4957
Canadian Dome Builder Will travel
anywhere in western Canada. Have built
several domes, design and engineering
available. Experienced Crew. Please contact:
Frank Jensen @ (250) 344-6221 fax (250) 344-
6239 Tel or write to Box 385 Golden B.C.
VOA 1H0
Licensed contractor with 18 years
experience and certified dome builder will
assist owner/builder with dome needs,
advanced shell design, project planning,
construction cost analysis, shell/interior
construction, passive solar/interior design.
Contact Genesis 2000 dome builders
Network 415-892-5438 Tel/Fax
Rocky Mountain Dome Co. accomplished
Monolithic Dome builders. Call Walter at
(208) 267-8596 or in the after hours (208)
267-8994
Have Foam Gun, Will Travel anywhere in the
United States to foam your Monolithic
Dome home. Call Paul Gaviorno (972) 223-
3721 (day).
26 years of Foam Experience (since 1971)
We have the equipment to build your
dome. Detail is our specialty. Located in
Trinidad, CO will travel “reasonable”
distances. Call Jack Soderstrom @ Jack of
All 800-707-Jack (5225)
BUILDER ASSISTANCE
High Powered Marketing Video: For those
wanting to sell and promote Monolithic
Domes, produced this year, all types and
uses of domes, excellent narration and
music. $9.95 + Shipping and Handling. Ray
-972-918-0435
Civil Engineer: Experienced dome designer,
180' diameter spherical and 120' diameter
elliptical. Licensed in N.Y., CA, and Nevada. I
can prepare your calculations for Dept. of
Bldg. & Safety Plan Check. M. Goulding,
8616 La Tijera Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045-
3945 (310) 645-0490 Tel/fax
How-to Book: Building foam dome houses.
Detailed book shows how-to design/build,
including price estimates. Send $9.95 +
$3.99 SH to Xanadu c/o Ken Johnson 7625
Hwy. 179, Sedona AZ. 86351. Also have
picture paks - 8 beautiful pictures of
“Xanadu” house of the future. Add $3 for
pictures.
San Francisco Dome Architect has new
website. Jonathan Zimmerman (415) 861-
3680 www.wco.com/~domes
SUMMER 1997 | ROUNDUP
Classifieds
EQUIPMENT & BUILDING MATERIALS
Concrete Grout Pump, 25 yards/hour. Air
Compressor 315 CFM—6 cylinder diesel.
Electric scissor lift 4'x8'x18' reach. Triple axel
trailor $17,500. 541-298-4327
EcoShell AirForm complete with clamp
angles 40' x 20' for $3,000 with the purchaser
paying freight. Inflator For Sale. Never used.
Originally $400 asking $250. D. Larsen, P.O.
Box 1314, Castle Rock, CO 80104, (303) 372-
8538 Tel
Reed Gunnite Pump, 150 ft. of 1.5 hose and
airhose also misc. nozzles and replacement
parts $3000. Gusmer Model FF Foam
Machine may need seals. Reduced to $2,500.
Package price for both (208) 263-4625
Targhee 200 EHP Used for sale used to build
55' dia. dome. Well maintained. Has one 25ft
and two 50ft hoses, complete nozzle, four
2” couplings, three 25ft x 1” compressor
hoses, extra internal pump line. $11,000
crating, freight extra (704) 788-6278.
Surplus Skylights: 3 feet square, single
skylight on a rectangular curb, ideal for
metal buildings, and storages, $25 each,
brand new condition, never used. Call
Monolithic 972-483-7423
FINANCING
Mortgages in ALL states contact Bob or
Martie Chaplin of Carlisle Funding. 1701
West Northwest Hwy, Suite 117, Grapevine,
TX 76051. Tel 817-329-1991, Fax 817-329-1994
HOME ACCESSORIES
For Sale to Dome Builders: Versatile Early
American kitchen cabinets designed for
Dome Construction, available completely
finished or kit. All hardware, materials
supplied. For pricing and information,
SASE #10 to SPC, % Frank Fry, Box 11696
Pueblo, CO 81001-696
If you are building the ultimate home, why
not have the ultimate power system. Solar
Utility Network can provide you with
everything you need to be Energy
Independent. Call or write for Free
Information: Solar Utility Network P.O. Box
154008, Waco, Texas 76715 Phone: 817-799-
4909
Pouring hot water down the drain? Shame!
Don’t hang sheetrock or glue drains until
you call about G.F.X. waste water heat
recovery. G.M.X. Magnets condition water
without salt, prevent scale & dissolve what
you have, plus lower bills. The water guys-
ers 800-851-9891
Passive Solar Consulting for domes Nick
Pine, engineer, 821 Collegeville Road,
Collegeville, PA 19426, (610) 489-0545,
nick@ece.vill.edu
CONVENTIONS
GREEN BUILDING CONFERENCE Austin,
Texas. October 30th to November 2nd, 1997.
24 national speakers with leading edge
green projects. 200 exhibitors. Cost: $70.
512-264-0004 http://www.greenbuilder.com/
conference/aus97.html • nick_denner@
greenbuilder.com
PROPERTY & INVESTMENTS
Property Available: Partner needed to
utilize prime property in Sedona, AZ.
Investment potential for environmental
direction of dome construction as a home
or possible rental unit or units. Call Mason
Rumney @ 520-282-4448 or write: P.O. Box
3439 West Sedona, AZ 86340
SUB·TERA·DOME·HOMES They said it
couldn’t be done: A Do-It-Yourselfer
affordable housing Average 2,450 Sq. Ft.
Larry N. McGahhey P.O. Box 423 Dothan,
Alabama 36302 (334) 794-5813 Investor
Inquiries Welcome. Planning 65 unit
subdivision, need help.
“ECO-OP” at Colorado Hotspring on 28
acres near Colorado Springs: seeking four
or five compatible adults to co-create a
circular off-grid home or duplex. Location
could support a natural health center, art
and education centers, and small retreat
too. Karla Crescenta, 1018 W. Pikes Peak,
Colorado Springs, Co 80904
Seeking Investors to establish dome homes
in North Carolina. Contact New Construc-
tion Concepts, Inc. 919-967-2555
Florida Beach Time share in St. Petersburg
Beach. 1 bedroom Week #17 - 1 week, New
cam-corder in the box over 50% discount.
Call: Pete Kostecki (618) 876-7977 Evenings
Do You Need High Interest Investment help
save for your new dome? We pay 12% for 1
year; 28% for 2 years; 42% for 3 years.
Accounts insured; returned guaranteed.
Holbrook Agency 972-298-6624, Box 211,
Desoto, TX 75123
WANTED
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29
President’s Sphere
Living for Tomorrow
By David B. South
T
he major portion of all property tax
and a significant amount of other tax
dollars go to the education of our
children. As they are our future, it is as it
should be. A significant cost of education is
the construction and the maintenance of
the buildings. The use of Monolithic Domes
for educational structures reduce this cost
and hence saves substantial tax dollars.
Energy consumption to heat and cool
the Monolithic Domes is minimum of 50
percent less than conventional buildings.
A recent comparison of building costs by
the State of Arizona shows conventional
schools were 23 percent more expensive
to build. Maintenance costs are much less.
Total cost divided by the life span, is
the real measure of building costs.
Conventional schools are designed for a
life span of 30-50 years. Extended life
spans are achieved using extensive and
expensive maintenance. Often the
buildings are in ruins by the time the
bonds are paid. Monolithic Dome
buildings, on the other hand, have a life
span measured in centuries. With a
minimum of maintenance they will be
useful for many future generations.
Often schools serve as the hub of the
community. During times of disaster they
become emergency shelters. A school
building should be able to withstand
hurricane, earthquakes, or even torna-
does — the Monolithic Dome will survive
them all.
The energy savings of the Monolithic
Dome verses the conventional building
are huge. If the savings are adjusted for
inflation and invested in a bond savings
account, they will equal the cost of the
building within 20-30 years. School
districts can use savings to buy comput-
ers or give the teachers a pay raise.
A modern Monolithic school also makes
a statement to the students, teachers and
the communities. There is a new century
ahead, and we should prepare for it. It is
time to use more efficient building proce-
dures and move away from the “throw
away” society to the “permanent.”
30
The Roundup: Journal of the
Monolithic Dome Institute
This is our first issue of the new,
improved, full color “Roundup” maga-
zine. We are excited about it. We have
great plans for it. We hope it pleases you,
the reader.
“The Roundup” is the official journal of
the Monolithic Dome Institute. We hope
you see the benefits of this magazine and
support us with your subscriptions. Your
comments are always appreciated. And we
do thank you for your support.
In addition to the Roundup, the Mono-
lithic Dome Institute will continue to
conduct training seminars, workshops, and
provide basic information for those getting
started in the business. We also provide
advanced information for those who have
projects underway. It is the mission of the
Monolithic Dome Institute to promote and
inform. As we grow, the Monolithic Dome
Institute will provide advanced training and
certification programs.
The Internet: a tool for our use
Please visit our Internet web site at:
http://www.monolithicdome.com. We
will keep it fresh and useful. It will
contain tips, news, features and in depth
construction information.
Petite Housing: Oberon IV
A Petite home at a reasonable price is a
three bedroom home with a den/guest
room/4th bedroom. The master bed-
room is spacious with its own bath.
The other bedrooms are compact.
Each has a built in upper bunk bed with a
ROUNDUP | SUMMER 1997
The Oberon IV is a 32 foot diameter dome. It
has 804 square feet of floor area, three
bedrooms, kitchen, den, and two
bathrooms. A small 10 foot
EcoShell sits outside
for storage.
closest and desk underneath. The home
can be built without the den. This makes
a larger great room.
The Oberon IV is 32 feet in diameter
(804 square feet). It is affordable by many
who otherwise wind up in dumpy
apartments or trailers. My estimate for
the completed building (totally con-
tracted out) will be $35 to $45 thousand
depending on level of finish, local costs,
and number of units. Add $5000 for a lot,
$1500 for storage, and $1500 for a
carport. Can you imagine a nicer unit for
a single mom with 2 or 3 children. The
power bill for this home will be less than
half of any other comparable housing.
The point is there is a way to solve
part of the housing crisis in the U.S.,
especially in rural areas. It must be done
by building small (Petite) housing units
that are attractive, permanent and
affordable. They should fit on small lots
with small streets. There needs to be
many parks and green belts. Built as
rental units the Oberon IV will bring a
good return to the landlord and be
affordable for the tenant.
Next issue we will deal with multifamily
housing, a partial answer for the cities. ¼
David B. South is the President of Mono-
lithic Dome Institute. He has always wanted
a small house, but his family is too big.
 MONOLITHIC MARKETPLACE
NEW
Dome Dwellings 97
House plans, photos, and infor-
mation for planning your own
Monolithic ™ Dome home. A
MUST for any future dome home
owner.
$14.95
NEW
Roundup
The Journal of the Monolithic
Dome Institute. This full-color
quarterly magazine includes
dome news, success stories, new
building techniques, new
equipment, and much more.
Quarterly, U.S. $14.95
International $19.95
Rick Crandall’s
Sketch Book
Sketches of schools, athletic
facilities, hotels, restaurants,
and more. Designed by noted
architect Frederick Crandall of
Mesa, Arizona.
$19.95
Construction of Shells Using
Air-Supported Forms
State of the art report by Dr.
Arnold Wilson, leading engineer
of Monolithic Domes. This ACI/
ASCE Committee report in-
cludes construction consider-
ations, quality insurance proce-
dures, and nozzleman certifica-
tion requirements.
$19.95
Domes & Uses
A comprehensive overview of the
Monolithic™ Dome and its uses.
It covers schools, homes, stadi-
ums, bulk storages, cold stor-
ages, churches, recreational fa-
cilities, prisons, jails, and more.
Very useful in “show-and-tell”
situations.
$12.95
Roundup Volumes
The compilation of all back is-
sues of the Roundup. These books
provide a complete history of
the Monolithic Dome and are an
endless wealth of information
regarding construction tech-
niques and developments.
Volume I, Jan 1986–Dec 1991
Volume II, Jan 1994–Dec 1994
Volume III, Jan 1995–Dec 1995
Volume IV, Jan 1996–Apr 1997
$19.95 Each
SUMMER 1997
© 1997
— Monolithic
™
Info Pak & Video The Training Pak (Video)
This one hour video ex- The Training Pak contains four video tapes
plains the Monolithic ™ and four booklets. David South and Randy
Dome construction pro- South (two of the three patent holders for the
cess and shows ex- Monolithic™ Dome) host approximately seven
amples of its uses and hours of video instruction on exactly how to
benefits. Plans, materi- build the Monolithic™ Dome. These tapes con-
als, costs, EcoShells ™, MonoQuads ™, and more tain the knowledge and experience of 20 years
are covered. Printed literature is included. in building thin-shell concrete domes. It is es-
VHS $19.95 sential to know this information before con-
structing a Monolithic™ Dome.
David and Randy South discuss approxi-
mately 200 topics such as “what is concrete?”
or how to “measure the aggregate.” These
EcoShell™ Video
subjects are explained in plain English and
The EcoShell™ structure
backed by video of the actual processes of
is the companion to the
construction.
Monolithic™ Dome. It is
The booklets provide supplementary writ-
used when an insulated
ten information. The Manual for Construction of
building is unnecessary.
the Monolithic ™ Dome contains step by step
The 45 minute video
details its use and construction. (The EcoShell ™ instructions on the construction process and
video is included on tape 2 of the Training Pak.) is a valuable reference to the construction vid-
VHS $19.95 eos. The second booklet contains all specifica-
tions and drawings of the Dione Home. You
will also receive the Domes and Uses book and
Dome Dwellings 97.
Photographs The tapes also include information on the
Forty 3½” x 5” pictures of Monolithic ™ Dome EcoShell™ structures. The Training Pak cost of
homes, churches, schools, and storages, plus $250 will be credited toward your first Air-
EcoShell ™ structures, and more. All in easy to form™ — thus the Training Pak is FREE!
use 8½” x 11” binder sleeves. Four VHS Video Tapes, $250.00
Photo Group #1, $17.00
Slides with Video Charge card orders
Sixty-five slides of the Monolithic Dome pro-
1-800-608-0001
™
cess and its uses. Great for large presentations.
Included is a video explanation of each slide.
Slide Show & VHS Video, $65.00
Monolithic Dome Institute
PO Box 479, Italy TX 76651
Please send me the items indicated below. My check
or money order in the full amount (or charge card
information) is enclosed.
Jackets
Nylon taffeta shell jacket of 100% nylon fabric NAME
with Monolithic ™ Dome, “Natures Perfect ADDRESS
Shape” logo in white. Drawstring bottom, rag-
lan sleeves, and 7-snap-front closure. CITY STATE ZIP
Specify size (S-XL), Dark Green, $18.95 TELEPHONE
QTY TITLE PRICE
T-Shirts
Crew neck T-Shirt made of 50% polyester and
50% cotton. White with dark green Monolithic ™
Dome, “Natures Perfect Shape” logo or dark
green with white logo.
Specify size and color (S-XL), $6.95
Ball Cap
Universal and adjustable size with white Mono-
lithic ™ Dome, “Natures Perfect Shape” logo. TOTAL ORDER
Black or Green.
ADD $5 FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING
Specify color, $6.95 (EXCEPT ROUNDUP SUBSCRIPTIONS)
Twelve or more, $4.95 each
TEXAS RESIDENTS ADD 8.25% SALES TAX
TOTAL ENCLOSED
No CODs. Send check or money order; or charge to:
Home Loans q VISA q Master Card q Discover q AMEX
Instructions and applications to get you on
NAME
your way to building your dream dome. Fill
out the forms and mail them directly to the CARD NO. EXPIRES
mortgage companies. The package is FREE, but
SIGNATURE
please send five dollars for shipping costs.
| ROUNDUP
31
Constructors, Inc. Monolithic, Airform, EcoShell, and MonoQuad are trademarks of Monolithic Constructors, Inc. 970621
 BULK RATE
Monolithic Dome Institute US Postage
Tel: 972-483-7423 • Fax: 972-483-6662 PAID
http://www.monolithicdome.com Italy, TX
PO Box 479 • Italy, TX 76651-0479 Permit #6