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Business/Finance See other Business/Finance Articles Title: Home Sweet Dome: The Monolithic houses dotting the country that protect against tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires Domes are constructed from concrete ring foundations, an inflated Airform, reinforced with steel and coated with polyurethane foam and a mix of concrete The size and number of domes vary according to homeowners' preferences One dome dweller already lost a 'conventional' house to fire and another saw his family home destroyed by Hurricane Katrina Owners say they can go to sleep or on vacation without worrying about something happening to their houses They admit that dome dwelling is not for everyone - and that 'drive-by' curious onlookers are a fact of life Driving down I-35 in Texas, between Waco and Dallas, there’s a curious site just off the interstate. It looks like a massive, comical caterpillar rising up from the arid land, complete with antennae and smiling eyes; its sides are decorated with frolicking, painted cowboy boots. The structure could easily be mistaken for an art installation or whimsical tourist trap, but the building is, in fact, a 14,000 square foot factory. The Monolithic Institute in Italy, Texas calls its caterpillar factory Bruco, and it is within his bowels that a curious choice of home design begins to come to life. Monolithic Domes are constructed from concrete ring foundations, reinforced with steel, and an inflated fabric Airform which creates the shape of the home – which is coated with polyurethane foam and a special spray mix of concrete. The homes are energy efficient and highly durable, built to withstand tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires. They’re the domestic choice for hundreds of homeowners and families across the country; every year, the Institute hosts workshops for people interested in learning how to build domes - and also conducts feasibility studies to help evaluate plans for such dwellings. Here, a few dome dwellers share snapshots of their near-indestructible dwellings – and their reasons for living without edges and angles. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4477516/Home-Sweet-Dome- Monolithic-houses-USA.html#ixzz4gaQOERAb Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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