Their smallest design is the Garden/Backyard Dome which is approximately 12 feet in diameter, provides 100 square feet of floor space and can be built on a small stem wall to provide additional height. The advantage of this size dome is that it falls under building permit requirements and yet provides a spacious and calm ambience. Curved by Design also features two small designs: the 24 Foot Open Plan dome which is ideal as a relaxing yoga studio, a spacious conference room, or a guest house and the 24 Foot One Bedroom dome which can accomodate one spacious bedroom, a full bath and kitchen, a cozy living room and plenty of storage.

Curved by Design uses prefabricated wood panels in their designs. These panels have been created in a controlled environment with a high degree of quality, repeatability and consistency so they allow for fast and efficient on-site set-up and assembly that requires minimal labor. In fact, a typical structure can be assembled on site and ready for siding and shingle application in less than a week. The company also uses natural and renewable wood materials in the manufacturing of the curved panels, most notably the use of two-foot mill trim ends that continue to be considered as industry “wood waste”. They are categorized in this way due to the fact that the construction industry does not use shorter lengths of wood. Short pieces of solid wood (typically spruce, fir and pine) are an essential component in the formation of the panels.

From both the wood panel design and construction techniques these domes have been proven to withstand extreme seismic and load forces through testing that was completed at the University of British Columbia’s Earthquake Research Facility. The structures also have a complete open span interior since no truss or interior load bearing walls are required. This allows complete adaptability to the end use purpose and functionality of the building. The domes themselves are also relatively light and do not need special foundations. Typically domes are built on a concrete slab, crawl space or full foundation. Small domes with a stiffened floor system can also be placed on pad foundations.

Several advantages to building dome structures for any type of home or building is:

• The sphere is nature’s most efficient shape, and a dome covers the most living area with the least amount of surface area. When compared with a similar-sized rectangular-shaped house, a dome home will have 30% less surface area and use at least 1/3 less lumber.
• As domes have less surface area, they reduce the amount of energy required to heat or cool the interior space; less heat is transferred to and from its surroundings.
• Though a dome uses less material, it is unquestionably stronger than a rectangular-shaped house using stick-frame manufacturing. Dome structures have unparalleled strength and a natural ability to withstand immense earthquake, hurricane and snow load forces.
• A dome’s more compact footprint saves perimeter shell and foundation materials.

Curved by Design’s website says that the cost to build a dome is comparable to a stick-frame building, and in some cases can be less. The cost depends on the size and complexity of the dome’s shape as well as the level of completion the customer requires. Some people choose to do some or all of the finishing themselves. Others require a completely finished product – ready to move-in. Curved By Design Inc. finishes all projects to a minimum level of lock-up.

Photos courtesy of Curved by Design, Inc.

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

Japanese Dome House Website

The company is located in Japan, but the dome segments are made in their factory in South Korea. Several small “villages” of various sizes of the dome houses have been built in Japan, where the design has been approved by the Japanese Ministry of Land and Transport. This building system can also be adapted for small businesses, storage areas or bathhouses.

However, the website says that this type of construction is “semi-permanent”. I asked Dome House International what they meant by that statement and the company said that their product’s structural material, expanded polystyrene, lasts semi-permanently because it could be affected by UV light, chemicals or heat. The material is covered with a special coating that protects it from damage. The Dome Houses have not been experimented on, but Dome House International claims that they can last for 300 years. They also said that there has been several cases where expanded polystyrene has been used for decades, and when the buildings were renovated, the material had not been damaged at all.

The Dome House can be built by assembling separate dome pieces. Each dome piece weighs about 175 pounds. It will take three to four people about a week to complete a Dome House. The basic model is about 22 feet in diameter, but separate domes can be added together to make larger buildings. Since expanded polystyrene is made only from carbon and hydrogen, casting of expanded polystyrene is extremely clean. Construction of the Dome House does not produce any waste, nor does it involve any deforestation.

The Dome Houses have beautiful, simple interiors with lots of light. They have no corners, so each dome is open for interpretation and interior design. The Dome House is simple, since it is a prefabricated building with a small number of parts. Because the construction of the Dome House requires only minimal manpower and a very short period of time, it is possible to reduce the substantial amount of labor costs. Prices on the U.S. website will be available soon. However, the prices on the Japanese website for the basic dome are about 3 million yen or about $33,000, not including shipping. The prices and specifications for domes in other countries will be different.

Benefits of the International Dome House

• Ultra-thermal insulating
• Semi-permanent durability
• Wind resistant
• Earthquake resistant
• Short assembly time
• Low cost
• Good for people with chemical sensitivities

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

Peter’s inspiration came from throwing giant pots. Peter was throwing large pots, and they became architectural, it prompted him to investigate ceramic houses, this led to the masonry system you see in these pictures.

Peter graduated from the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University with a degree in Masonry Science.  Peter combined his experiences in Fine Art and Ceramic Engineering.  This masonry system was identified as a Cutting Edge Technology by the American Concrete Institute.  These blocks can be made on any production block machine, either Besser or Columbia.

Peter has also worked with the Vocational School of Masonry at Alfred State College, located in Wellsville, NY.

These are some details of a masonry cupola Peter is building atop a concrete block dome.  The cupola will have a glass block dome on top of it.  The cupola weighs over 6 tons, indicating the strength of the concrete block dome.

Here’s an interior view of the block dome, with cupola being built in center.

Interior view of one of the domes.  Loft is arranged as a yin yang between loft and negative space, keeps a sense of openness.

These domes are in the forest, and Peter get lots of wildlife.  One night a bear tried to enter, you can see what he did to the door.

Energy efficient Eco-pod Home

Rene just sent this to me and I really think it is cool, what do you think?

An ‘eco-pod’ home, which promises to be more energy efficient than standard houses, has been shown at this year’s Grand Designs show at London’s ExCel Centre.

Eco Hab is committed to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint, by building a range of the highest performing energy efficient Eco friendly Homes.

Every step has been taken during the design and construction of our Eco Pods, to minimise the Homes demand and dependency of fossil fuels.

This has been achieved by incorporating the following features into the Eco Pod:

• High level of thermal insulation giving an overall U value
of up to .18 for the 4m pod and .16 for the 6m pod
• Sealed Envelope (no air leakage)
• Hot air recovery ventilation
• Wood/ solid fuel burning stove
• Under floor heating
• Full recycling facility (5 separate waste shoots)
• Factory built (controlled work environment)

Optional extras:

• Solar Panels – PV Panels /Wind Turbine /Thermal storage tank
• Backup Generator – dry toilet – rain water harvesting

To learn more visit the Eco Hab website.

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Sarah wrote me about the new Monolithic Cabin and wanted me to share it with everyone. I had seen it in it’s early design stage but wanted to wait tell they had photographs to show you this unique cabin. It is not going to win a beauty contest but portability and durability will rank high for this tiny home. Here are some details about this cabin.

The Monolithic Cabin is a modified Monolithic Dome – like a tunnel with rounded ends. These domes all have a diameter (width) of 12 feet, but their total length and interior space depends on the model.

Model 15 has a length of 15 feet and a living area of 150 square feet. Model 18 is 18 feet long and 201 square feet. Model 24 is 24 feet long and 266 square feet. All models are a nominal 10 feet high, from bottom of crossbeams to top of roof.

David South, President of Monolithic, sees the Monolithic Cabin as “one of the most versatile, small domes we have ever designed. It’s really an all-purpose unit!

“We manufacture these cabins here, at our headquarters in Italy, Texas and load one or two of them on a truck for transport to the client’s site,” David says. “They weigh about 9 to 14 tons, are definitely shippable and require only a small amount of land.”

The Monolithic Cabin can be used as a rental unit, eco-housing or granny flat, disaster shelter, workshop, office or studio, game room, vacation dome, exercise room, temporary housing for work crews or home builders, guest house or storage. They can be designed as single living units or combined with others. The list goes on and on!

To learn more go to the Monolithic Cabin site. They are quite reasonable price wise,  you can get a completely furnished unit for less than $40,000. A unique home worth looking into.

Monolithic Dome rentals are now available! Built on private country real estate giving you the small-town environment. Most units include a bathroom with shower, basin and toilet; a kitchen with stove, refrigerator, table and chairs; a furnished sleeping area; heating and air conditioning. You can find out more at the  Monolithic Dome rentals site.

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I was planning on writing a couple of book reviews today but discovered this on materialicious and really liked it and wanted to share it with you. The design is so simple but it looks so cool, it reminds me of a wine barrel or a boat flipped upside down for a tiny living space.

The Pod, what is it? Well it’s a rather well built, insulated wooden hut that provides basic accommodation much in the way of a tent.

The POD is designed to be comfortable – the roofing material is designed to cut down the noise of heavy rain. The window and lockable French doors are double glazed to reduce condensation and provide sound insulation. The wood used in the construction is a naturally ‘warm’ material but to provide extra winter warmth we have installed sheep’s wool insulation inside the walls while a special foil layer under the roof helps keep summer temperatures in check. There is a small, high level window in the back wall this not only provide light but will help keep the living space well ventilated and aid ‘through draft’ on hot summer days.

The Pod is wonderfully enigmatic – it is many things to many people. It has real presence but does not impose. It is a complex shape, but is beautiful in its simplicity. It is a blank canvas which can be a basic shelter or soft-furnished to be as sumptuous and elegant as you like. It seems to occupy a curious niche in our psyche that takes us back to the very roots of civilization on earth.

It is the cave dwelling, the Romany caravan, the meditation cell, the primitive hut that our instincts inform us is the comfort zone that our ancestors knew well!

Built in the UK and available all over the country to rent, at this time you will have to go to the UK to test them out. I’d sure like to see them brought to the states. Visit The POD website to see more pictures and learn more about this great little shelter.

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One of my favorite cabins that I discovered recently is the Igloo Satellite Cabin. I first saw this at materialicious and have sense been in contact with Anthea Wallhead of Icewall One in Australia where the igloo satellite cabin is made. At the current exchange rate, a basic igloo will costs approx $8,500 USD plus shipping. Here is a little history of this neat dome cabin:

Igloo Satellite Cabin

Designed to provide safe, reliable accommodation in remote areas, the Igloo Satellite Cabin has been used for over 25 years in conditions ranging from the tropics to polar icecaps. Units can be flown by helicopter fully assembled, and often fully equipped, to locations inaccessible by road transport. Igloos are ideal short-term accommodation for exploration and research, as well as an attractive alternative for eco-tourism.

Each wall and floor panel is a composite of fiberglass and polyurethane insulation with an R rating of .904m2K/W.  Windows are double-glazed polycarbonate panes, which are shockproof. Floor panels have a non-skid surface, and are bolted to wall panels and to each other. Each cabin has two ventilators, one in each door and top cover.

Igloos can be lengthened to six or more metres by adding sets of extension panels, or interlinked by tunnels to provide a complete weatherproof base. All Igloos are customized to suit specific requirements and are available in a range of colours and configurations. Basic assembly tools, bolts, sealant tie-down lines, assembly instructions and brochures are supplied with each order.

There is a great article over at the Australian Antarctic Division’s web site if you would like additional information.

To learn more contact Anthea Wallhead at Icewall One.

Google Office Space

Assembly

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If your looking for basic shelter with a very limited budget. Check out World Shelters U-Dome. a 200 sq ft 12 feet tall dome structure. This may be just what you are looking for to get started in a tiny house living structure.

The U-Dome is a versatile, all-weather shelter that can withstand extreme heat and cold, significant wind, and light snow loads with proper installation. They are made with materials that resist rot and mildew, patterns that can easily incorporate local materials, and they are re-usable. Joist floor plans, included with purchase.

Options include pre-hung screen and aluminum double door. Windows and vents. Use a highly efficient electric or propane heater. Off-grid options such as solar and wind, water collection and cistern and composting toilets, allow you to place this just about anywhere.

At $1545 plus options and your floor how can you beat this price?

To learn more visit the World Shelter site.

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CalEarth’s Eco-Dome can be built out of nothing more than dirt, barbed wire, and the same kind of polyethylene bags used to make sandbags to contain floods. The house will probably last longer if you mix some cement with the dirt, but it’s not absolutely necessary.

The bags come in the form of a continuous tube, and the house is constructed of layers of dirt-filled “snakes,” with barbed wire laid between them to keep them from moving.

This 400 sq. ft. home is one of CalEarth’s plans that can be built from the dirt on your land.

It’s 21st-century adobe: faster and easier than traditional adobe construction, because you don’t have to make and dry individual bricks. This construction technique can be learned quickly by anyone, and is about the cheapest possible way to build lasting shelter. But these are by no means temporary buildings; they are so robust that they meet California building codes.

Plans and a DVD and bags are available at the CalEarth’s Eco-Dome web site.

Eco-Dome video of the construction:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMNzoWkXTtc

Eco-Dome pictures of the structure.

I like the unusual which you may have noticed by some of the tiny houses represented in the tiny house blog.

I also would like to spread our wings and include tiny houses from around the world. The DomeSpace originates in France but also has an office in the U.S.

This is there smallest dome and they also make much larger sizes.

Domespace produce spruce, pine and oak wooden domes for tiny house living (above is their Transit 4,35 model) with the added bonus that it is largely hurricane resistant. According to the brochure, the whole thing is rotatable (using a remote control from inside, the movement is not noticeable), light, warm, has good humidity, and is spacious with cork insulation. Options include solar panels.

If your French is a bit rusty try the Solaleya site, the US distributor but the best photos are at the French site.

The above article was written by Alex of the ShedWorking site in the UK.

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