Building a Dome

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The following pictures display the step by step construction process for one of our dome structures. In this case it is an affordable-income home, 1017 square feet, 3 bedrooms, one bath, built in south Dallas. We built the home on a lot surrounded by older homes, predominantly occupied by home owners. There was much interest on the dome structure by the local home owners, and there were no objections to our modern structure. We used a bright exterior color to make a splash—which we certainly did as you'll see in the exterior pictures.




		House in south Dallas. All pictures by Maurice Dubois

The ring form is is prepared for the foundation. This will be a monolithic foundation—the structural beams and the slab will be poured all at once.

Concrete is poured to make one "monolithic" slab, joining the trenched beams with the floor slab. Note the massive amount of steel in the slab. There will be additional steel placed vertically around the outside perimeter as soon as the concrete is placed, and before it sets. That steel will connect the slab to the dome to make one incredibly massive, cohesive structure.

The airform has been inflated—interior view. The visible light is exterior daylight. The vertical bars have been bent down in preparation for interior work. The first step in this particular dome is the building and installation of door and window bucks.

Exterior of the inflated dome after the door and window bucks have been installed, prior to spraying of insulation on the inside.

The final layer of insulation has been sprayed. The horizontal steel reinforcing bars are being placed against the insulation.

The steel installation has been completed and the dome is ready for the first coat of shotcrete.

The dome is completed and the inflators have been removed. Flatwork is in the process of being poured.

Construction of window and door dormers. The critical process here will be welding of the dormer covering with the airform to complete a water-tight installation.

The house is finished and ready for occupancy.


	Copyright © 2005-2008 Maurice Dubois - Prices of services and buildings subject to change without notice.