Welcome Dome 2006! Yeah, it's been a while for any updates on this site! What can I say? We've been very busy with projects around the place and trying to squeeze in some sailing and social activities in between. Keith and his business partner Jack started up WaveWorks, Inc. and have been busily manufacturing racing surfskis for Twogood Kayaks Hawaii, Inc. I'll post some pictures of that venture when I get a chance. I've been increcibly busy with work all year which is good financially, but not so good for squeezing in fun. Maija has been chasing lots of sticks in the river and learning how to haul firewood. We hope that everyone has had an enjoyable summer! Keith, Saara, Kale & MaijaSeptember 27, 2006 2005 ArchiveUpdate 01.13.20052004 Archive Update 06.11.2004Miscellaneous Photos 2004Introducing KaleAnnie RIP 11.24.2003 2003 Archive
My Domestead I bought a 33 year old, 100% off the grid, double geodesic dome near the town of Ward back in 2001. It sits at about 9000 feet, miles from the nearest power or phone line. There are 3 power systems running throughout. In addition to the domes, there is a garage with an apartment built into it. Originally there was no phone service at all, and to use a cell phone, you had to walk to the top of the hill behind the house. For some pictures taken when I bought this place, go here. Solar Panels Solec There are currently 2 #10160 panels on the domes. ARCO Solar International There are currently 8 16-2000 panels on the domes. Wind Generators World Power Technologies There is a still working Whisper 400 wind generator. Parris-Dunn There is also a 5KWatt wind generator. Other Electronics Heart Interface The original inverter was a Heart HF-24-2500X, which is a 24V input, 2500 Watt output, using a modified sine wave to get 60Hz. Trace Engineering 4024 Trace Engineering DC 250 RV Products SolarBoost 50
Finish work I'm calling this phase "finish", but at this point, the word "start" might be more appropriate. There's a lot to do here! We're using Timberline's precut finish-grade plywood panels instead of drywall for the dome interior, a more economical alternative. The panels are being fixed to the frame with a finish nailer. We used a coat of primer followed by a coat of Dulux Lifemaster low v.o.c. paint on the panels before putting them up, and are simply painting the trim and doing touchups after the panels are in place. We figured it would be easier to get the bulk of the painting done while the panels were still on the ground. The insulation we chose was a polyurethane spray foam insulation known as Icynene. The basement stairs and the steps to the second floor were built by myself. A few more pictures...
The Case Of The Disappearing Dome Can a Monolithic Dome home that is three stories high and that has a diameter of 55 feet just disappear? Almost — if it’s built on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and if it’s painted a pale blue and if a fog creeps up that bluff. Barbara Stitt, who together with husband Paul own this dream-come-true Monolithic Dome home, said, “On a slightly foggy day, the house just about disappears, which is what we wanted.” The Stitts achieved that effect by choosing just the right shade of blue paint for the outside of their Airform. Wisconsin’s first Monolithic Dome Besides the ability to almost disappear, this dome is unique in other ways. Manitowoc, whose name means “home of the great spirit,” abounds in colorful sites and historic structures, including the Kresge Building that from 1929 to 1986 had both a five-and-dime store and a 25-cent store with a wall separating the two. Located on a 1.7-acre site, this home’s three stories provide 4000 square feet of living space.
Refried Domes It was the call last night that finally did it. “Lloyd, a friend of mine just built a dome in Big Sur and wants to know what to cover it with.” A few days earlier there had been the call from a dome designer I’d met back in the dome glory days. He said there was so much call for information that now he was looking to republish a book he’d written on domebuilding. — Deja vu, all over again. I started building domes in Big Sur in 1966. With all the interest in domes and other alternative concepts of the times, and due to the extent of our dome design and experimentation, we soon became the focus and clearing house for the counterculture’s domebuilding movement of the late ’60s/’70s. By 1970 it was obvious that there was enough information and interest for some type of publication. By then we had built 17 domes at Pacific High School, and to tell the truth, the workmanship was less than exquisite. Two years was about as long as the school lasted in full force. “Aren’t domes passé?” See also:
Dome Homes: Recommended dome home manufacturers. Dome Homes USA: Dome Homes: Dome Home Manufacturers Timberline Geodesic Domes: Dome Homes. The Timberline website has a Scrapbook page, with photos from many happy owners of dome homes. You may also like to visit our USA product guides on: Modular Buildings, and Portable Buildings. We recommend the following professional construction directories, which include standard specifications, manufacturers' specs, and CAD details: 4Specs at www.4specs.com, Arcat at www.arcat.com, Arcom at www.arcomnet.com, Reed at www.reedfirstsource.com, Sweets at www.sweets.construction.com. Roofing Product Guides: Asphalt Shingles, Cedar Shingles, Corrugated Roofing, Gutters, Roll Roofing, Roof Drains, Roof Flashing, Roof Shingles, Roof Vents, Roofing Shingles, Roofing Tiles, Rubber Roofing, Solar Shingles. Publisher: Abacus Construction Index is a professionally edited directory of recommended construction websites, published by Extonet Ltd.
The Dome Geeks TheHoskensProject Blog at OwnerBuilderBook.com - Home for Owner-Builders Brian's Forum Posts: 86Journal Entries: 150Interview Answers: 248Average Forum Rating: 3.89 Image from Brian's blog Subscribe to this journal... This journal has been viewed 58320 times. Mold cleaned off, temporary electric run to permanent feed Posted to TheHoskensProject by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 12/31/2013 2:22:27 PM We got all the mold scrubbed,power washed, and bleached off the dome. Photos Finished the penny tile panels Posted to TheHoskensProject by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 12/24/2013 1:39:52 PM FInally finished the panels for the bathtub apron. Time to re-paint already! Posted to TheHoskensProject by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 12/23/2013 6:49:46 PM It's been about 5 years since we painted the dome. We picked a floor...it's on order. Posted to TheHoskensProject by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 9/30/2013 8:20:58 AM After a lot of consideration, we decided on a peel and stick-down vinyl wood plank floor. a little insurance HELP? Need I say more?