Keep on rowing.
This web site grew out of a desire to create a work space that would be energy efficient and affordable. A bear-bones structure built with wood sticks and tin covering runs about 10 dollars a square foot. It fits the affordability criteria but they are not very energy efficient. I started looking at monolithic domes, and the more I looked the more I came to believe that I could build one that would meet my needs.
My final elliptical design turned out to be 28.8 by 43.2 feet giving 977 square feet of floor space. This would give me a well insulated shop that would hold two cars with plenty of room left over. The research, design, and construction to date has been on a time available basis and stretched out over five years.
The construction began last spring and continued until November (2005) when freezing temperatures put a halt to any concrete work. My intent was to do as much of the work myself with tools that are readily available. The first time of anything requires the climbing of a learning curve. I have documented my project along with the mistakes I made so that others can learn from them.
If I build a second one, I believe that it could be completed in less than two months from start to finish. By working 40 hour weeks, I believe a realistic schedule would be:
| Build Airform | 5 days | ||
| Prep site | 2 | ||
| Build foundation form | 4 | ||
| Place Cement in form | 2 | ||
| Cure Cement | 3 | ||
| Attach and Inflate Dome | 2 | ||
| Add Airlock | 1 | ||
| Spray foam | 1 | ||
| Place Rebar Hangers | 3 | ||
| Spray first inch concrete | 1 | ||
| Hang Rebar | 3 | ||
| Spray second inch concrete | 1 | ||
| Spray last inch concrete | 1 | ||
| Cure Concrete | 3 | ||
| Clean up overspray | 1 | ||
| Pore Concrete Floor | 3 | ||
| Doors/windows/electrical. | 5 | ||
| Total | 41 days |
To date, I have done everything myself with the exception of hiring a contractor for the foam. My intent is to finish the rebar and concrete work this spring. Check back later and I’ll let you know how things have worked out. - John Walden
Keep on rowing.