Dream home in a dome

News Type: Event — Seeded on Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:35 PM EDT

Article Source: myfoxtampabay.com

odd-news, dome, dream-home, low-utilities

What is your dream home? A cottage on the beach? A log cabin in the mountains? Gerry Merrell and her husband Bill had a funkier vision, and they're almost finished building it.

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Groups: CrossTheRiver
Regions: Tampa/Saint Petersburg

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2.1

{"commentId":8215432,"authorDomain":"maddad0467"}

maddad

Their house is actually a series of domes all linked together -- 6,000 square feet in all. Although the look is funky, it actually has practical money-saving features. The cost of heating and cooling is a fraction of what it would be if the Merrells had built a traditional home.

They also say it's hurricane proof because the wind just whips right over the over the top.

{"commentId":8215432,"threadId":"626691","contentId":"3026563","authorDomain":"maddad0467"}

1 vote

#1 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":8215956,"authorDomain":"jwms"}

Jeffrey Merrill

Looks like Ferrocrete construction!

They have been using it since the 1800 to build large yachts. Very interesting modern designs can be made with concrete, re-bar and wire mesh. I love the concept. Inexpensive, wind proof, fire proof and energy efficient.!!

6000sqft is a LOT of space for a home.

{"commentId":8215956,"threadId":"626691","contentId":"3026563","authorDomain":"jwms"}

1 vote

#2 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":8216050,"authorDomain":"maddad0467"}

maddad

i like the hurricane protection aspect too....will be researching the way to do this, think i would like to go for it myself someday. (depending on $$$)

{"commentId":8216050,"threadId":"626691","contentId":"3026563","authorDomain":"maddad0467"}

1 vote

#2.1 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":8217155,"authorDomain":"jwms"}

Jeffrey Merrill

lol I have already designed a ferrocrete house and houseboat...been thinking about a submarine design :) ...real simple process..although concrete is getting more and more expensive.

{"commentId":8217155,"threadId":"626691","contentId":"3026563","authorDomain":"jwms"}

#2.2 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":8221664,"authorDomain":"frostyone"}

frostyone

a friend of mind built a dome home in waveland mississippi not 9 months before Katrina hit. his house was one of the only buildings left standing. If you can get the financing it's a great house.

{"commentId":8221664,"threadId":"626691","contentId":"3026563","authorDomain":"frostyone"}

1 vote

#2.3 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:49 AM EDT

{"commentId":8226585,"authorDomain":"h-kuehn"}

Holly-348328

I love it! We had a fad in the 80's with geodesic homes and I think they are so cool. Of course I'm a nonconformist so I guess that figures.

{"commentId":8226585,"threadId":"626691","contentId":"3026563","authorDomain":"h-kuehn"}

1 vote

#3 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:45 AM EDT

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MADDAD

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Dream home in a dome

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