Dome structures with their own hands. Do-it-yourself construction of a domed house. Consent to the collection of personal data

Many residents of big cities are seriously thinking about building their own country house. After all, this is an opportunity to leave the stuffy and polluted city, crowded with people and anxiety. Outside the city, everyone has their own space, there is no need to worry about the neighbors. In addition, this is a great opportunity to raise your children in environmentally friendly conditions. Your heirs will always be healthy and full of strength.

Modern developers offer many options for those who want to get close to nature in the shortest possible time. After all, for example, a building made of bricks familiar to us is being built for a long period, so you will not be able to move into such a house quickly. Today, modern technologies and building materials are especially popular, which practically do not differ in strength from bricks, while being characterized by a more favorable price. One of these structures are spherical or domed houses. Owner reviews speak of a large number of advantages of such facilities.

The history of the domed house

Before proceeding with the construction of any structure, it is necessary to make a project. Its choice depends on the wishes of the owners, the external attractiveness of the future structure, its aesthetics and originality. It is domed houses that are especially popular today, photos of which you can see in our article. In the domestic construction market, these structures began to be erected in 2008, but they can in no way be attributed to the architectural inventions of our time.

Rounded buildings were erected in Old Byzantium. Often such buildings were built in northern countries, for whose inhabitants every winter the issue of heating the house was very acute. This type of structure was invented and patented in 1951 by Buckminster Fuller. To date, many domestic construction companies have mastered the construction of domed houses. Therefore, everyone can choose a suitable option for themselves and be sure that their future home will meet all their wishes.

Peculiarities

Modern domed houses intended for human habitation are characterized by an unusual design that does not allow exposure to adverse environmental factors. People living in spherical houses admit that the unusual geometry of the room causes a feeling of lightness and tranquility.

Thanks to the aerodynamic design of the building, the resistance of the house to strong gusty winds is enhanced. Such a structure will be more resistant than others in the event of seismic activity. The calculations carried out showed that the house will be able to endure fluctuations of the earth's crust of 10 points.

Cost calculation

It is very difficult to accurately calculate the total cost of the structure. After all, they often provide for the construction of extensions. Also, the cost of construction includes the method of finishing, and the materials that will be needed during the construction of the building. But the price of the main structure can be calculated using a special calculator. This program takes into account the way the ribs are connected, their cross section, and the radius of the base. Using it, you can get information about the number and types of vertices, faces, edges. As a result, a structured scheme will appear before you, according to which it will be possible to imagine the future domed house. The price for it depends only on the above factors.

The construction time for such a structure is on average about 3 months, taking into account the development and approval of the project. The price of a domed house is approximately 1/3 of the cost of a traditional dwelling due to less use of building materials. The cost of such a structure today is about 13,000 rubles per 1 m 2.

House construction

When drawing up almost all projects, a standard structure is initially calculated, the diameter of which is 8.1 m. This size is the main one for the development of private and standard projects.

“8 meters in diameter? It’s not enough!”, you say. But it seems so at first glance. It should be noted that the radius of the dome is also 8 meters. Then the base area will be 153 m 3, and the ceilings in the house will reach 7 meters.

Do you want to build a domed house? Planning is the initial stage, during which special attention is paid to the foundation of the building, because this is the base of any building. The characteristics of the base will directly depend on the type and mechanical properties of the soil.

Spherical houses at the construction stage are characterized by economical consumption of building materials. On laying the foundation, you can save 25-40%.

A domed house can have up to 5 outbuildings that will be added to the ground floor. They can be located in any of the 5 dome openings. This will not lead to a loss of rigidity of the system as a whole. Openings are used to connect verandas, domes, greenhouses, baths, etc. Thus, you can significantly expand the required area.

The final stage of construction is At this stage, planning is not required, so you can independently choose any architectural delights (mansards, lofts, rooms). This will not affect the strength of the structure in any way.

building material

The main material for the construction of domed houses are wooden beams filled with expanded polystyrene or fiberglass panels. These materials are characterized by minimum weight, high reliability. They are used as thermal insulation material. The thickness of 15 cm of insulating material is ideal for climate conditions in the middle zone. Such panels are very easy to install with normal wall thicknesses. Relatively recently, expanding foam mass has also been used for the same purposes.

It is a traditional roofing material. It has an attractive appearance, and its cost is not too high. This material is characterized by a large assortment, which makes it easy and simple to choose the right texture and shade.

A special design distinguishes all domed houses. Photos of various configurations, color shades, the use of various materials can be found in this article. In addition, the owner can choose the shape of the windows in the house. They can be rectangular, round, triangular or hexagonal. The window can be a decoration of an unusual facade. Thanks to the competent placement of window openings, you can save on lighting and even on heating in the future. After all, even in winter days, the house can receive additional solar heat.

Equipment and materials for interior decoration

The materials that are used for interior decoration of a domed house are varied:

  • Drywall.
  • Clapboard.
  • Plastic.
  • Decorative plaster.

You can choose the right materials to combine, which will make the overall interior spectacular and elegant. Some people try to build domed houses on their own. Feedback from the owners of self-built houses allows others to correctly assess their abilities and make a choice in favor of specialists or a company of close friends.

Installing a ventilation and heating system in such a house is also simple. For proper heating of the building, it is necessary to purchase and install heating devices. They should be the same as for an ordinary house, but with a capacity of 30% less.

A turnkey domed house will allow you not to control all stages of construction. You will be able to immediately move into a new suburban home.

Advantages of domed houses

Not much time has passed since 2008, but many families have already experienced all the benefits of living in domed houses. The main positive aspects of this building are:

  • An ideal even shape that can withstand gusts of wind, snow sticking. Dome houses are characterized by unusual aerodynamics, which ensures perfect wind envelope. This is confirmed by the unsurpassed stability of domed houses on the US coast during tornadoes and hurricanes.
  • A domed house can have any number of windows. If you wish, you can even glaze the entire dome, and this will hardly affect the strength of the entire structure.

  • This frame house has a solid construction. It does not have a separate roof, heavy floors, truss system. Thanks to this, the house is characterized by high seismic resistance. In addition, the destruction of 35% of the elements of the entire structure will not lead to a complete collapse of the building.
  • In small houses there are no load-bearing walls. In large structures, the walls can be installed in any order. This allows you to independently plan the interior space in the house.
  • Soundproofing. Due to the minimal surface area, significantly less sound penetrates. This makes life in the house more comfortable and cozy.

Spherical houses allow you to save

  • Minimum base. The construction of the building is very light. Due to this, the load on the ground is minimized. Therefore, you can use a more economical type of foundation, which allows you to build domed houses on it. The feedback from the owners showed that they often made a strip foundation, the depth of which does not exceed 90 cm. Thus, the likelihood of the building skewing and the formation of cracks in the foundation is excluded.
  • construction at any time. The construction of a domed house can take place at any time of the year, regardless of weather conditions. This will not affect the cost of work and the quality of the structure being built.
  • The ability to use the minimum area and obtain the maximum volume. The useful area is maximum, the external area is minimum. Due to this, in comparison with the usual rectangular rooms, heat is less dissipated in winter. Therefore, the cost of heating and air conditioning is reduced by up to 30%.
  • Saving energy regardless of the climate. For example, in a cold climate, an ordinary stone house needs to consume about 230 kW * h / m 2 for hot water supply and heating, and a wooden house - 100 kW * h / m 2. A domed house made of expanded polystyrene (wall 200 mm) often exceeds the requirements of modern standards. Even in severe frosts, if the heating is turned off, the temperature in the house drops to 2 0 C per day. If we compare the cost of maintaining brick and domed houses for 50 years, then for the difference (not in favor of a brick building), you can buy another frame house.

  • Maximum use of solar panels. Thanks to the symmetrical shape of the house, solar modules and batteries can be more efficiently oriented in space. With this equipment, you can save a significant amount of money. After all, it is known that solar panels can generate energy even on a cloudy day.
  • Affordable prices. It has been proven that the construction of a high-quality reliable frame house is much cheaper than the construction of an ordinary brick house.

Flaws

Unfortunately, nothing in our world is perfect. Dome houses in Russia also have their drawbacks.

  1. Difficulties in calculations. A spherical house cannot be drawn and calculated using two planes. Be sure to use modern 3D graphics programs.
  2. Since the construction of a domed house is still exotic for our citizens, it is best to seek help from specialist builders who know how to properly build domed houses. Reviews of the owners are advised not to conduct independent experiments, because this can lead to serious costs.
  3. A large amount of waste. Often, building materials are supplied in a rectangular shape, and the main shape for the construction of this type of building is a triangle. Large losses can be avoided with careful calculations at the design stage.
  4. The need to use non-standard shapes of windows, doors, furniture, stairs.

Conclusion

Structures in the form of domes have been known since time immemorial. They are highly durable. The peculiarity of such a house is that its bearing capacity increases with an increase in the size of the dome itself. Do not forget that this building will allow the owners to annually save a tidy sum from the family budget.

The frame of a domed house is a very large constructor. A team of specialists will cope with the construction of this house in a matter of weeks. Each owner can control the whole process. And in a few weeks, your family will be able to relax outside the city and enjoy clean, fresh air.

Domed houses of an unusual shape are a bold idea. The original form stands out from the same faceless mass of the same type of buildings, attracts attention, fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape.

The technology for the construction of domed houses has been developed in the seventies of the last century. The idea of ​​a private house of an unusual shape, with a large interior space and free planning quickly spread to different countries.

The original appearance is emphasized by a wide variety of materials for exterior and interior decoration:

  • glass and wood;
  • metal, decorative stone, fiberglass;
  • and brick.

Dome houses are frame, insulation and cladding. In private individual construction, the frame is made of wood. An alternative to a frame house - monolithic concrete dome. According to Japanese technology, houses are built even with subsequent painting.

There is also a mystical element. Drawing parallels with temples and churches, esotericists argue that the domed arch of the building, which has no corners, attracts positive energy. Pure natural energy heals residents, gives peace, tranquility, harmonizes relationships.

According to the design features of the frame, there are:

  1. Geodesic dome;
  2. Stratodesic dome;
  3. Monolithic concrete dome.

geodesic dome

The principle of building a domed frame was developed by American architect Richard Fuller. based on the geometric shape of the earth.

A geodesic dome is an architectural structure in the form of a sphere, formed by connecting beams into triangles according to the honeycomb principle. System of interconnected rods has a high bearing capacity regardless of the strength characteristics of the material.

The greater the height of the dome, the more elements are used, triangles and polygons are formed. From the increase in the number of geometric shapes in the dome, the bearing capacity of the structure increases.

At the same time, there are few materials for the construction, the specific gravity of the structure is small. The triangles are interconnected by a fastener of a special shape, a connector.

Important! The geodesic frame should only be assembled using connectors.

Connecting elements, regardless of the material of the beams, always metal or plastic. To protect against corrosion, metal connectors are painted.

Fuller's spherical dome has found application in buildings where it is necessary to obtain the maximum volume of the room with a minimum weight. Stadiums, industrial buildings, scientific laboratories, warehouses, exhibition centers are built on the basis of a honeycomb geodesic dome.

Stratodesic

The stratodesic dome is axially symmetrical, formed by curved arched struts converging at one point. Horizontal lintels encircle the frame in a circle. Segments of a stratodesic dome are trapezoidal, not triangular.

In the first rows from the foundation, the cells are large. Approaching the dome, the size of the segments decreases.

The main difference between the design and the geodesic dome is that twisting deformation is compensated not by the frame, but by the skin.

After the construction of the lower row of jumpers, the structure is immediately sheathed with wall material. Without cladding, the frame will fold.

The connection of the beams of the stratodesic dome occurs without connectors, due to the insertion of beams into each other with the help of locks. The joints are additionally fixed with bolts and dowels.

note

Connectorless connection technology suitable only for wood stratodesic framework. The joints bear the greatest load, improper execution will lead to divergence of the joints, loss of rigidity and collapse of the structure.

Joints of curvilinear wooden posts at the point of convergence of the stratodesic frame are performed using cuts of various shapes.

The stratodesic shape of the frame forms large trapezoidal cells, which allows the use of window and door structures of a standard type.

After assembling the frame, sheathing is performed on both sides with intermediate insulation. Then window, door blocks, partitions are installed. Coming to the finishing touches.

Monolithic concrete

A monolithic dome does not apply to frame construction technology. Capital buildings. Raised in two ways:

  1. Shotcrete, layer-by-layer spraying under pressure.
  2. By pouring a concrete mixture of fixed formwork made of expanded polystyrene.

Shotcrete

When choosing the method of construction by shotcrete, after the foundation has been erected, fabric pneumatic frame is inflated with waterproof impregnation. According to the pneumatic form, metal reinforcing meshes are laid and bent, passing window and door openings.

concrete mix, shotcrete, is applied under pressure several times until the planned wall thickness is reached. After the concrete has gained working strength, the fabric sphere is blown off, the influxes of the solution are cleaned off, they begin to insulate, install windows, install engineering equipment, and finish.

Fixed formwork

Styrofoam frame produced in the factory, is delivered to the construction site as a set of ready-to-install blocks. The formwork blocks are interconnected, the joints are sealed with mounting foam.

Reinforcement is installed in the formwork, concrete is poured. After curing, window and door fillings are installed and finishing begins.

Advantages and disadvantages

Any home is mix of positives and negatives. No technology is perfect, there are always disadvantages and advantages, sometimes arising from each other. A minus in one quality turns into a plus in another. The balance of good and bad produces amazing results.

Advantages of domed buildings

In addition to the obvious aesthetic qualities, the sphere has excellent performance properties for construction:

  • no corners reduces wind load. Air flows simply flow around the structure, precipitation rolls off the surface;
  • high seismic resistance thanks to the form. With complete destruction of up to 35% of the elements, the structure will not collapse. Such indicators are not given by any form, except for spherical;
  • natural light dome enhances. Rectangular structures absorb light;
  • uniform temperature throughout the room and free air circulation makes it unique microclimate;
  • high energy efficiency due to the smaller heat transfer surface area;
  • material savings compared with a rectangular house of the same area will be 20-25%.

The frame and other materials are delivered to the site in separate parts, ready for installation.

The light weight of the building saves foundation costs. The most common design schemes for foundations for domed houses are pile, tape, slab.

Minuses

In addition to the complex calculation (in three dimensions), the disadvantages of spherical buildings also include:

  • a small selection of finishing materials. Not all finishing materials are able to repeat the curved surface. Due to the surface of the walls decreasing towards the ceiling, it is difficult to paste over the rooms with wallpaper. In bathrooms, bathrooms there are difficulties with the use of ceramic tiles;
  • rooms located in a circle will have irregular shape, expanding from the entrance;
  • natural lighting of the central room in a one-story house possible only through the roof. In a two-story building, it is extremely difficult to provide a natural light source;
  • lack of roofing materials. Soft tiles, roll materials that perfectly repeat the dome shape limit the choice. Often the roof is made of the same materials as the walls of the building;
  • for now no unified regulatory framework rules for the construction of domed houses in Russia;
  • constructive scheme basements are not provided, ground floors.

Projects and features of the layout of dome-type houses

Unusual, creative, non-standard - the first thoughts that arise in a person's head when they see a domed house. Nevertheless, absolutely all buildings are subject to architectural rules.

Entry group

The entrance group is an important architectural element of a private house. The front door invites guests and residents to enter, attracts attention, decorates the facade.

In a spherical house Installing a front door is not easy.. Removing the ties under the opening does not affect the rigidity of the geodesic frame; openings in the stratodesic dome are subject to reinforcement. The main problem is inscribing a rectangular shape into a curved surface.

There are three input group solutions:

  • the device of the vestibule at the entrance to the house;
  • removal of frame segments with a margin. After installing the door jamb, the voids are filled with shortened ribs, rigidly fixing the front door;
  • order for the manufacture of an individual door that repeats the shape of the wall.

The canopy above the door not only protects from rain, sun, but also frames the door. Columns supporting the visor, give the entrance group a thoughtful, finished look.

Space organization

The layout of a spherical house will differ from the usual one, but it will allow you to realize the most non-standard design fantasies.

All partitions are made of lightweight materials: sheets, wood boards on metal profiles or wooden beams.

In the floor plan, the central place is occupied by a common passage room, the rest of the rooms are arranged segmentally in a circle.

In the center are:

  • living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms;
  • passage room without appointment;
  • corridor.

The common room will be connected by doors to the rest of the rooms.

If the house has more than one floor, a spiral staircase looks good in the center, emphasizing the round shape of the building. On the second floor, bedrooms, individual rooms, offices, libraries are traditionally placed. Having arranged even a small section of glazing in the center of the dome, receive a light source during the day and a real starry sky at night.

If there is not enough space, two or three domes are connected by transitions. For summer holidays, open terraces are built in a circle. Glazed veranda will increase the area of ​​the house.

Entrance door separates vestibule to prevent heat loss in winter and maintain the microclimate in summer.

Opinions about the complexity of furnishing a domed house are incorrect. Each room has only one curvilinear wall, with one or more windows. On this wall you can easily place:

  • shelves for books and interior trinkets;
  • built-in wardrobes;
  • paintings;
  • lamps;
  • drapery.

Let this wall be just a decoration.

If the layout cannot do without using part of the wall, for example, for a desk or headboard, the desired section of the wall is brought to a plane using sheets of drywall or.

Interior decoration

From the inside, domed houses are trimmed:

  • wooden clapboard. The lining is attached vertically, horizontally, with patterns. The tree gives the space an ecological style and a subtle fragrance;
  • wallpaper. The strips narrow towards the ceiling, separated by bent wooden slats;
  • smooth and structured plasters and paints. A palette of textures and colors will add variety to the color scheme of the premises.

A good solution would be to place fireplace in the center of the living room. The symbol of the family hearth creates warmth, comfort, warms home on long winter evenings.

Glazing

An important quality of the geodesic frame to keep its shape is used to increase the glazing area.

Glass will make the facade of the house light and airy, provide natural light at any time of the year. The glazed dome will turn the second floor into an observation deck. If the window blocks are at a height, they are equipped with automatic opening systems.

Watch the video below as the owners of an extraordinary round house talk about its design, construction stages, characteristics and materials:


With the right approach, the domed house will never disappoint residents, remaining for many years an unusual, beautiful home with excellent performance.

Photos of finished houses inside and out

Dome houses are a relatively new word in construction, quickly gaining popularity due to the use of an unconventional shape for the house.

The construction of prefabricated domed houses is known and in demand all over the world. Today, such a house is no longer just following fashion or a race for originality, but also a desire to get the most rational and economical housing as a result of construction. Some experts call dome structures a variant of eco-houses.

Features of domed houses: the pros and cons of the design

The construction of domed houses, which has long been familiar and familiar to masters in the West, is gradually becoming fashionable in our country. Attractive appearance, non-trivial design, environmental friendliness and ergonomics make such dwellings desirable for that category of people who not only follow fashion trends, but also strive to be in harmony with nature.

ADVICE! Those who like to stand out from the crowd and do not want to spend a lot of money on home decoration can solve the problem by choosing a domed building instead of a typical rectangular house.

Among the obvious advantages of houses with geodesic domes are:

  • Saving building materials to build a house of a similar area by more than 1/5. A light structure does not need an overly reliable and durable foundation and powerful construction equipment. The construction of domed houses is a fairly fast process: 5 days and one builder are enough to build a house of a small area.

  • The process of assembling and dismantling a domed house is simple and does not require special skills.. Some types of lightweight frame structures are even suitable for transportation outside the city: for example, while hiking with friends.

  • Dome design is comfortable for living : air does not stagnate in it, and the significantly smaller surface area significantly reduces the amount of noise penetrating inside.

  • The versatility of the structure allows it to fit into anylandscape and pick up a place on any site. In addition, it is easy to attach additional rooms of the same shape to the finished house.

  • Despite outward frivolity, domed dwellings are extremely durable and reliable . Even domed houses made of expanded polystyrene are much more stable than rectangular structures made of brick and stone: they are not afraid of winds, earthquakes and even snow drifts (1 sq.m. of a domed roof can withstand more than 600 kg of snow).

  • Light, with a rational layout and sufficient sound insulation, attractive in appearance and practical in terms of using free space.

  • Dome building is energy efficient: less heat loss, reduced energy requirements for heating, as well as a comfortable temperature throughout the room - all this makes such a house as practical as possible.

FACT! The dome design is ideal for installing solar panels and using other alternative energy sources.

The disadvantages of such a dwelling are much less: the most notable are the difficulty with windows (there is a need to find more expensive solutions), as well as certain problems with the choice of furniture. In addition, a domed home will require a larger lot than a traditional home.

Considering the projects of domed houses, people often refuse even the thought of replacing an ordinary house with such a design. Such inattention or simply fear of domed structures is associated with the psychological difficulties of perceiving the unusual shape of a house as reliable and durable.

From birth, a person is surrounded by rectangular buildings, all furniture and appliances are designed to be installed in rooms with straight walls, and the very shape of a domed dwelling seems to many frivolous and even ridiculous. But these difficulties are quite easy to deal with: the shape may not seem funny, but modern and creative, and furniture and household appliances fit organically into the interior of the "round" house.

Small wooden domed house

For example, polystyrene domed houses in practice turn out to be sufficiently strong and reliable, despite some mistrust of the material. Such houses are easily erected without preliminary preparation of the foundation, and also do not require the involvement of additional construction equipment.

Separate structural elements are fastened with grooves and fixed with mounting foam. Doors and windows are cut out in arbitrary places with an ordinary jigsaw, after which the house is finished: most often it is putty and

Dome concrete house

Such structures are considered to be the most durable and reliable, suitable for the harsh conditions of areas with frequent natural disasters. Monolithic options are more suitable for capital structures: hangars, stadiums and large gyms.

ADVICE! The roof of a concrete round house is convenient to use for passive solar heating or to create a green lawn.

Dear Forum-Grad readers, have you ever seen a domed house? Some of them may look quite eccentric, but others are just amazing! In this article we will try to talk about the most interesting and incredible domed houses.

Buckminster Fuller is the first prototype of a domed home. The purpose of its construction was an attempt to make an indestructible living space with minimal use of materials. Considering that the triangular structure is much stronger than the square one, the designers created a dome made entirely of triangles. For the first time this house was put on public display in 1954 in Milan, where it received the highest award and international recognition. Its original structure quickly gained popularity among scientists due to its low environmental impact and durability in all climatic conditions. To date, more than 300,000 such installations have been built.

The Ecopod

If you are planning a trip to the UK, the Ecopod is the perfect solution for you. Located on the west coast of Scotland, this small camping town, built entirely of domed houses, will always have you covered.


Any housing made in a convex shape is more energy efficient than square ones.



Summer dome house

This house, having all the advantages and conveniences of rectangular rooms, has all the useful qualities of domed buildings. And it is unrealistically huge with an area of ​​​​6331 square meters. meter.



In this case, the architects used a geodesic roof to allow natural light to fully enter the house.



Ohai Valley Dome

This dome house was built high up in the Ojai Mountains, California. It compares favorably with its counterparts in that it is completely inexpensive and consists of separate parts. Therefore, you can assemble / disassemble it with your own hands! The house was built with the expectation of the most severe climatic conditions, and therefore is completely safe and durable. No earthquakes and snowfalls can damage it. In addition, beautiful views of the mountains open from its windows.


The orange frame draws attention to the triangular structure of the geodesic dome. The room is equipped with two hanging chairs, an arc lamp and a stylized wall.

Tejlgaard & Jepsen Domes

These domes are not houses, as they are simply meant to show the benefits of alternative housing options. Architects Tejlgaard & Jepsen believe the geodesic dome is the best possible housing project of our time.



Located in Copenhagen, the "Dome of Visions" challenges the future. In this room, debates about alternative housing were held. Here Tejlgaard & Jepsen tried to explain to a Danish construction company the benefits of airtight materials and greenhouses.



Categories:

Many residents of big cities are seriously thinking about building their own country house. After all, this is an opportunity to leave the stuffy and polluted city, crowded with people and anxiety. Outside the city, everyone has their own space, there is no need to worry about the neighbors. In addition, this is a great opportunity to raise your children in environmentally friendly conditions. Your heirs will always be healthy and full of strength.

Modern developers offer many options for those who want to get close to nature in the shortest possible time. After all, for example, a building made of bricks familiar to us is being built for a long period, so you will not be able to move into such a house quickly. Today, modern technologies and building materials are especially popular, which practically do not differ in strength from bricks, while being characterized by a more favorable price. One of these structures are spherical or domed houses. Owner reviews speak of a large number of advantages of such facilities.

The history of the domed house

Before proceeding with the construction of any structure, it is necessary to make a project. Its choice depends on the wishes of the owners, the external attractiveness of the future structure, its aesthetics and originality. It is domed houses that are especially popular today, photos of which you can see in our article. In the domestic construction market, these structures began to be erected in 2008, but they can in no way be attributed to the architectural inventions of our time.

Rounded buildings were erected in Old Byzantium. Often such buildings were built in northern countries, for whose inhabitants every winter the issue of heating the house was very acute. This type of structure was invented and patented in 1951 by Buckminster Fuller. To date, many domestic construction companies have mastered the construction of domed houses. Therefore, everyone can choose a suitable option for themselves and be sure that their future home will meet all their wishes.

Peculiarities

Modern domed houses intended for human habitation are characterized by an unusual design that does not allow exposure to adverse environmental factors. People living in spherical houses, admit that the unusual geometry of the room causes a feeling of lightness and tranquility.


Thanks to the aerodynamic design of the building, the resistance of the house to strong gusty winds is enhanced. Such a structure will be more resistant than others in the event of seismic activity. The calculations carried out showed that the house will be able to endure fluctuations of the earth's crust of 10 points.

Cost calculation

It is very difficult to accurately calculate the total cost of the structure. After all, they often provide for the construction of extensions. Also, the cost of construction includes the method of finishing, and the materials that will be needed during the construction of the building. But the price of the main structure can be calculated using a special calculator. This program takes into account the way the ribs are connected, their cross section, and the radius of the base. Using it, you can get information about the number and types of vertices, faces, edges. As a result, a structured scheme will appear before you, according to which it will be possible to imagine the future domed house. The price for it depends only on the above factors.

The construction time for such a structure is on average about 3 months, taking into account the development and approval of the project. The price of a domed house is approximately 1/3 of the cost of a traditional dwelling due to less use of building materials. The cost of such a structure today is about 13,000 rubles per 1 m 2.

House construction

When drawing up almost all projects, a standard structure is initially calculated, the diameter of which is 8.1 m. This size is the main one for the development of private and standard projects.


“8 meters in diameter? It’s not enough!”, you say. But it seems so at first glance. It should be noted that the radius of the dome is also 8 meters. Then the base area will be 153 m 3, and the ceilings in the house will reach 7 meters.

Do you want to build a domed house? Planning is the initial stage, during which special attention is paid to the foundation of the building, because this is the base of any building. The characteristics of the base will directly depend on the type and mechanical properties of the soil.

Spherical houses at the construction stage are characterized by economical consumption of building materials. On laying the foundation, you can save 25-40%.

A domed house can have up to 5 outbuildings that will be added to the ground floor. They can be located in any of the 5 dome openings. This will not lead to a loss of rigidity of the system as a whole. Openings are used to connect verandas, domes, greenhouses, baths, etc. Thus, you can significantly expand the required area.

The final stage of construction is At this stage, planning is not required, so you can independently choose any architectural delights (mansards, lofts, rooms). This will not affect the strength of the structure in any way.

building material

The main material for the construction of domed houses are wooden beams filled with expanded polystyrene or fiberglass panels. These materials are characterized by minimum weight, high reliability. They are used as thermal insulation material. The thickness of 15 cm of insulating material is ideal for climate conditions in the middle zone. Such panels are very easy to install with normal wall thicknesses. Relatively recently, expanding foam mass has also been used for the same purposes.


It is a traditional roofing material. It has an attractive appearance, and its cost is not too high. This material is characterized by a large assortment, which makes it easy and simple to choose the right texture and shade.

A special design distinguishes all domed houses. Photos of various configurations, color shades, the use of various materials can be found in this article. In addition, the owner can choose the shape of the windows in the house. They can be rectangular, round, triangular or hexagonal. The window can be a decoration of an unusual facade. Thanks to the competent placement of window openings, you can save on lighting and even on heating in the future. After all, even in winter days, the house can receive additional solar heat.

Equipment and materials for interior decoration

The materials that are used for interior decoration of a domed house are varied:

  • Drywall.
  • Clapboard.
  • Plastic.
  • Decorative plaster.

You can choose the right materials to combine, which will make the overall interior spectacular and elegant. Some people try to build domed houses on their own. Feedback from the owners of self-built houses allows others to correctly assess their abilities and make a choice in favor of specialists or a company of close friends.


Installing a ventilation and heating system in such a house is also simple. For proper heating of the building, it is necessary to purchase and install heating devices. They should be the same as for an ordinary house, but with a capacity of 30% less.

A turnkey domed house will allow you not to control all stages of construction. You will be able to immediately move into a new suburban home.

Advantages of domed houses

Not much time has passed since 2008, but many families have already experienced all the benefits of living in domed houses. The main positive aspects of this building are:

  • An ideal even shape that can withstand gusts of wind, snow sticking. Dome houses are characterized by unusual aerodynamics, which ensures perfect wind envelope. This is confirmed by the unsurpassed stability of domed houses on the US coast during tornadoes and hurricanes.
  • A domed house can have any number of windows. If you wish, you can even glaze the entire dome, and this will hardly affect the strength of the entire structure.


  • This frame house has a solid construction. It does not have a separate roof, heavy floors, truss system. Thanks to this, the house is characterized by high seismic resistance. In addition, the destruction of 35% of the elements of the entire structure will not lead to a complete collapse of the building.
  • In small houses there are no load-bearing walls. In large structures, the walls can be installed in any order. This allows you to independently plan the interior space in the house.
  • Soundproofing. Due to the minimal surface area, significantly less sound penetrates. This makes life in the house more comfortable and cozy.

Spherical houses allow you to save

  • Minimum base. The construction of the building is very light. Due to this, the load on the ground is minimized. Therefore, you can use a more economical type of foundation, which allows you to build domed houses on it. The feedback from the owners showed that they often made a strip foundation, the depth of which does not exceed 90 cm. Thus, the likelihood of the building skewing and the formation of cracks in the foundation is excluded.
  • construction at any time. The construction of a domed house can take place at any time of the year, regardless of weather conditions. This will not affect the cost of work and the quality of the structure being built.
  • The ability to use the minimum area and obtain the maximum volume. The useful area is maximum, the external area is minimum. Due to this, in comparison with the usual rectangular rooms, heat is less dissipated in winter. Therefore, the cost of heating and air conditioning is reduced by up to 30%.
  • Saving energy regardless of the climate. For example, in a cold climate, an ordinary stone house needs to consume about 230 kW * h / m 2 for hot water supply and heating, and a wooden house - 100 kW * h / m 2. A domed house made of expanded polystyrene (wall 200 mm) often exceeds the requirements of modern standards. Even in severe frosts, if the heating is turned off, the temperature in the house drops to 2 0 C per day. If we compare the cost of maintaining brick and domed houses for 50 years, then for the difference (not in favor of a brick building), you can buy another frame house.

  • Maximum use of solar panels. Thanks to the symmetrical shape of the house, solar modules and batteries can be more efficiently oriented in space. With this equipment, you can save a significant amount of money. After all, it is known that solar panels can generate energy even on a cloudy day.
  • Affordable prices. It has been proven that the construction of a high-quality reliable frame house is much cheaper than the construction of an ordinary brick house.

Flaws

Unfortunately, nothing in our world is perfect. Dome houses in Russia also have their drawbacks.

  1. Difficulties in calculations. A spherical house cannot be drawn and calculated using two planes. Be sure to use modern 3D graphics programs.
  2. Since the construction of a domed house is still exotic for our citizens, it is best to seek help from specialist builders who know how to properly build domed houses. Reviews of the owners are advised not to conduct independent experiments, because this can lead to serious costs.
  3. A large amount of waste. Often, building materials are supplied in a rectangular shape, and the main shape for the construction of this type of building is a triangle. Large losses can be avoided with careful calculations at the design stage.
  4. The need to use non-standard shapes of windows, doors, furniture, stairs.


Conclusion

Structures in the form of domes have been known since time immemorial. They are highly durable. The peculiarity of such a house is that its bearing capacity increases with an increase in the size of the dome itself. Do not forget that this building will allow the owners to annually save a tidy sum from the family budget.

The frame of a domed house is a very large constructor. A team of specialists will cope with the construction of this house in a matter of weeks. Each owner can control the whole process. And in a few weeks, your family will be able to relax outside the city and enjoy clean, fresh air.

The beginning of a new year for builders, architects and anyone planning to start a renovation or construction project means the beginning of preparations for a new construction season. And although mass construction starts in the spring, if you decide to build a house this year, you have only a few months to choose a project or company and, most importantly, technology. And this is a very limited time, because there will be a lot of options to explore. The cost of the construction itself and interior decoration, as well as the future costs of maintaining the building, depend on your choice. And in some cases, construction technology completely determines the future interior.

Today's article is devoted to the interiors of domed houses. Spherical, or domed, houses are a relatively new energy-efficient technology, and at the same time causing the most controversy. Supporters of dome construction argue that such houses are cheap to build and economical to operate, opponents that the technology is complex and irrational. We will consider the main pros and cons of such structures, as well as their possibilities in terms of using the internal space and creating an interior.

What is a domed house

The first associations that arise when thinking about such technology are Eskimo igloos or temple construction. Both are correct. But the modern version of the domed house was invented by designer Buckminster Fuller. Its geodesic dome (geo house) is considered one of the most durable technologies in the world, because the interconnected triangular sectors allow you to create a strong outer shell without the use of internal load-bearing walls.

Remember, earlier on the playgrounds there were metal hemispheres from pipes welded together, which formed triangles? In fact, this is the same, but made of wood.

Advantages of a domed (geodesic) house

Saving materials

A domed house has much less total surface area than a similar building in a traditional shape. And this means that the construction will require 40-50% less materials.

energy efficiency

The cost of heating a domed house is also much less, because the sun warms up the spherical shape more efficiently, and more light and, accordingly, heat gets into the windows located at an angle.

Durability and the ability to self-erect

The construction of a domed house does not require special equipment or a crane.

Aerodynamic shape

The aerodynamic shape of the dome withstands wind loads much better, therefore it is suitable for northern regions and those places where strong winds and hurricanes often occur.

Cons of a domed house

New unproven technology

So far, not many companies offer a well-established technology for the construction of domed houses and there are practically no reviews about their long-term operation.

The need for a larger area

For example, you decide to build a house with an area of ​​​​about 200 square meters. This means that the diameter of the base must be at least 7 meters. The base area of ​​\u200b\u200bsuch a house will be 150-180 square meters, depending on whether you need a second light or not. In the case of a house of a traditional form, the base area will be from 100 to 130 square meters.

Radius walls and triangular windows

This can hardly be called an unequivocal minus, but any radius surfaces usually increase the cost and complicate the decoration and purchase of furniture. Non-traditional windows will also cost more than standard ones.

Interiors

If you have chosen a domed house for yourself, then the main question will arise during the design of the interior space. On the one hand, the semi-sphere allows you to create large areas without any additional internal supports, on the other hand, it may be difficult to plan the internal space. After all, now in this large and bright hemisphere you need to fit a standard set of rooms and functional areas. Let's see how this can be done.










Finally

If you look at most interiors of domed houses, then in the case of large structures, the owners have to partially return to the traditional form of the plan, that is, create rectangular shapes inside the dome, otherwise the furniture will be very difficult to fit into the house. You will also need to create a supporting structure to make the ceilings of the upper level, which means that the very idea of ​​​​a large space with an open layout, where light and air are not limited in any way, does not always work.

It can be concluded that domed houses are an interesting and economical solution if you are planning to build a relatively small one-story house. A studio house with a minimum set of premises, where you do not have to create additional load-bearing structures inside the hemisphere. Or if your budget is not strictly limited.

If you plan to build a spacious house with a large number of rooms on a relatively small plot, you need to at least calculate everything in detail. Structural suppliers and developers claim that the installation of a domed house costs an average of 40% less than the construction of a traditional one. And the operation is 60%, that is, it fully pays off in about 10 years. Sounds impressive, but additional costs for interior design, non-standard windows and fittings also need to be taken into account.

Nevertheless, many experts believe that domed houses are the future, primarily due to their efficiency. Here is one such example.

This domed house rotates around its axis using a built-in mechanism, which allows the owners of the house to follow the sun all day long.


A domed house is a unique residential building of its kind, having the shape of a hemisphere (cone). For the manufacture of the walls of such a house, you can use a variety of materials. Wood is most often used, but there are also technologies that allow you to build walls from concrete and stone.

The main feature of the domed house is the possibility of obtaining the maximum amount of usable space with a minimum occupied space.

For the arrangement of the structure, relatively few materials are used, due to which the weight of the finished building is relatively small. This allows you to further save on the arrangement of the foundation.


The technology for erecting a domed building is quite complicated, however, if you wish, you can handle such an event with your own hands, spending a minimum of time, building materials and money on it.

  1. Original appearance.
  2. High speed of construction and arrangement.
  3. Possibility of free interior planning.
  4. The absence of strict requirements for the foundation. The finished structure, as already noted, is lightweight, which allows it to be equipped even on the most elementary and shallow foundations.
  5. Possibility of arrangement in different climatic regions. Despite the apparent simplicity, with proper arrangement, the domed house has high thermal insulation performance.
  6. No need for significant financial investments in the construction and home improvement.
  7. High resistance to wind loads.
  8. Resistance to ground movements and earthquakes. The design features are such that the incoming loads are evenly distributed throughout the house.
  9. Modern and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
  10. High energy efficiency indicators.
  11. Good sound insulation performance.

What do you need to know before getting started?

Please read the following important information before proceeding with the arrangement of the domed house.

There are no specific requirements for the foundation of a domed house. The finished structure is lightweight, so it can be placed on almost any foundation. The most optimal option is a shallow foundation of a tape type.

Construction material

The structure is built from wooden beams. The cross section of the beam is selected individually, taking into account the expected loads on the dome of the building.

If it is planned to use the outer and inner cladding at the same time, it is necessary to use a beam with an increased cross section.

Connectors

Connectors are used to connect wooden structural elements. There are five-beam and six-beam connectors.

These elements are used in the manufacture of domed structures of a large area. In the case of arranging a small domed house, you can resort to a connectorless assembly method.

Connectors are often eschewed by professional builders in favor of modern technology, whereby ribs are made to match each other exactly, allowing them to be connected with a minimum of seams.

Roof

To equip the roof of such a house, you can use the following materials:

  • flexible tiles;
  • ruberoid;
  • sheet roofing materials based on aluminum.

Expenses

The technology for arranging the structure under consideration is quite complex. However, when compared with the construction of an ordinary house, the construction of a domed structure takes much less money and building materials. Time costs are also significantly reduced.


House Building Guide

Proceed to the arrangement of the domed house. Start by preparing the necessary tools and materials. It is better to collect all the required elements in advance so that in the future you do not waste time looking for missing fixtures.

Construction set

  1. Wooden bar. Traditionally, a material with a cross section of 50x50 mm is used. For the rest, focus on the specifics of your specific situation. If necessary, the cross section of the beam can be increased.
  2. Screws.
  3. Sheet steel. Use galvanized material
  4. Fasteners (nails, screws, etc.).
  5. Mounting foam.
  6. Finishing material for the arrangement of the roof. The most preferred materials in the case of the house in question are flexible tiles and a more budgetary roofing material.
  7. Roulette for measurements.
  8. Corner.
  9. Building level.
  10. Electric jigsaw.
  11. Electric drill.
  12. Hacksaw.
  13. Woodworking Machine. If you do not have access to this unit, you can do without it, but this way you will have to spend more time.
  14. Bulgarian.
  15. Screwdrivers.
  16. Hammer.
  17. Protective gloves.
  18. Roofing scissors.
  19. Brushes.

The building set can be reduced and expanded depending on the characteristics of a particular situation. At this point, you will be able to orient yourself.

Preparatory stage


Having collected all the necessary devices, proceed to the preparatory activities. At this stage, you have to make the main elements of the future design, process them and prepare them accordingly for further use.

Before starting work, draw up, order or find in an open source a diagram of a domed house. Drawings will help you better navigate the process of construction activities.


First step. Choose a place to place the domed house. Mark the construction site in accordance with the dimensions of the future structure.

Second step. Decide on the model of the dome structure. To do this, select the appropriate shape and dimensions of the cells, the number of truss elements, the number of connectors, etc. All these points should also be reflected in the drawings.

Third step. Make plywood and truss elements of the future home. At the same stage, make the required number of connectors. In the process of manufacturing the mentioned products, be guided by the drawings you have.


Be sure to treat metal connectors with a special anti-corrosion agent.

Construction erection

Go directly to the construction of the structure.

First step. Clear the radius of the future building from the fertile layer of soil and fill the recess with a layer of gravel. Tamp the backfill. Pour a layer of sand over the rubble and also carefully tamp.

Second step. Pour the foundation. Instead of a foundation, you can use a supporting decagonal structure. To build it, use the boards. Select the cross section of the boards individually, taking into account the upcoming loads.




Third step. Armed with an electric saw or a jigsaw, make trapezoidal elements from the boards.

Fourth step. Lay roofing material on the previously prepared base of gravel and sand, and on top of it - prepared trapeziums. Make sure that the elements are laid evenly and connect the trapezoidal products with screws. At this stage, be guided by the drawings you have, it is impossible to describe this item solely in words.



Fifth step. Proceed to the construction of internal vertical walls. To assemble these elements, use a wooden beam. Connect structural elements with screws. Focus, again, on your drawings.


Sixth step. Make a door frame of the desired dimensions. For assembly, use a pair of horizontal and the same number of vertical bars (boards). Elements are best connected using spikes and grooves, additionally reinforced with screws or other suitable fasteners.

At the same stage, make boxes for installing windows.

Seventh step. Sheathe the finished vertical walls with wooden boards. Nail the boards so that rainwater and snow cannot enter the house.

Eighth step. Make ribs for the construction of the main frame. To do this, use a wooden beam. To perform this activity, you will need an electric planer.



Before installing the frame ribs, treat all wooden elements with an antiseptic.

Ninth step. Make connectors. To do this, you will need metal plates. Cut out the sheet metal plates according to the drawings you have.

Use a grinder for cutting. Connectors must be pentagonal or hexagonal in shape. Select the shape of the products individually, taking into account the type of structure being erected.

Tenth step. Proceed to pouring ready-made connectors. To do this, use mounting foam or bakelite resin. Foam is preferable because in its composition there are no components harmful to the environment.



Eleventh step. Connect all elements of the outer dome in accordance with the project. Use screws to fasten parts. To create an external dome, triangular elements are traditionally used, knocked together from timber or boards. In the dome, leave openings for doors and double-glazed windows.


Twelfth step. Complete the interior trim of your home. For this, ordinary sheets of plywood are suitable. This material is absolutely environmentally friendly and contributes to the creation of an optimal indoor climate.



Thirteenth step. Finish the exterior of the dome. For finishing, use roofing material, tiles or other suitable roofing material. The easiest way to use roofing material is to carefully cut out triangular elements from it and fix them sequentially on the dome using special glue or ordinary melted resin.


dome cladding

In conclusion, you will have to carry out the necessary measures for the finishing arrangement of the domed house, namely:

  • lay the floor;
  • arrange water supply;
  • install windows and doors;
  • install a ventilation system;
  • insulate the structure.


If you plan to bring water supply and wastewater systems to your domed house, consider the procedure for their arrangement even at the initial stages of construction. To bring the pipes you will have to dig a couple of additional trenches.

If your domed house will be used for permanent residence, be sure to install double-glazed windows with opening sashes.

For thermal insulation of the structure, use any materials that are easy to install and safe for others. For example, for thermal insulation of a structure of this form, it is very convenient to use sawdust.

The most preferred material for the construction of a domed building is white acacia wood. This wood is characterized by high strength, long service life and ease of processing.


If necessary, bring electrical wiring to the domed house. If you do not have the skills to install such communications, invite a professional electrician. Plan in advance the placement of lighting fixtures, sockets and other elements.

The domed house is a very original and ergonomic building. Such a structure can be either completely independent or serve as a convenient extension, for example, to a country house. Determine the purpose and design of the house yourself.

Now that you are aware of the sequence of work, there will be no problems with arranging a domed house - just follow the instructions, focusing in parallel on the drawings and diagrams, and the construction will certainly be crowned with success.

Successful work!

Specificity is now gaining popularity at a breakneck pace. People are looking for new solutions so that their yards, garden areas, houses have at least a drop of zest, inspire and surprise passers-by. Banal houses made according to a standard template are of little interest to anyone. The desire to distinguish themselves and build a specific house on their site makes many turn to designers and professional builders. It is not uncommon to have structures in the form of a hemisphere in the private sector. They are filled with grace, beauty and originality. But the dream of living in such a house under a dome is quite feasible without builders and designers. After all, such a peculiar residential building can be built with your own hands from various materials.

The specifics of domed houses

The spherical design is able to withstand heavy snow loads and withstand gusty winds. For regions with a harsh climate, domed houses are ideal. This is a stable and powerful structure that does not have load-bearing walls. Due to the symmetry of the forms, the appearance of the dome is visually reduced when the space inside it increases. Getting the optimal amount of usable space, despite the fact that the house itself takes up a handful of space, is the main feature of these extraordinary buildings.

Houses in the shape of a hemisphere weigh a little, since materials are used in the construction in a modest amount. Thanks to this, in the device of the base, you can save quite a bit. Dome technology has its own tricks, but it can be easily mastered.

Benefits of a domed house

An attractive round house has a lot of advantages, which are not only in its uniqueness and appearance, but in the following useful properties:

1. Spheres withstand loads better.
2. Spheres with the smallest area, occupied surface, have the largest volume.
3. Time for construction and home improvement is minimal.
4. The ability to install the structure on the simplest foundation.
5. High thermal insulation properties.
6. Minimum material consumption.
7. Minimum material costs.
8. High strength and stability.
9. Original and aesthetic appearance.
10. Excellent sound insulation.
11. Free interior layout is feasible.

Due to the high energy efficiency, domed houses can be built by hand in any region. Also, these buildings are not afraid of hurricanes, snowfalls and other natural disasters, as they are much more stable than rectangular ones.

Construction of a domed house

The nuances of building a domed house

Before erecting a hemisphere with your own hands, you should familiarize yourself with the following points:
1. The basis of the house. There are no exact requirements for the support of a round building. The design weighs little, so a shallow-depth tape-type foundation will be an excellent option for it.
2. Material. The hemisphere is constructed mainly from wood. Considering the expected loads on it, the required section of the beam is chosen, mainly 50x50 mm. It is important to use a beam with an enlarged section to create a dome, which they plan to sheathe inside and out. You can find unsurpassed domed structures made of stone or concrete.

3. Assembly method. For the construction of large domes, it is essential to use connectors. Five-beam or six-beam connectors combine wooden structural elements. For modest domes, connectors are out of place. If there are enough skills in building and woodworking, then you can generally refuse to use them. In this case, it is necessary to make the ribs specifically for the complexion of each other. This ensures that there are a minimum of seams in the connection of all components of the sphere.
4. Roof. To create a roof, it is preferable to use flexible tiles; it is also possible to use roofing material and aluminum sheet roofing materials.

Necessary materials

Before construction, it is necessary to prepare absolutely all materials and fixtures, so as not to delay the construction in the future in search of them.

Do-it-yourself kit for building a hemisphere:
1. Wooden beam.
2. Galvanized steel sheet.
3. Screwdrivers, screws and fasteners (self-tapping screws, nails, etc.).
4. Foam for mounting.
5. Roofing material.
6. Roofing scissors.
7. Corner and building level.
8. Hammer.
9. Roulette.
10. Hacksaw.
11. Electric jigsaw and drill.
12. Bulgarian.
13. Machine for woodworking.
14. Brushes.
15. Protective gloves.

dome building project

The project of a domed dwelling can be found on the Internet or ordered. The presence of drawings is mandatory, without them it is almost impossible to build a structure in the form of a sphere with your own hands.

A selection of drawings for a dome house is shown in the figures below.

Preparatory work

At the preparatory stage, the following should be done:

1. Project selection. Project drawings should show the following:
- the shape of the building;
- square;
- the number of truss elements;
— cell parameters;
- number of connectors, etc.
2. Choice of location. At the chosen place for building the dome, markings should be made in accordance with the dimensions of the future building.
3. Manufacture of necessary products for construction. Focusing on the drawings, it is necessary to make connectors, truss and plywood elements with your own hands.
4. Processing of materials. Wood naturally needs to be treated with an antiseptic, if metal connectors are used, they are treated with anti-corrosion agents.

Construction instruction

Step-by-step instructions for building a dome structure:

1. Building a foundation.
The area where the sphere will be located must be thoroughly cleaned of fertile soil layers. The excavation is covered with rubble and compacted. On top of it, a mound of sand should be made and also compacted.
The best option is a pile foundation. The number of holes for the foundation and their placement must be done according to the scheme.

The support of thick pipes deepened into the ground is strong enough, and thanks to the concrete reinforcement, the likelihood of pile deformation is excluded, and this support is not so difficult to build with your own hands.

2. Binding of the foundation.
This is a structure on which the whole house will stand, so its construction should be approached with particular scrupulousness. It is better to stock up on boards 10% more than indicated in the project, since after sawing, some meter may not be enough for strapping. It is necessary to create 5 trapeziums from the bars. These trapezoidal-shaped elements will be laid on piles.

Before fastening the harness, it is important to make sure that it lies clearly horizontal with the help of a level. All elements are interconnected with screws, and to the foundation - with anchor bolts 40 cm long. Instead of anchors, in order to save money, you can use reinforcement with a diameter of about 20 mm, and it is even more resistant to anchoring. A hole should be drilled in the pile head and reinforcement should be hammered into it with a sledgehammer. It is important to put roofing material on the pile heads before connecting it to the beams. It is recommended to fasten the boards with more corners, increasing their inviolability and fixation up to 100%.

3. The device of the support bar. The assembly of the frame of a geodesic house is carried out on support posts. A suitable beam is installed vertically at the corners of the strapping. All vertical posts are fastened with screws. It is important to sheathe the finished vertical walls with boards so as to prevent water and snow from entering the house.

4. Creation of frames for windows and doors. In the manufacture of boxes for mounting doors and windows, a pair of horizontal and vertical boards is used. It is desirable to connect the bars using the spike-to-groove method, additionally strengthening them with screws.

5. Making ribs for the main frame. Focusing on the project, it is necessary to make triangular and trapezoidal panels in sufficient quantities with your own hands.

6. Assembly of the frame. Connectors are often used to connect finished elements; you can make them yourself or purchase finished products in a store. In order to make fasteners on your own, you need to have welding skills, a pipe and a metal sheet. It consists of a pipe and 4.5 or 6 metal petals welded to it

It is possible to connect the edges of a domed house without connectors if the dome is assembled from triangular-shaped elements, the boards of which are precisely fitted. Then all the panels of the outer dome are connected with screws.

When assembling the frame, it is necessary to leave openings for doors, as well as windows. The assembly and the finished dome are shown in the photo below.

7. Exterior finish. For exterior decoration of the hemisphere, it is easier to use roofing material. Triangles should be carefully cut out of it, coinciding with the inside of the triangular panels used in the construction of the frame. These triangles are fixed with special glue or melted resin on the dome.

8. Finishing the house in the shape of a dome. The following actions relate to the interior arrangement of the premises:
— installation of doors and window glass;
- arrangement of water supply;
- electric installation work;
- installation of the floor;
— installation of the ventilation system;
- insulation of the building.
You can see how the domes are arranged inside in the photo below.

Ergonomic domed houses look great from the outside, but inside, thanks to a flight of fancy, you can create any layout and it will be amazing. And most importantly, the construction of such geodetic buildings with your own hands is a significant savings in construction work and materials, as well as in operation.

Spherical, domed dwellings have been known for a long time - yarangas, plagues, wigwams, etc. - built on this principle. They are distinguished by high stability and ease of construction, which earned the popularity of our ancestors. But domed houses in their pure form, as a phenomenon of modern construction, appeared not so long ago - approximately in the second half of the last century. When the American scientist Fuller decomposed the dome structure into simple figures - triangles, from which the entire structure is often assembled. It is on this principle that many spherical houses are built today.

Dome houses: technologies and their features

A domed or spherical house is the name of one building technology. Actually, the name reflects the peculiarity of this type of housing construction - the house is not rectangular, but is made in the form of a hemisphere. Or rather - in the form of a polyhedron, approaching in appearance to the sphere.

This form better withstands wind and snow loads, with an equal building spot with a rectangular one, it has more usable area. But in such a house there is hardly at least one rectangular or square room. At least one side will be uneven. This complicates the layout, decoration, selection and installation of furniture. Most likely, all or most of the furnishings will have to be made “to order”, according to your own sizes and sketches.

Domed houses are being built, mainly using frame technology, so that the construction is easy. The frame is assembled from timber or metal pipes, sheathed with sheet building material (plywood, OSB). Insulation is laid between the racks of the frame (polystyrene foam, mineral wool, foam glass, ecological materials such as jute, dried algae, etc.). That is, apart from an unusual shape, there is no news, the materials are selected as for an ordinary frame house.

There are domed houses made of monolithic reinforced concrete. But this technology is used infrequently, especially in our country, where lumber is sometimes cheaper. If we also take into account the need for good thermal insulation of a concrete dome, its unpopularity becomes clear.

With the frames of domed houses, not everything is so simple. There are two technologies by which they are collected: geodesic and stratodesic dome. They have their own characteristics that can influence your choice.

geodesic dome

The dome is divided into triangles, from which the polyhedron is assembled. A feature of this technology is that a large number of beams converge at one point. To ensure their reliable fixation, connectors are used - special steel devices that allow you to securely connect the elements of the supporting structure. Each of the connectors costs from 600 to 1500 rubles ($10-25).

A geodesic dome for a spherical house is built on the basis of triangles

Despite the fact that the number of connectors is in the tens or even hundreds, their presence greatly affects the cost of construction. Those who plan to build a domed house with their own hands try to do without connectors or make them on their own too. The reasons are clear, but with insufficient strength of the connection, the building may collapse under load. So with savings on this node, you must be very, very careful.

By the way, when using wooden beams there is a connectorless technology, but the assembly of such units requires a high level of carpentry skill and precise execution. And one more thing: they are not as reliable as connections with metal connectors.

The advantage of this type of frame is its stable construction. With the destruction of 35% of the elements, the dome is not destroyed. This has been tested in seismically active regions, during hurricanes. This stability makes it easy to remove a certain number of jumpers. That is, an opening under the door, windows can be made anywhere, almost any size. The only thing to consider is that the windows will be triangular. In this design, there is no escape from this. For many, this is a critical shortcoming.

Another feature - when assembling the frame, without sheathing, it has good resistance to torsional loads, but does not perceive horizontal loads very well. Therefore, the frame is first assembled completely and only then it is sheathed.

Stratodesic dome

Dome houses of this design are assembled from sections of a trapezoidal shape. That is, its fragments are more like rectangles or squares. This structure allows the use of doors and windows of standard design. For many, this is a big plus.

The disadvantage of the statodesian dome is that it is possible to remove structural elements only after careful calculation and strengthening of adjacent structures. So the transfer of a door or window, resizing is possible only after the change in the bearing capacity of this section or even the dome as a whole is calculated.

This technology has its own assembly feature. The frame should be sheathed as the racks are installed. That is, the second row of racks is assembled only after the first is sheathed, the third row - after the second is sewn up with sheet material, etc. This is due to the fact that in the unfinished form - without sheathing - the frame has a high bearing capacity for vertical loads and is not very resistant to torsional loads. As soon as the edges are sheathed, it becomes very stable and reliable.

Unlike a geodesic dome, a stratodesic connector is not required to assemble. The vertical parts of the frame are connected using special-shaped locks. Horizontal jumpers are fastened with a plate, which is fixed with bolts, under which a metal plate is laid.

There is another nuance that affects the cost of a domed house. When cutting sheet material for a stratodesic dome, there are more scraps than with a geodesic dome. This somewhat increases the cost of materials. But they are compensated by the fact that windows and doors are used in a standard design, they are cheaper than triangular ones. As a result, the cost of the dome of different technologies is not much different.

Advantages and disadvantages

No one will argue with the fact that domed houses look unusual. If you want to have a house or cottage "not like everyone else" and have nothing against frame housing construction, take a closer look at this technology. The solution is really non-standard. Plus, they say it's economical. The cost per square meter starts from $200. But as you know, this is the minimum price. Such an economical option.

Advantages of domed houses

In addition to the unusual appearance, the advantages of spherical houses are as follows:


By the combination of characteristics, domed houses look very attractive. In addition, many say that the construction requires much less money - due to the smaller surface of the walls, material is saved. According to mathematical calculations, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe walls is almost a third less. But the savings, if any, are not so big - the construction is specific, using specific components that increase the cost of construction. In fact, the cost per square meter is about the same as with the usual form.

Minuses

There are also disadvantages and they are also quite serious. In any case, it is worth knowing about them and taking into account.


There is also an unusual layout, but it cannot be clearly attributed to the shortcomings. I like domed houses precisely for their originality. So the non-standard shape of the premises is rather a feature that must be taken into account when selecting / ordering furniture and choosing finishing materials.

Projects and planning features

It is far from easy to plan a round building in such a way that it is rational, beautiful, and even convenient. There are several basic techniques that most adhere to. The first thing that catches your eye is that there simply cannot be corridors in such a house. They just have nowhere to go. This is not bad, but the layout of the house becomes more difficult from this. Let's start with a simple one - how to arrange the entrance to the house.

Entry group

For our climate, it is desirable that the front doors open into a small room, and not into a large room. Saves in this case a small vestibule. About can be allocated from the total area or attached. Approximately the same tasks are performed by a covered veranda. This is a more "civilized" way to solve the problem.

Not everyone likes this approach. Today, there are other trends in the world - from the front door they get into a large spacious hall / living room. Such a layout is also possible, but additional measures are needed to cut off cold air - a thermal curtain near the entrance. It is made using convectors built into the floor or by installing several powerful radiators near the door. The first method is more efficient, the second is easier to implement. All these nuances are typical for domed houses. The only difference is that you have to rack your brains on how to fit the built-in vestibule. The other two methods are easier to solve.

Let's look at the input group device options with examples. In the picture above, the right project, the entrance doors lead to the living / dining room. This decision is typical for Europe and America. We are gradually gaining popularity, but due to the more severe climate it often brings inconvenience - each door opening in winter brings a significant portion of cold air, which reduces comfort.

The option on the left is with an attached vestibule. There are two exits from the vestibule - one to the winter garden, the other to the kitchen/dining room. The solution is no less modern, but the problem of cold air entering the living quarters has been solved. So this idea is worth adopting.

If it is decided to make the vestibule built-in, obviously, you will have to allocate some area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house. The minimum is three squares (on the left project). It is logical if the living / dining room will be located further.

Another way is to allocate a large area and use it as a hallway. Place a wardrobe here, a hanger for things “for now” (draft law). If the area allows, you can install a small sofa. For a frequent home, the presence of an entrance hall is practically a necessity. Dirt and sand are less dragged into the house. And this is another argument in favor of a dedicated input group. Attached or fenced off - it's your choice. But the entrance area is convenient. At least in our reality.

Space organization

Most often, the central part of the space of the domed house is allocated for common use. From this central area you can get to all the other rooms, which are located in a circle. In general, the central room turns out to be uncomfortable, since it is “very passable”.

It will not be possible to relax in it if it is a living room, it is not very convenient to cook in it, if the idea comes to use this room as a kitchen, as a dining room it is also not the best option. Projects that use this space in this way are presented above. It looks great in the picture, but in real life you can’t count on a chamber atmosphere here. So the passage rooms are not the most inhabited.

Not the worst way to use this passage area is to install a ladder. After all, most of the domed houses have two floors, and the screw one just asks here. Just keep in mind that if you just twist it around the pole, it will be inconvenient to use - too sharp turns are obtained. If you design a staircase like a "well", it is difficult to build it yourself. So this part will have to be delegated to someone.

Otherwise, domed houses are planned in the same way as ordinary ones. The main rule to remember is that in order for engineering systems to be not very expensive, all “wet” premises are located close to each other. The location of bedrooms, offices and other "dry" rooms - to your taste.

Related videos

No matter how detailed the technology is described, its pros and cons, it is so difficult to get an accurate idea. We receive a significant part of information and impressions visually. Pictures and photos help only partially to give a general idea. It is much better to see everything with your own eyes in the video reviews.