Nowadays, few people can be surprised by a new residential building, but this rule does not apply to the popular spherical or domed houses, the designs and prices of which are so varied that they cannot leave any buyer indifferent. Spherical buildings are unique in themselves; their design looks unusual in any area. Moreover, the incredible appearance of the domed house is not its only advantage.
Due to its unique design, each house project can differ significantly from another, since it is possible to use radically different parts. Such construction projects are highly functional. Every day they become more and more popular in the Russian construction market.
Source krovmart.ru
What is a domed house: features and history
A domed house is usually understood as a construction project with a spherical, rounded roof. However, this is only a general description of this type of building. Many people note that the domed house looks like an Eskimo dwelling (like an igloo).
Modern spherical buildings look simply incredible, the designs are amazing. For designers, a special task is the competent combination of one main sphere with five side ones. The finished result of the project largely depends on the designer’s imagination and your personal preferences.
Source greenadaptability.wordpress.com
The first spherical buildings appeared in Byzantium, and the Eskimos began to create their homes in conditions of extremely low temperatures many years ago. From this we can draw a simple conclusion - in ancient times, round-shaped houses were no less popular than today, but then a more durable material was used for their construction - natural stone.
The northern peoples were the first to notice that spherical buildings have high wind resistance and earthquake resistance.
In 1951, American architect Richard Buckminster Fuller proposed using a spherical structure as a basis for the construction of residential buildings.
Source pinterest.com
Basic technologies for constructing domed houses
Today, there are several construction technologies by which domed houses are built; designs and prices, accordingly, also “play” in one direction or another, depending on the construction method. They can be made of materials such as brick, monolith, foam concrete, polystyrene foam and even clay. Moreover, buildings made of brick, monolith and foam concrete are not much different from standard structures of residential buildings. Technologies for the construction of domed houses are classified into construction:
based on geodetic sphere;
based on a pneumatic frame;
based on permanent formwork.
One of the most common technologies for constructing a spherical house is the combined use of polystyrene foam and expanded polystyrene - while the construction of the building is carried out using the Japanese method. However, such houses require additional manipulations to ensure year-round living.
Source novate.ru
The most budget-friendly and closest to standard conditions is the technology for constructing domed houses, based on the frame method of construction. As experts note, for this kind of buildings you can use a frame made of almost any material (with sufficient strength and service life). To connect parts, connectors of various modifications and sizes are used.
Source aquagroup.ru
What foundation is suitable for a domed house?
You have decided on a site for the construction of a construction project, have decided that it will be a dome house, have drawn up a layout project with established dimensions, which means it’s time to move on to building the foundation.
Its construction requires preliminary preparation - it is necessary to mark the site, determine the zero mark and other parameters (for these purposes we recommend using a level - a geodetic device for determining the difference in heights). You should not neglect the help of professionals in the field of geodetic work.
The very essence of domed housing construction implies the absence of ceilings and load-bearing supports. This not only provides up to 30% savings on wall and ceiling materials: the structure becomes lightweight and does not require a massive foundation.
After all the preparatory work has been completed, you should proceed to digging a trench for a strip foundation (this is the best option for creating a domed house).
Source rmnt.ru
Also, a pile type of foundation is often used for a domed house.
Source: seattlehelpers.org
A strip foundation is a reinforced concrete structure installed around the perimeter of the entire construction site. As a rule, such an installation consists of sheathing (reinforcing mesh) and hardened concrete mixture. To create the sheathing, reinforcement with a diameter of 12 mm with wire binding is suitable. Next, the cement-sand mortar is poured.
When choosing the depth of the trench, keep in mind that the foundation should be located in a place where the soil freezes (this is 1500 mm below the zero level).
When constructing a pile foundation for the construction of a domed house, as a rule, screw, driven or concrete piles are used, depending on the quality of the soil.
Source designdachi.ru
Frame technology for a domed house
During construction, round house projects most often involve the use of frame technology - it ensures ease of construction. The frame is assembled from special metal pipes or timber, after which the resulting structure is sheathed with sheet building material (OSB board or plywood). An insulating element (mineral wool, jute, expanded polystyrene) is placed in the layers between the sheets.
Monolithic reinforced concrete can also be used to construct the frame of a domed house. However, this method is used very rarely in our country, due to the lower price of lumber. And don’t forget about the need for good thermal insulation of the dome, which wood copes with much better than concrete.
Today, there are two options for the frame scheme of domed houses: creating a stratodesic or geodesic dome. Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. In the process of creating a construction project, a more suitable frame model is selected.
Source pinterest.com
Source kapus.ru
Source sk-amigo.ru
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer house design services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
The technology based on the construction of a frame in the form of a triangular hemisphere is the most popular in the construction of domed houses. The frame is constructed from wooden triangular blocks of the same size.
Video description
For an overview of the domed house, watch the video:
For exterior finishing, pressed cellulose impregnated with bitumen is used, but other materials can be used, as long as they are waterproof. The inside of the frame is covered with boards, and mineral wool is used as insulation. During construction, some triangles are left open, after which similar-shaped frames with double-glazed windows are installed in them.
Source domasfera.ru
Technology for constructing a domed house based on a pneumatic frame
The method of constructing a spherical house based on a pneumatic frame is distinguished by an unusual and rather complex technology, and requires the use of special machinery and equipment, due to which the time for building a house is reduced to a minimum.
The foundation for such a house is made of strip or slab. The frame is a dome made of metal rods connected to each other by welding.
This technology must involve a prefabricated pneumatic frame. It is made individually and, when inflated, completely follows the contours of the inner surface of the dome. In those places where windows and doors should be, the frame has protrusions of a given shape and size. Manufacturing a pneumatic frame is the most expensive and complex stage of construction, but since the technology cuts construction costs in half, its price is fully recouped.
Source gr.pinterest.com
The pneumatic frame is inflated from the inside of the metal sheathing, after which a cement-polymer mortar, shotcrete or polystyrene foam is sprayed on the outside using special equipment. The main material of the dome is applied in layers, with breaks for each layer to harden. I do the same on the inside of the dome, and after the walls have completely hardened, they begin finishing.
Source remoo.ru
Features of the planning and interior design of a spherical residential building
The layout of a domed house has a number of differences from the rectangular structure we are used to. However, this does not at all limit home owners in choosing the design of the room. On the contrary, the unusual appearance of the room allows you to implement the most extraordinary interior solutions.
Source argo-project.ru
It is better to make some decorative elements and furniture to order, since most products are designed to be placed on standard walls. An excellent solution would be semicircular paintings and upholstered frameless furniture.
For a living room or office, wooden furniture will be suitable, which will exactly follow the curves of the walls, which will give the room an even more unusual ambience.
When installing communication systems, you should take into account the shape of the internal walls, as well as the technical and operational properties of the finishing materials used.
A fireplace is an integral attribute of the living room. In spherical houses, it is best to place the fireplace in the center of the room - if you want to retain all the incoming heat and solve the problem of the lack of a flat wall for mounting this interior element.
Source mypensia.ru
Photo examples of interior design in domed houses
Interior of a domed house with three bedrooms, one of which is on the second floor Source mediarenet.ro
The semicircular shapes of the stairs and kitchen furniture fit perfectly into the interior of a domed house Source pinterest.com
Source mydomplus.ru
Source pinterest.com
Source stroygram.ru
Source sk-amigo.ru
Source pinterest.ru
Examples of domed house layouts
The photo below is an example of the layout of a small domed house. There is a fairly spacious living room where you can spend family evenings and welcome guests. The kitchen is small, combined with a dining room, and the border between the place for preparing and eating food and the living room is represented by a bar counter - a modern piece of furniture that will undoubtedly appeal to a young family.
Video description
Watch the video for the experience of people living in a domed house:
The house also has a bathroom and a large bedroom on the first floor. The staircase to the second floor is located to the right of the entrance to the house, which is also very convenient. If there are living rooms on the second floor, the owners will not have to walk through the entire house to get to the second floor.
It is noteworthy that there is a fireplace in the center of the house, where you can spend long winter evenings with your family. This house is suitable for a family of three.
Source izhevsk.ru
In the next photo, the living room, located immediately at the entrance from the hallway, has been allocated less space, but the bedroom here is simply huge. It is located on the right side of the house, and one of its walls borders the bathroom, which is combined with a bathroom.
On the left side of the house there is a kitchen-dining room with access to a technical room or storage room. The staircase here is also located in the living room to the right of the entrance. If you arrange two more bedrooms on the second floor, then such a house will be perfect for a family of four.
Source krsk.au.ru
The layout of the house in the next photo is perfect for a family of two or three people. The entrance to the house is equipped with a porch from which you can enter a small hallway, and then into the living room, located on the left side of the house. On the same side there is a kitchen combined with a dining room and a bathroom. A large fireplace borders the kitchen and living room.
On the right side of the house there are two bedrooms, one of which is larger and intended for a married couple. A small bedroom can be equipped for a child. The staircase to the second floor, leading to a cozy office, is located to the right of the entrance to the living room.
Source sk-amigo.ru
Advantages and disadvantages of domed houses
In addition to the unique external characteristics, the dome house has a number of undeniable advantages:
affordable price;
no massive concrete platform required;
savings on assembly speed;
minimum construction waste;
not a lot of building materials are required for a dome house;
The outer surface area of domed buildings is smaller, and the internal volume of space is larger (corners are cut), thereby reducing heat loss in winter and heat absorption in summer;
Video description
Watch the video for the construction of a domed house:
strength, increased seismic resistance, excellent aerodynamics;
the dome can withstand high snow loads;
good sound insulation and ventilation;
originality and aesthetics at the highest level;
excellent light characteristics.
Source pinterest.ru
Experts include the following disadvantages of domed houses:
there are very few professional companies on the Russian market, the topic is quite new, enthusiastic dome builders are just trying to conquer our country;
experience in calculations and absolute accuracy in the manufacture of parts is required;
suppliers of high-quality raw materials are “worth their weight in gold”; good lumber is difficult to find;
the period of useful use of the house is inferior to stone and block buildings;
non-standard windows, made to special order, certain difficulties during installation.
But these disadvantages quickly disappear if you do not try to build a house yourself, but immediately turn to a construction company that has proven itself well in the construction market. This way you will save a lot of time and effort, and in the end you will get a high-quality domed house in which you will live cozy and comfortable. And the specialists will definitely take into account all your wishes regarding the layout.
Source kapus.ru
Photo examples of spherical houses
Two-level house based on a stratodesic dome with shingle cladding Source proteh.org
Domed house with wood elements in exterior decoration Source pinterest.com
Source lenta.ru
Source kapus.ru
Original solution: a domed house in the shape of a flying saucer Source stroygram.ru
Source stroygram.ru
Source stroygram.ru
Source svoya-izba.ru
Complex, but beautiful and original dome design Source pinterest.com
Conclusion
Considering domed houses as permanent housing, the projects and prices for them can be sorted out endlessly, because, despite the fact that such buildings appeared on the construction market relatively recently, there is no limit to the variety of projects. You can choose the simplest domed house for yourself; projects of such buildings are inexpensive, or create a special one, according to your own wishes and preferences. For example, you can take Dobrosfera domed houses, projects and prices; photos of each of them can be viewed in more detail on the website. And professional architects and designers will be happy to help you with this.
In recent years, domed houses in our country have moved from the category of exotic to the category of unusual buildings. Their owners are no longer perceived as developers who simply decided to stand out from the background of standard cottages, but as people who made a conscious choice of such a design.
But the mass distribution of domed houses, as usual, is hampered by stereotypes and a lack of practical information on the design of such structures. Therefore, in this article we will cover:
- What is the difference between a stratodesic domed house and a geodesic one?
- How to build a domed house yourself.
- How to build a dome house without using connectors.
- How much does it cost to build a domed house?
The difference between a stratodesic domed house and a geodesic one
As practice shows, people who first saw or learned about domed houses are most often divided into two categories. These are those who unconditionally accept this form of home and, let us note, this way of life, and those who consider such buildings to be a fad or, as an option, a house not for permanent residence, but a summer dacha “not like everyone else’s.”
We will not go into details discussing the advantages and disadvantages of domed houses (and, like any construction technology, there are some) and will concentrate on practice. So, there is a developer who wants to build a domed house. Where to start? An excellent example of a competent and thorough approach is the story of a portal user with the nickname Rustad.
Rustad User FORUMHOUSE
I decided to build a domed house with a relatively small area, about 100 square meters. m, near St. Petersburg. The site is sloping. The house will be used primarily in the summer with infrequent visits in the winter. I will build a geodesic dome house using connectorless technology. Such a structure is an accurate mathematical model. It is impossible to build it without calculations and design, because The error when assembling the frame and during the manufacture of parts should not exceed 1 mm. If you do not follow this rule, then when the jambs accumulate, the frame will “go away”.
Before we talk about the nuances of designing and building the house shown in the photo below, we will answer the question that is one of the first to arise before any person who plans to build a domed house.
What is the difference between a stratodesic domed house and a geodesic one? Without going into a detailed description of the technology, let's say that the key difference lies in the method of constructing the frame.
Stratodesic dome is erected from racks, for example, made from bent-laminated wooden beams, and the stages of its assembly are in many ways reminiscent of conventional frame-building technology.
The peculiarity of this technology is its resistance to vertical loads and the ability to be used in the construction of standard windows and doors.
Geodesic dome is built a little differently. First, individual sections are made, for example in the form of triangles, which are then connected to each other step by step.
When assembling the ribs (sections) of a geodesic dome, connector connection technology can be used (for example, using a metal connector).
Or (less common in Russia) connectorless technology.
Rustad I settled on the last option and, as we said above, started with the development of the project.
Rustad
Building a domed house without a design or by scribbling something with a pencil on a piece of paper is a futile endeavor. From the experience of my friends, I can say that this always leads to only one thing - rework and endless restructuring of what happened. It’s also not a panacea to hand over the project to a designer.
A designer can draw beautifully, but from a practical point of view, what he created is often simply impossible to bring to life. A house should be designed by a person with a specialized education, but even a design engineer may not take into account the position of the building on the site relative to the cardinal points, the wind rose, and the dimensions of finishing materials. That's why Rustad, Having two free months at his disposal, he sat down to design a domed house, and this is what he ended up with.
It should be noted that the project was modified several times during this time, taking into account the recommendations of experienced builders, the availability of materials, the peculiarities of furniture arrangement and the introduction of wishes from household members.
Stages of construction of a geodesic domed house
Having completed the stage of designing a domed house, Rustad proceeded to its construction. Let us immediately present several user recommendations regarding the organization of construction.
Rustad
I wanted to build the house as quickly as possible, so I hired help - one person well versed in the features of frame construction and a helper. I’ll say right away, yes, this is an extra expense, but if I were building a house alone, it would take me 3 summer seasons. At the same time, it would most likely not be possible to achieve high-quality work. Because purely physically, it is impossible for one to hold the nodes (frame edges) suspended and at the same time fasten them to each other. When assembling, you always have to tighten or bend something. A second and third pair of hands are vital. Otherwise, there will be an accumulation of errors from row to row and, as a result, a “jamb” with the upper contour.
According to the user, he supervised the construction, and his personal - physical contribution - was about 30%. The experience of a frame builder (to avoid mistakes) was also useful. The speed of circuit assembly has also increased significantly, because 2 people do the work 4 times faster than 1, and 3 people “crank out” the same amount of work 8 times faster.
Therefore, the entire construction is divided into a number of successive stages, each of which requires careful control.
1. Construction of a foundation for a domed house.
The site is located on a slope. The tilt angle is about 12 degrees. As a foundation Rustad I chose a pile-screw one. The pile field consists of 24 piles of size:
- pile diameter – 108 mm;
- pile length – 2.5 m.
The piles were tightened in 2 days, working until the night. The user notes that, having trusted the work foreman, he himself did not mark out the pile field.
As a result: several piles were not located where the components of the house were located. To correct the error, we had to weld on the “16th” channel.
2. Making the frame: ribs, posts and rafters.
We purchased winter timber for the frame and pre-cut all the pieces to size on a miter saw, in accordance with the project.
This took the user 4 days off.
3. Assembling a domed house.
Construction of the house began in April. The weather was, to put it mildly, “unflyable”: rain, snow, wind.
The construction of the domed house began with the installation of the riser (cylindrical base).
The riser was made up of triangles to make the house look like a single whole.
At this stage, the question arose of how to make an extension under the terrace. The user did not want to rotate the piles under each joist - it would have turned out to be one continuous pile field. This is not economically viable, and besides, the terrace would look ugly.
Rustad I decided to make a terrace in the form of a “balcony” - an overhang that is a continuation of the floor of the first floor. It remains to choose a material that will withstand such a load.
Rustad
When I took up this issue and contacted companies, they recommended that I make a stem from I-beams made of laminated wood. Comparing these beams (18 mm thick OSB wall) withLVL timber, section 51x300 mm, I did not see any particular economic benefit in purchasing an I-beam, but I doubt the strength and load-bearing capacityThere is no need for LVL timber. I installed it.
Having installed the logs, a temporary floor made of boards was laid on them, because... weather conditions did not allow us to do a normal one.
It took 2 days to assemble the dome (in snow, strong wind and rain).
Important nuance: to fasten the ribs and beams together, the user used 6x140 mm structural screws.
Unlike ordinary self-tapping screws (especially the so-called hardened “black” ones, which cannot withstand dynamic loads and break), a structural self-tapping screw can be bent into an arc, and it will not burst. A special notch cuts through rather than pushes apart the wood fibers, so the self-tapping screw can be screwed into a knot or into the edge of the board, and it will not crack.
Also, the self-tapping screw is stronger than ordinary ones, and the star head prevents the bit from breaking off and cutting off the edges, which makes screwing easier.
To assemble one unit of six ribs, 12 pieces are required. self-tapping screws
Engineering communications - water pipes, electrical cables were laid in the floor.
The box with electrical automation was also assembled in accordance with the project at home and placed in the “plinth”.
The next stage is covering the assembled dome with a moisture- and windproof membrane, with obligatory gluing of overlaps special tape. Stuffing the sheathing under the ventilation gap. Installation of OSB (base for flexible tiles).
The “pie” of the dome practically repeats the “pie” of the roof for the installation of a soft roof.
Important nuance: the covering of the dome was made from patterns (triangles) from OSB-3 sheets, 18 mm thick, dimensions 1220x2440 mm.
The sheathing was nailed with 6x60 mm rough nails.
Rustad
This nail holds very well. You can only pull it out with “meat”, and it gets clogged faster than turning screws.
Having made the outer contour, the builders began to insulate the floor. They blew ecowool into the floor in a layer of 30 cm, using a homemade installation based on a garden vacuum cleaner and a plastic barrel.
After insulation, the floor was covered with sheets of moisture-resistant GSP (gypsum particle boards) 12 mm thick, laid in 2 layers.
Having installed the base, we moved on to insulating the walls. For this purpose, we used synthetic non-woven material (insulation) 5 cm thick, laying it in 3 layers.
Rustad
It is pleasant to work with this type of insulation. It does not prick, is not afraid of moisture, and is lightweight. It’s just difficult to cut with a knife; it’s better to use scissors or a special electric carpet cutter. And I’ll add: it’s better not to place heavy objects on the insulation, and also not to stack rolls high. The insulation may not regain its shape after removing the load. It’s better to follow this algorithm - we bring it and put it away right away.
Having insulated the walls, they stretched a vapor barrier over the frame and also covered everything with gypsum particle boards, but only 10 mm thick.
At this stage, the house has already acquired a finished look. After the construction of the partitions, the installation of engineering systems and finishing processes began.
This included the following works.
See what sketches and designs of domed houses can look like!
First, examples of house layouts are given, consisting of one dome, which is divided into different functional zones.
At the same time, one dome in diameter can act as one whole room-house, an individual space for one family member. And the house is a complex of domes united into a single common space. Below are examples of multi-dome compositions.
These examples are given so that you can think about the location of functional zones in your domed and multi-domed houses, the purpose of rooms taking into account your interests, hobbies, activities, as well as functional zones on your site. And create for yourself the best home for a long and happy life.
HOUSE 202 sq.m.
A dome house is a unique, powerful, energy-saving design that provides enormous opportunities for developing internal and external design and is a reliable and cozy home.
A domed house is a unique, powerful, energy-saving design that provides enormous opportunities for developing internal and external design and is a reliable and cozy home.
Features of the distribution of light and sound, ergonomic advantages, unconventional vaults for a home, reminiscent of temples, fresh ideas in the design of all interior elements and, of course, energy saving also increase the value of a domed house. The appearance of such a structure is also of undoubted interest - the dome shell easily fits into any landscape - a forest, a mountain slope, a field, without disturbing its natural harmony.
There are several dozen advantages of such future technology. We list the most important of them:
— A sphere has a maximum volume with a minimum area.
— High heat capacity of the house, because the sphere has no seams.
— A very simple and effective ventilation system.
— The surface of a sphere is approximately 25% smaller than the surface of a cube, with equal volume. Thus, a quarter less materials will be spent on the construction of a domed house.
— The dome house has low weight and high strength. Such buildings would be appropriate in seismically active areas.
— If necessary, all materials for completing the house can be delivered by two or three cars or by helicopter, which allows the use of similar construction technologies in hard-to-reach areas.
— You can build entire architectural ensembles that harmoniously combine with each other.
The domed house has a successful functional layout, which includes smooth transitions, such as from the kitchen-dining room to the living room, as well as closed rooms, such as an office on the first floor and bedrooms under the dome on the second. However, for domed house projects there are no restrictions on layout. The house itself is original and its layout depends only on the owner’s imagination.
Architects all over the world believe that domed houses are the future, and according to the French, they are among the most durable (a similar domed house can stand for more than 50 years without major renovation). That is why we produce these stylish and original houses, combining them with the concept of building exclusively from environmentally friendly materials.
House plan
HOUSE 285 sq.m.
HOUSE 245 sq.m.
There are no shortcomings, only an approach that is not quite right | Blago-Stroy ©
For an uninitiated person, understanding the essence of frame house construction is quite difficult; in this article we will collect a selection of all the main advantages of round houses, including presenting a few disadvantages that also have the right to exist.
Let's start with more important aspects from the point of view of a potential customer:
Dome price— building a wooden spherical house is more profitable, but not as much as we would like, almost the entire surface of the sphere is a soft roof, and it is extremely expensive. Many have heard that for a small amount of money it is possible to build a high-quality round cottage, do not be fooled by this offer. It is important to learn the main rule of life “You can’t do anything good quickly and for pennies”, the quality of materials and good payment to installers is the key to success, when work is rewarded accordingly, a reasonable builder will give 100%, every joint and any other little thing will be taken with full responsibility and the desire to correct, to create something ideal. The cost of 1 m2 will cost you 20,000 — 25,000 rubles, this is not the upper limit yet, but it will be quite possible to build a good-quality cottage. So, what is the so-called benefit:
A massive concrete platform is not required, there is no need to wait months for the foundation to stand up, with a pile foundation this problem is completely eliminated, the next day after installation it is possible to frame it with timber and begin construction.Savings on assembly speed, 5-7 months is the limit for a professional team, variable and fixed costs are correspondingly reduced compared to brick houses.
There is a minimum of construction waste, there is no need to plaster or putty the walls, construction is practically free of dust and dirt, and this is a rather important point for the customer who will like to control the work process in unfavorable conditions.
A dome house will not require a lot of building materials, minus 25-30 percent, an important indicator, and besides, wood is cheaper than stone. It may not be that much of the total amount of work involved, but a penny saves a ruble.
The frames are assembled by installers, there is no need to call specialized equipment, only manual labor, installation of the constructor occurs very quickly, leaving the most labor-intensive finishing process.
The outer surface area of domed buildings is smaller, and the internal volume of space is larger (corners are cut), thereby reducing heat loss in winter and heat absorption in summer. It's very simple:
Area 100 m2 = Typical house 10×10 m = Perimeter 40 m
Area 100 m2 = Dome diameter 11.3 m = Perimeter 35.5 m
Strength of geodetic sphere:
There are no additional supports inside the geo frame, it itself is a load-bearing element, it is a “gold mine” for any planner and designer, complete freedom of action and implementation of conceived plans, partitions and rooms anywhere.Increased seismic resistance, the structure can withstand vibrations of up to 12 points on the Richter scale, which is perhaps why domed housing construction is beginning to actively develop in Japan.
Excellent aerodynamics, strong winds up to 250 km/h are not scary for a round house, all this is due to the absence of front walls, the air flow smoothly flows around the sphere and does not crash into the surface. Under normal operating conditions, no high or low pressure zones are created, and there are no drafts or heat loss.
The dome can withstand high snow loads of 500-600 kg/m2 or more; among other things, the accumulation of snow on a rounded surface has its limit; if the cap has formed too large, it will roll off or be blown away by the wind.
Strange as it may sound, but the larger the round house, the stronger it is, the load is distributed evenly, the symmetry of the shape gives the frame durability, a vivid example of the classic standard for the distribution of specific load per 1 kg of a structure; if you dismantle up to 1/3 of all triangles, then the building will not collapse.
Sound insulation and ventilation:
Good savings on ventilation due to the same geometric features, air constantly circulates naturally from top to bottom and bottom to top, no stagnant zones are created, additionally, installation of a 5-centimeter ventilation gap is provided for ventilation of the under-roof space.Sound insulation is carried out through the installation of a special membrane, round structures are better adapted to the streamlining of not only winds, sound effects also have less impact on the internal atmosphere.
Environmental friendliness is a controversial issue!
Yes, a frame made of softwood will have a beneficial effect on the microclimate in the house, but you should know that 60 percent of dome structures consist of insulation, and here lies the main snag. If you decide to make a thermal insulation layer by spraying, polyurethane foam (PPU), then what kind of environmental friendliness can we talk about, even if this is a reliable option, the house will definitely not freeze, but here the choice is everyone’s….
Energy efficiency:
There are no corners indoors; they often freeze and take away the lion's share of the heat; this is another important design feature. Remarkable energy efficiency; if you install a stove or fireplace in the center of the building, the house will warm up very quickly; heating costs for round buildings are much lower.Appearance
Originality and aesthetics at the highest level, a different philosophy of life. Excellent light characteristics, spherical houses better accumulate light rays; a smart solution would be to install solar panels or other independent energy sources.In conclusion, we should add positive qualities - house kits are absolutely mobile, we can produce a large number of frames for installation and transport them to any region of Russia in the shortest possible time.
Disadvantages of spherical designs
The main problem is the psychological stereotype of people, many do not trust everything new, they strive to protect themselves from possible mistakes, but there are always those who share and support our endeavors.
More details about the problem side and aspects affecting the quality of construction:
- There are very, very few professional companies on the Russian market, the topic is quite new, enthusiastic dome builders are just trying to conquer our country.
- Experience in calculations and absolute accuracy in the manufacture of parts are required.
- Suppliers of high-quality raw materials are worth their weight in gold; good lumber is difficult to find.
- The useful life of a house is inferior to stone and block buildings.
- Non-standard windows, made to special order, have certain difficulties during installation.
- A large percentage of waste in production.
All the pros and cons are revealed, domed houses have a clear advantage, but remember, improper installation can easily overshadow all the advantages.
Topics for Thought
Why are most churches and temples spherical in shape?
How did it happen that almost all living beings prefer to live in rounded dwellings, while humans have developed other preferences?
The earth is created in the shape of a ball, but we build rectangular houses...
Spherical, domed dwellings have been known for a long time - yarangas, tents, wigwams, etc. - built on this principle. They are distinguished by their high stability and ease of construction, which is what earned them 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.
Domed houses: technologies and their features
Dome or spherical house are the names of one construction 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. More precisely, in the form of a polyhedron, approaching a sphere in appearance.
This shape better withstands wind and snow loads, with an equal building area to a rectangular one, and has more usable area. But in such a house there is unlikely to be at least one rectangular or square room. At least one side will be uneven. This complicates the planning, finishing, selection and installation of furniture. Most likely, all or most of the furnishings will have to be made “to order”, according to your own dimensions and sketches.
Dome houses are built mainly using frame technology, so the construction is lightweight. The frame is assembled from timber or metal pipes, sheathed with sheet building material (plywood, OSB). Insulation (expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, foam glass, environmental materials such as jute, dried seaweed, etc.) is laid between the frame posts. That is, apart from the 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 assembled: geodesic and stratodesic domes. They have their own characteristics that can influence your choice.
Geodesic dome
The dome is divided into triangles, from which the polyhedron is assembled. The peculiarity 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 reliably connect the elements of the supporting structure. Each connector costs from 600 to 1500 rubles ($10-25).
A geodesic dome for a spherical house is built on the basis of triangles
Given that the number of connectors amounts to tens or even hundreds, their availability 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 themselves. The reasons are clear, but if the connection strength is insufficient, the building may collapse under load. So you have to be very, very careful when saving on this unit.
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 design. If 35% of the elements are destroyed, the dome does not collapse. This has been tested in seismically active regions, during hurricanes. This stability allows you to easily remove a certain number of jumpers. That is, the opening for doors and windows can be made anywhere, of almost any size. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that the windows will be triangular. There is no escape from this in this design. For many this is a critical flaw.
Another feature is that when assembling the frame, without cladding, it has good resistance to torsional loads, but does not take 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 trapezoidal sections. That is, its fragments are more like rectangles or squares. This structure allows the use of doors and windows of a standard design. For many this is a big plus.
The disadvantage of the statodesian dome is that structural elements can only be removed after careful calculation and strengthening of adjacent structures. So, moving a door or window or changing dimensions is possible only after the change in the load-bearing capacity of this area or even the dome as a whole has been calculated.
This technology also has its own assembly feature. The frame must 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 sheathed with sheet material, etc. This is due to the fact that in its unfinished form - without cladding - the frame has a high load-bearing capacity for vertical loads and is not very resistant to torsional loads. Once the edges are sheathed, it becomes very stable and reliable.
Unlike a geodesic dome, a stratodesic connector is not required for assembly. The vertical parts of the frame are connected using specially shaped locks. Horizontal jumpers are attached using a plate, which is fixed with bolts, under which a metal plate is placed.
There is one more nuance that affects the cost of a domed house. When cutting sheet material for a stratodesic dome, more scraps remain than when constructing a geodesic one. This increases material costs to some extent. But they are compensated by the fact that windows and doors are of a standard design, and they are cheaper than triangular ones. As a result, the cost of a dome of different technologies differs little.
Advantages and Disadvantages
No one will argue with the fact that domed houses look unusual. If you want to have a house or dacha “not like everyone else” and have nothing against frame house construction, take a closer look at this technology. The solution is truly non-standard. In addition, they say it is economical. The cost per square meter starts from $200. But as you understand, this is the minimum price. This is an economical option.
Pros of domed houses
In addition to the unusual appearance, the advantages of spherical houses are as follows:
Based on the totality of their characteristics, domed houses look very attractive. In addition, many say that construction requires much less money - due to the smaller surface of the walls, material is saved. According to mathematical calculations, the area of the walls is almost a third less. But if there are any savings, they will not be that big - the construction is specific, using specific components that increase the cost of construction. In fact, the cost per square meter is approximately the same as with a conventional form.
Cons
There are also disadvantages and they are also quite serious. In any case, it is worth knowing about them and taking them into account.
There is also an unusual layout, but it cannot be clearly classified as a disadvantage. I like domed houses precisely because of 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 a few basic techniques that most people follow. The first thing that catches your eye is that there simply cannot be corridors in such a house. They simply have nowhere to lead. This is not bad, but it makes the layout of the house more complicated. Let's start with something simple - how to decorate the entrance to the house.
Entrance group
For our climate, it is desirable that the entrance doors open into a small room, and not into a large room. In this case, a small vestibule helps. O can be allocated from the general area or attached. A covered veranda performs approximately the same tasks. This is a more “civil” way to solve the problem.
Not everyone likes this approach. Today there are other trends in the world - from the front door you enter 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. This is done using convectors built into the floor or by installing several powerful radiators near the door. The first method is more effective, the second is easier to implement. All these nuances are typical for domed houses. The only difference is that you will have to rack your brains to figure out how to fit in the built-in vestibule. The other two methods are easier to solve.
Let's look at the options for setting up an entrance group using examples. In the picture above, the right design, the entrance doors open into the living/dining room. This solution is typical for Europe and America. It is gradually gaining popularity here, but due to the harsher climate it often brings inconvenience - each opening of the doors 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 living spaces has been solved. So this idea is worth adopting.
If you decide to make the vestibule built-in, you will obviously have to allocate some area of the house. The minimum is three squares (on the left project). It would be logical if there would be a living/dining room next.
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 space allows, you can install a small sofa. For a private home, having a hallway is practically a necessity. Dirt and sand are less likely to be dragged into the house. And this is another argument in favor of a dedicated entrance group. Attached or fenced off - it’s your choice. But the entrance area is convenient. At least in our realities.
Organization of space
Most often, the central part of the space of a domed house is allocated for common areas. From this central area you can access all the other rooms, which are arranged in a circle. In general, the central room turns out to be inconvenient, since it is “very walkable.”
You won’t be able to relax in it if it’s a living room, it’s not very convenient to cook in it, if you come up with the idea of using this room as a kitchen, or as a dining room, it’s 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 an intimate atmosphere here. So the walk-through rooms are not the most habitable.
Not the worst way to use this passage area is to install a staircase. After all, most domed houses have two floors, but a screw one just begs to be built here. You just need to take into account that if you simply twist it around a pole, it will be inconvenient to use - the turns will be too sharp. If you design a staircase like a “well,” it will be difficult to build it yourself. So this part will have to be entrusted to someone.
Otherwise, domed houses are planned in the same way as ordinary ones. The basic rule to remember is that in order for engineering systems not to be very expensive, all “wet” rooms are located close to each other. The location of bedrooms, offices and other “dry” rooms is up to your taste.
Video on the topic
No matter how detailed the technology, its pros and cons are described, it is so difficult to get an accurate picture. We receive a significant part of information and impressions visually. Pictures and photos help only partially give an overall idea. It is much better to see everything with your own eyes in video reviews.
