Dome house: construction technologies and layout features. A modern look at housing - domed houses: projects and prices, photo examples DIY domed houses

There are no shortcomings, there is not quite the right approach | Blago-Build ©

For an uninitiated person, it is quite difficult to understand the essence of frame housing construction, in this article we will collect a selection of all the main advantages of round houses, including the few disadvantages that also have the right to be.
Let's start with more important aspects, from the point of view of a potential customer:

Dome price- the construction of 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 really possible to build a high-quality round cottage, do not flatter yourself with this offer. It is important to learn the main rule of life “You can’t do anything good quickly and for a penny”, the quality of materials and good payment to installers is the key to success, when the work is appropriately rewarded, a reasonable builder will give everything 100%, every jamb and any other trifle will be taken with full responsibility and the desire to fix, to create something perfect. The cost of 1 m2 will cost you 20,000 — 25,000 rubles, this is not the upper limit, but it will be quite possible to build a solid cottage. So, what is the so-called benefit:

A massive concrete platform is not required, there is no need to wait for months for the foundation to stand up, with a pile foundation such a problem is completely excluded, the next day after installation it is possible to tie it with a bar and start construction.
Savings on assembly speed, 5-7 months is the limit for a professional team, respectively, variable and fixed costs are reduced compared to brick houses.
A minimum of construction debris, there is no need to plaster and putty the walls, the construction is practically dust and dirt free, and this is quite an important point for the customer, who likes to control the work process in adverse conditions.
The house dome will not require so many building materials, minus 25-30 percent, an important indicator, besides, wood is cheaper than stone. Let it be not so much from the total amount of work, but a penny saves a ruble.
The frames are assembled by installers, no need to call for specialized equipment, only manual labor, the installation of the designer is very fast, the most labor-intensive finishing process remains.
The outer surface area of ​​domed buildings is smaller, and the internal volume of space is larger (corners are cut off), due to this, heat loss in winter and absorption in summer are reduced. Everything is 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

Geodesic sphere strength:

There are no additional supports inside the geo frame, it is the supporting element itself, it is a “gold mine” for any planner and designer, complete freedom of action and implementation of plans, partitions and rooms anywhere.
Increased seismic resistance, the design can withstand fluctuations up to 12 points on the Richter scale, which is probably why dome housing construction is beginning to develop actively in Japan.
Excellent aerodynamics, the strongest winds up to 250 km/h are not terrible for a round house, all this is due to the absence of frontal walls, the air flow smoothly flows around the sphere, does not crash into the surface. Under normal operating conditions, high and low pressure zones are not created, there are no drafts and heat weathering.
The dome withstands 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 is too large, it will roll off or be blown away by the wind.
Oddly enough, it sounds, but the larger the round house, the stronger it is, the load is distributed evenly, the symmetry of the shape gives the frame endurance, a vivid example of the classic standard for distributing the specific load per 1 kg of construction, if you dismantle up to 1/3 of all triangles, then the building will not collapse.

Soundproofing and ventilation:

Good savings on ventilation due to the same geometric features, air constantly circulates naturally from top to bottom and from bottom to top, stagnant zones are not created, an additional 5 cm ventilation gap is provided for ventilation of the under-roof space.
Soundproofing is carried out by means of a special membrane, round structures are better adapted to the streamlining of not only winds, sound effects also have less effect on the internal atmosphere.

Sustainability is a moot point!

Yes, a frame made of coniferous wood will have a beneficial effect on the microclimate in the house, but you should know that 60 percent of the dome structures are made of insulation, and this is where the main snag lies. If you decide to make a heat-insulating 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 through, but here the choice is up to everyone ....

Energy Efficiency:

There are no corners inside the premises, they often freeze through 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 structure, the house will warm up very quickly, the heating costs of round buildings are much lower.

Appearance

Originality and aesthetics at the highest level, a different philosophy of life. Excellent lighting characteristics, spherical houses better accumulate light rays, a smart solution would be to install solar panels or other independent energy sources.

In conclusion, the positive qualities should be added - the 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 undertakings.

More about the problematic side and aspects affecting the quality of construction:

1. 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.
2. Experience in calculations is required, absolute precision in the manufacture of parts.
3. Suppliers of high-quality raw materials are "worth their weight in gold", good lumber is hard to find.
4. The useful life of a house is inferior to stone and block buildings.
5. Non-standard windows, made by special order, certain difficulties during installation.
6. A large percentage of waste in production.

All the features of the pros and cons are disclosed, domed houses have a clear preponderance of advantages, but remember, improper installation can easily overshadow all the advantages.

Topics for reflection

Why are most churches and temples spherical?

How did it happen that almost all living beings prefer to exist in rounded dwellings, while humans have other preferences?

The earth was created in the form of a sphere, but we build rectangular houses ...

In the article we will talk about the technology of dome construction, about the features and advantages of domed houses, about the three most famous methods for erecting such buildings. But most importantly, we will introduce you to the calculation of economic costs, the result of which gave domed houses an undeniable advantage.

The use of dome construction technology makes it possible to halve the cost of building materials and reduce the construction time by a factor of three. The solution of the problem rests only on the technical re-equipment of construction sites, because all the necessary materials have already been used in construction for so long. In the United States and Western Europe, this technology has been successfully used since the end of the twentieth century. Fortunately, now a good and solid foundation has been laid in the post-Soviet space for the development of domed housing construction.

A bit about the history of origin

Acquaintance with domed houses should begin with a study of the history of their occurrence. Since ancient times, man has known for certain the essence of harmony with the surrounding world, partly expressed in the form of buildings. An example of this is the multiple prototypes of ancient dwellings created in the form of a hemisphere: the Eskimo igloo, the wigwam of the North American Indians, the tents of the African tribes. Many cults and religious denominations also tend to use domes as elements or foundations for temples, cathedrals and chapels.

In the modern world, the technology of domed housing construction dates back to the first half of the 20th century, when the American engineer Richard Fuller patented a construction technology that could provide post-war Europe with affordable housing. Unfortunately, the idea did not gain popularity, but after fifty years they started talking about domed houses again, and this time they were serious.

Initially, the idea of ​​houses in the form of a hemisphere became interesting to the inhabitants only because of their original shape. A little later, people realized the undeniable advantages of such buildings and their number in the modern world is constantly growing.

Design features

Due to the special shape, domed structures can be safely classified as works of art. They look quite tiny, but this image is deceptive: despite their external compactness, these houses are very spacious. You may get the impression of fragility and unreliability of the structure, but an attractive appearance in this case does not at all imply the presence of technical flaws. Dome houses in all respects are superior to conventional cubic-type buildings.

The basis for building a house

The very essence of domed housing construction implies the absence of ceilings and load-bearing supports. This gives not only up to 30% savings on wall and ceiling materials: the structure becomes light and does not require a massive base.

Obvious savings from the construction of a domed house are already visible at the first stage of construction - in the process of building the foundation. Lightweight base saves 50% of the money spent on excavation and concrete work. As a basis, a strip or pile foundation is usually used.

Construction of buildings based on a geodesic sphere

The first known method for the implementation of domed buildings was a technology based on a frame in the form of a triangular hemisphere. The method is based on the use of triangular blocks of equal size, which, with increasing height, tilt their tops more and more towards the center, thus forming a dome. When connected, the blocks form a frame, up to forty centimeters thick.

Outside, the house is finished with pressed cellulose impregnated with bitumen, metal sheathing or simply plastered. The main requirement for exterior finish materials is absolute water resistance. From the inside, the walls are sewn up with boards, and mineral wool of medium density is used as a heater. The problem of natural lighting in the house is solved by triangular double-glazed windows in a plastic frame, made according to the dimensions of a standard frame cell. If the double-glazed window is enclosed in a reinforced metal frame, adjacent frame cells can be combined, achieving a non-standard geometric shape of the window.

The peculiarity of this method is that the buildings are made of environmentally friendly materials. The geodesic dome is today used as a basis in exhibition pavilions, greenhouses and sports complexes.

Another method of erection became available relatively recently, and owes its appearance to the rapid development of polymeric materials. This technology is the most unusual and complex, but it is thanks to it that the construction time of a house can be reduced to a minimum. The question of the applicability of this method directly depends on the availability of specialized equipment in the construction area: installations for spraying concrete mixtures and equipment for installing pneumatic frames.

The basis of the house, as always, is a light strip foundation in the form of a ring or a solid monolithic slab. Along the perimeter of the foundation with an indent from the outer edge of 20 cm, the “tails” of the vertical reinforcement elements are displayed. The rods should protrude at least 40 cm, and the distance between them is from 30 to 50 cm, depending on the size of the building and the diameter of the rods. The fittings are necessarily profiled, with a thickness of at least 12 millimeters. The task of calculating the concrete structure and its reinforcement scheme is best entrusted to an organization specializing in architectural design. Although the construction technique of domed houses is not regulated by specific state regulations, the methodology for calculating the strength and technical characteristics of spherical concrete structures was established in the last century.

The next stage is the construction of a mesh of the main reinforcement of the walls. By means of welding or threaded connection, steel rods of nominal diameter are added to the protruding reinforcement, the length of which is equal to a quarter of the circumference of the central section of the sphere. After building, the rods are bent to the axis of the building, forming a dome. Typically, the length of the longitudinal rods is chosen with a margin, cutting off excess reinforcement when mating, which are subsequently used to additionally connect the elements of the reinforcing mesh.

As an end connection can be used:

• a ring with an I-beam or channel profile, if you plan to make the top of the dome transparent;
• pairing of two round steel sheets;
• connecting section in the form of a star from tubes of the appropriate diameter (the number of vertices is equal to the number of longitudinal elements of the reinforcing mesh).

When the frame has acquired the shape of a hemisphere, transverse rods are added to the vertical rods by welding or wire knitting.

This technology should involve a prefabricated pneumatic frame. It is made individually and, when inflated, completely repeats the contours of the inner surface of the dome. In those places where there should be windows and doors, the frame has ledges of a given shape and size. The manufacture of a pneumoframe is the most costly and difficult stage of construction, but since the technology cuts construction costs by half, its price is fully paid off.

You can order a frame from enterprises that manufacture inflatable trampolines, prefabricated pneumatic structures or water slides. As a material, it is better to choose a high-density fabric with latex or PVC impregnation. The cost of the frame will be from 50 thousand rubles, the production time is about two months. After use, the product is quite realistic to sell to any construction company.

All subsequent work is carried out in stages:

1. The pneumoframe is firmly fixed inside the steel crate and inflated.
2. At the locations of doors and windows on the reinforcing mesh, the dimensions of future openings are marked according to the shape of the protrusions on the frame.
3. The frame is deflated and removed for the duration of welding.
4. According to the markup, the reinforcement is cut out. The openings are edging on all four sides with profile fittings in 2-3 rows.
5. The frame is treated with a hydrophobic composition and installed in place.

The final stage of work is the deposition of the base material on the dome. The process is divided into several stages: layer-by-layer application of the composition is carried out with a layer thickness of 3.5 to 8 cm, depending on the type of material. After the first layer has been applied, but has not yet hardened, special beacon rods of a fixed length are immersed in it perpendicular to the plane of the frame, which will be used to control the thickness of the walls and the uniformity of the spraying. Cement-polymer or shotcrete, expanded polystyrene, or a combination of different materials can be used as the main wall material. For example, the outer and inner layers of spraying are made of shotcrete, thereby providing increased surface strength.

After the final solidification of the mixture, the frame is dismantled, the spraying defects in the openings are eliminated, at which the process of erecting the dome ends.

Dome houses based on fixed formwork and factory-made buildings

Dome construction has become widespread in Russia largely due to the systems of fixed polystyrene formwork and spherical block-type buildings. The initial task of these technologies is the implementation of objects of the so-called rapid construction. In this case, the construction of domed houses takes no more than two weeks (excluding the construction of the foundation and internal arrangements).

Both technologies have a number of similar features:

1. The main elements of buildings are produced in the conditions of house-building factories, after which they are transported to the facility and assembled there.
2. Expanded polystyrene is used as the starting material of the blocks.
3. Buildings are characterized by increased energy efficiency: in fact, a domed house becomes a kind of "thermos" due to the high content of heat-insulating materials in the design. External finishing in both cases is carried out by applying waterproof facade plaster.
4. Any type of foundation can be used as a foundation, including a lightweight foundation for a frame house.
5. The delivery set almost always contains a technical design of the building and recommendations for construction work.

There are also several differences:

1. Block houses do not require additional concrete work.
2. The prefabricated structure can be dismantled and relocated. Very often, the use of such houses is seasonal.
3. Technologies differ in the methods of arranging door and window openings.
4. Block buildings, unlike formwork buildings, are often supplied complete (including doors, windows, ventilation systems, etc.).
5. The use of fixed formwork somewhat limits the variety of shapes and sizes.

As for the construction technique, it is quite simple. Structural elements, after delivery to the construction site, are sorted and divided into groups. The basement level is mounted first: it is attached to the base by means of brackets or anchors. Behind him is the construction of the dome. The blocks are shaped like honeycombs of the same size and shape. They are fixed to each other by locking or overhead mechanical connections.

If we are talking about buildings with fixed formwork, then concrete can be poured both after complete assembly and during its process. In any case, as the main structure is erected, a reinforcing frame is mounted inside it. The top of the dome is a separately supplied multi-layer block, which can be made in the form of a double-glazed window in a plastic frame.

After the walls are erected:

1. Installation of doors and windows:
   • window and door openings in formwork houses remain smooth. Installation is carried out in any available way;
   • block structures often have factory grooves and locking (mechanical) connections, which facilitates the installation process.
2. Sealing joints with mounting polyurethane foam.
3. External finishing, installation of window sills, ventilation grilles and other fittings.
4. The device of the blind area of ​​the foundation and the installation of drainage channels.

The exterior finish of formwork buildings requires the application of a layer of rough plaster using fiberglass mesh. In block houses, the outer layer of parts has a special coating (for example, polymer cement), which facilitates the process of facade finishing, or a finished waterproof finish surface with decorative elements.

Installation of ceilings and partitions

The arrangement of interfloor ceilings is provided mainly in domed houses based on the geosphere and pneumoframe. Ceilings can be either prefabricated or reinforced concrete. The process of building them is quite simple:

1. First, the main frame is assembled from metal or wooden beams. In the first case, a tee or two-tee assortment with “pyatak” on the ends is used. Steel beams are fastened with anchors or pass-through brackets, and screw pins are used to fix wooden beams, which are screwed in from the outside of the building.
2. Supporting structures are connected by ties.
3. The prefabricated wooden floor is filled with mineral wool and sewn up with edged boards or wood boards.
4. If reinforced concrete is required to be poured, a reinforcing mesh with a cell size of 10x10 cm and a wire thickness of at least 6 mm is installed between the supporting beams.
5. Formwork for pouring concrete is made of OSB-plates, which are attached to the beams with galvanized wire. As a rule, five anchor points are required per linear meter of a beam.
6. The formwork should be covered with polyethylene, after which the concrete mix can be poured.

Features and benefits of domed houses

Houses built using any of the dome construction technologies are distinguished by a number of special properties that cannot be achieved by traditional construction methods. It is thanks to these differences that domed buildings are not just an alternative to cubic-type houses. They represent a completely new type of structures that can solve most of the pressing domestic problems in the absence of any material costs.

Energy Saving Features

Heating a domed house in winter requires 20-30% less energy compared to conventional buildings. Firstly, this is achieved due to the unique shape of the house: with the same area, the volume of the domed building is much smaller. In addition, the spherical shape of the room helps to maintain constant natural air circulation, which means that warmer air will not accumulate at the top of the room. This feature is clearly seen in thermal imaging survey. There is another trick, thanks to which you can achieve additional savings on heating: if you place panoramic windows or a transparent top of the dome in the upper part of the building, the house will additionally heat up due to the greenhouse effect.

Unsurpassed strength characteristics

Ideally even distribution of the load on the structure is ensured by its spherical shape. Whatever section of the structure is subjected to mechanical impact, it will be effectively distributed throughout the array. This property is especially pronounced in houses built on the basis of a triangular frame due to the balanced placement of stiffeners and support points. For regions with an unstable climate, domed houses are best suited: thanks to their streamlined shape, they remain immune to gusts of wind at speeds up to 230 km / h.

Maximum Savings

As mentioned above, building a house using dome technology saves about 50% of money. Let's check this statement by comparing a domed house with a traditional one.

Comparison of material costs for the construction of houses of different types

Comparison criteria	Standard one-story house	Domed house
Main options building	Total area: 100 m2 The smallest possible perimeter length: 40 m Inner perimeter length: 34.4m	Total area: 100.24 m2 Outer border radius: 5.65 m Inner border radius: 5.25 m Outer circumference: 35.48 m Inner circumference: 35.08 m
Data about the foundation	Area in the horizontal plane: 26.04 m 2 Minimum allowable height: 0.7 m Volume of concrete mass: 18.23 m 3	Area in the horizontal plane: 13.69 m 2 Minimum allowed height: 0.4 m Volume of concrete mass: 5.48 m 3
Data about exterior walls	Wall thickness: 0.6 m Building height: 2.7 m The volume of the array of walls: 59.62 m 3	Wall thickness: 0.4 m Building height: 4.7 m The volume of the array of walls: 57.94 m 3
decorative trim	The area of ​​the outer surface of the walls: 108 m 2 The area of ​​the inner surface of the walls: 92.88 m 2	The area of ​​the outer surface of the walls: 157.08 m 2 The area of ​​the inner surface of the walls: 132.95 m 2
Roofing	Wanted	Not required

Estimated cost of the main types of materials, rub.
Purpose	For a standard house	For a house on the geosphere	For a house on a pneumoframe
Foundation (concrete only)	For a cube m: 2900 Total: 52 867	For a cube m: 2900 Total: 15,892 + 20% * = 19,070	For a cube m: 2900 Total: 15 892
Walls	Cinder block + Brick For a cube m: 3250 Complete: 193 765	Concrete For a cube m: 2900 Complete: 168 026	Wood + Mineral wool For a cube m: 2300 Complete: 133,262
Roof	Per sq. m: 2850 Complete: 359 100	Not required	Not required
Ceiling	Per sq. m: 1100 Total: 110,000	Not required	Not required
facade Finishing	Per sq. m: 950 Total: 102 600	Per sq. m: 1300 Complete: 204 204	Per sq. m: 500 Total: 78 540
Final price	818 332	391 300	227 696

* Strip foundations in this case are almost a quarter higher.

Optimum distribution of space and unsurpassed comfort

Due to the fact that there are no load-bearing walls, the domed house has no planning restrictions. It can easily combine the living room and dining room into one spacious room with a high ceiling. A rest room can occupy at least half of the entire house, and there will be no problems with installing a jacuzzi in the bathroom. It is noteworthy that during the overhaul, the layout can be changed by transferring prefabricated partitions. In domed houses, there is no need to isolate yourself in closed rooms, trying to protect yourself from irritants: the sphere effectively absorbs sound and at the same time does not let in noise from the street.

Most people think of a house as a rectangular box with a pitched roof.

The attitude to the structures of spherical and domed outlines is twofold. Attracting attention with an unusual "cosmic" view, many of them raise doubts about the reliability and convenience of living.

This article will help you overcome the prevailing "cubic" stereotype, objectively study the advantages and disadvantages of domed houses, and evaluate the possibility of their self-construction.

House sphere - a whim of an architect or a hint of nature?

Let's start with the fact that man borrowed many outstanding inventions from nature, observing the life of animals. Let's pay attention to the "technologies" used by birds in the construction of their homes. It is easy to see that there are no right angles anywhere. Hemispheres, balls, circles - only such forms are recognized by nature. It turns out that the residential "box" we so love is not at all the crown of creation.

Drawing attention to this natural phenomenon, engineers investigated the mechanical properties of spherical and domed structures. It turned out that they not only have excellent aerodynamics, but are also much stronger than rectangular ones.

The energetically spherical surface is flawless. With a maximum internal volume, it has a minimum area. Therefore, in a domed structure, heat loss to the external environment is several times less than in an ordinary house. No wonder the inhabitants of the Arctic, the Eskimos, have been building spherical “igloo” houses from snow for centuries. Practical experience told them what a wind-resistant and energy-efficient design should be.

Nowadays, spherical houses from the field of theorists have moved into the category of practical technologies for ecological construction. Thousands of people all over the world managed to evaluate their advantages and do not regret their choice.

Examples and varieties of dome structures

A spherical structure can be built in two ways:

• In the form of a geodesic dome (assembled from triangular frame cells joined using nodal elements - connectors).
• From bent racks or arched segments connected by vertices (stratodesic dome).

geodesic dome

Stratodesic dome

Bent-glued wooden racks for assembling a stratodesic dome

According to the technology of the stratodesic dome, "poppy domes" of Orthodox churches are collected. The geodesic dome came to us from America. Engineer Fuller is considered its inventor.

Despite the differences in appearance, these structures are characterized by minimal weight, high rigidity and stability.

Sphere-shaped houses can be built from any material, from foam to concrete. The choice of a particular option depends on the technical equipment of the performer. For the construction of residential buildings, structures with a wooden frame are most often used.

There are several reasons for this. Wood is an environmentally friendly and durable material with high elasticity. Geodesic domes are assembled from wooden beams, connecting them with steel connectors.

House frame based on a geodesic dome

Stratodesic residential structures are built from curved glued beams.

Building frame based on a stratodesic dome

The Japanese technology of spherical buildings is based on the use of bent foam blocks with locks. Of these, small one-story buildings are assembled. Styrofoam in such a house performs two functions at once: structural material and insulation.

A modern igloo house is not built from snow, but from a foam shell

The minimum weight of the house-sphere allows you to build it on a shallow strip or pile foundation. For insulation of sections, mineral wool, straw, ecowool or polystyrene are used.

The most common type of roofing is soft bituminous tiles. This material fits perfectly on curved surfaces.

House-sphere covered with shingles

Supporters of green building make a choice in favor of wooden shingles - thin boards that form an original scaly coating.

Wooden shingle looks natural on a spherical building

Two-level house based on a stratodesic dome with shingle cladding

Recently, new materials have appeared on the market, ideally adapted to create a seamless roofing carpet. These are “liquid cork” (particles of cork in an acrylic polymer) and liquid rubber.

As we have already said, the material for building a spherical house can be varied. If you like concrete better, no problem.

Using spray technology, it is possible to build domed structures from lightweight concrete

Modern technologies make it possible to build such houses using PVC pneumoformwork, on which foamed insulation is applied. Then a reinforcing cage is placed over the insulation and a concrete mixture is applied to it by shotcrete.

You cannot build a house-sphere out of straw blocks alone. This material is used as a heater. The straw is stuffed tightly into the cells of the boards and a dome is assembled from them.

The spatial frame is made of wooden cells filled with straw.

Construction features

More recently, the dome house was a building exotic. Enthusiasts of the environmental movement and lovers of original designs took on its construction. Today, the Internet is filled with factory kits of spherical houses. An unusual dwelling based on a geodesic dome and a stratodesic structure can be bought without leaving a city apartment.

For those who prefer to do everything with their own hands, we recommend stopping at the geodesic dome. In assembly, it is a little more complicated than a semi-arched sphere house, but it does not require sophisticated equipment for bending and gluing wood.

The most important design node is the connector. The spatial docking of all elements depends on the accuracy of its manufacture. Therefore, for work it is better to buy a ready-made factory kit.

The next step is to prepare the frame ribs from 50 mm thick wooden bars. Their width should be equal to the thickness of the insulation (at least 10 cm). The length of the ribs is chosen based on the assembly diagram of the geodome.

Required explanation: in the calculations of dome frames, the term "frequency" or "section" is used, denoted by the symbol V. It determines the density of breaking the surface of the dome into triangles. The higher the frequency, the less “angular” and more spherical the dome structure is.

However, an increase in frequency causes an increase in the number of ribs and connectors, significantly complicating the design. Therefore, in practice, domed houses are most often built with a frequency of 2V.

Staking frequency (V) of the dome surface is the basic element of calculations

In addition to the frequency, you need to determine the diameter of the dome and its height. If you buy a ready-made set of connectors, then you do not have to use an online calculator to calculate the length of the ribs. The manufacturer makes connectors for assembling the frame of a given height and diameter.

As practice shows, a dome with a diameter of 8 meters and a height of 4 meters is optimal for the construction of a two-level country house with a total area of ​​64 m2, a winter garden or a sauna.

In order to build a domed house with your own hands, you need to perform several operations:

• Mark the foundation for the frame on the site (tape, columnar, "Swedish plate" or pile).
• At the stage of concreting, lay the anchor in the foundation. They are needed for fastening the lining beam, to which the first row of "triangles" of the frame is fixed.
• The assembly is carried out in parallel rows, connecting the frame ribs into a spatial structure using connectors.
• After completing the installation, the inside of the dome is sheathed with wooden clapboard or plasterboard.
• Insulation is laid in the frame cells, covered with a windproof membrane and sheathed on the outside with a slab or OSB.
• In places where windows are installed, sheathing is not done. In the door installation area, the frame is “torn apart”, leaving a niche of the desired size in it. The rigidity of a geodesic dome is very high, so doorways cannot significantly reduce it.

Two-level house-sphere at the stage of OSB cladding

Some developers make the first floor in the form of a polyhedron, and the second is crowned with a geo-dome.

The doorway fits perfectly into the design of the spherical building. But triangular windows and additional elements of the door frame are more expensive than usual. They have to be ordered as non-standard products.

Advantages and interior of domed houses

In addition to the advantages mentioned - unique strength and wind resistance, spherical structures have other advantages:

• cost-effectiveness (due to a light foundation, assembly without involving cranes, the use of effective insulation);
• the possibility of free planning of living space due to the absence of internal walls;
• excellent soundproofing qualities;
• attractive appearance and unique interior.

Inside, the round buildings are surprisingly roomy and beautiful. The high height allows you to easily place the second floor in them.

Even under a small 4-meter dome, you can place a comfortable bath. The spherical shape and the central location of the furnace provide heat savings and uniform heating of the premises.

Sauna under the dome - compact and convenient

The nature of reviews of domed houses is mostly positive. The owners like the original shape, comfort and spaciousness of these buildings.

Energy savings, low construction costs of spherical buildings are also often mentioned in the comments of their owners.

From subjective positive emotions, one should note the peace and tranquility felt by a person in such a house.

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 the 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, do not want to spend a lot of money on home decoration, can solve the problem by choosing a domed structure 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).

• The dome house is an ideal option for living: 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.

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.

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 (expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, foam glass, ecological materials such as jute, dried algae, etc.) is laid between the frame racks. 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 an 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 offset 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.