Comments on: PREFAB FRIDAY: Sustainable Homes from Easy Domes

By: bnlaneville

bnlaneville — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:35:22 +0000

Although these homes are efficient are the truly green? I haven’t read a very good explanation of the building process, and I think SIP’s would be a major bonus. The photos that I viewed on the official website didn’t present a minimal footprint approach. Aside from these concerns it appears to be great aesthetically. I would like to see a metal roof option also.

By: EgoMartini

EgoMartini — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:13:16 +0000

I think these structures are brilliant. Every few years I put in much web research into geodesic domes and I’ve always come to the same conclusion – simple idea but if you get your math wrong (and sometimes when it get it right) you get wet. I am happy to see someone get a mass produced dome right – and with a sod roof – bonus. I am excited to see an architect put their mind to the task of building an inexpensive – low energy – green home with so many possibilities. To me this is the Holy Grail of architecture – its like the VW Beetle of home design. With the modular concept of these domes you could build a home as big as you would could ever wish for but for me it offers the idea of doing more with less or making smaller spaces work more efficiently
I would love to see Kari work with Andy Thomson of Mini Homes and Rapid rooms to build an interior for these structures. Andy can make a 250 sq.ft. home space feel and work like 500 sq.ft. with ideas like his book shelf stair case , raised cabinets and fold away work spaces.

Great work Kari

By: Inhabitat » Solar Powered Mobile Emergency Response Studio

Inhabitat » Solar Powered Mobile Emergency Response Studio — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:58:00 +0000

[...] a lucite cover, while the micro wind turbine is mounted on a 35′ mast. The studio features a geodesic skylight for daylighting and head room in the work area, and a side wall lowers down to become a [...]

By: kari

kari — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:15:57 +0000

For heating purposes all available technique can be used. For the cottages a small wood-burning stove quickly heats up the entire room (kitchen and living room) when no solar energy is present. Of course depending on where on the globe – climate zone – you are situated, the energy technique will be suited to this. Solar regions will use solar panels for both hot water, room heating in nighttime, as photovoltaic panels or thin film membranes for electricity. Bio fuel (methanol or ethanol) from waste and third generation organic material, or hydrogen produced from renewables like wind, solar etc. can be used in different techniques either by direct use in an combustion engine (too much noise and low efficiency) or by injection in a fuel cell stack.
Heat pumps are useable – hopefully with needed electricity provided from renewable sources.
Traditional techniques as gas or oil burners can be used – but, as we are aware of climate impacts from burning off fossil fuel, we and our future generations will have to look in other directions for sustainable and renewable energy supply.
Hope this can support Drop.

By: Drop

Drop — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:28:42 +0000

very interesting project and the development of ideas Fuller, what equipment is used for heating?

By: Avarana

Avarana — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:57:39 +0000

Thanks for the info, Kari

By: kari

kari — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:28:10 +0000

Easy Domes Ltd will like to make a short comment to TankFox concerning the “wooden box sitting out in the rain” – and leaks followed by expensive repairs. Our first dome is more than 25 years old and still no raindrop has come through roof, windows, walls or technical installations/pipes. None of our domes has yet had the need of any repair from rain. The reason is mainly because the outside wall is double – first the inner load construction where all edges are sealed with rubber – next because the outside membrane – here first class vertical mounted profiled pinewood is laid with aluminum list under / and over each section – the pentagon, the hexagon and quadrangle.
The handmade windows in each pentagon – not standing vertical – have a special drainage system leading rainwater to pass smoothly.
Compared to many domes based on the triangle system, our solution is a plate structure with ventilated space between the in- and outside cover. This both makes a good inside climate without the risk of condensation on the inside of the outer cover/membrane as prevents possible raindrops going through e.g. the roof – covered with an outside waterproof asphalt membrane next an plastic membrane beneath the grass turf .
So, we can secure all interested home builders that our dome constructions and technical solutions are proven and 100% waterproof.

By: GoGreenTara

GoGreenTara — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:59:16 +0000

These homes look awesome. I would love to see the inside of one.

By: TankFox

TankFox — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:56:58 +0000

I love the way they look, but in the end they’re a wooden box sitting out in the rain. When it starts to leak the repairs tend to be expensive.

By: badger-bot

badger-bot — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 06:37:16 +0000

If you’d like to explore the future of sustainable/affordable prefab utilizing a new bamboo based arch system then please visit: http://bambitat.com/ Our “Perma Yurt” is merely a logical beginning. We’re creating a new “organic steel” building material using banded bamboo strips. If banded swamp reed tea houses can stand for 3-5000 years then the possibilities are virtually endless with bamboo. We seek support to launch this project so that we can promote sustainable development all over this planet while empowering people and combating global warming. Prepare to be bamboozled, but in a good way.

By: Guillermo

Guillermo — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:57:17 +0000

I love the idea and efficiency of these. I just can’t see myself living in one, though, because the extremely modern, non-natural look of them would just stress me out! I realize that’s a silly excuse, but I bet there’s a way to make these look almost like a cottage if you decorate the exterior right. That would be really nice.

At the same time, I wonder why more people don’t look into living in underground homes (especially in hot areas). They’re energy efficient, relatively earthquake- and natural disaster proof, and I would think that they wouldn’t be too difficult to build…