A Dome Home with a 40,000 Gallon Water Cistern located in Fredericksburg, TX.

[@jlhenderson2]

Amazing home...I hope there's a follow-up video when the house is complete.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Thanks. The interior is still under construction.

[@ghostbeetle2950]

Cool, yet simple design! And that protective-yet-expansive cave feeling is lovely. This practically screams for an open floor plan.

[@artboymoy]

Would love to see the finished product. the rain catch forthe cistern is an awesome idea!

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Us too!

[@jstar1000]

I did a home inspection on one of these in Italy Texas where the institute is located. It was an older one, can't remember how old, I think it was built in the late 80s or early 90s, I can't remember. It was pretty cool for sure but the one I did had some foundation issues. Overall I really liked it, the typical home is so boring to me I have seen so many. I like how wind is not as destructive to them like in a conventional home and the fire resistance is off the charts as well as the non existent bug damage.

[@robnee3313]

I love this design! There are a lot of cool domes, but I think this one is the best! Thanks for the video.

[@TheDog_Chef]

Love it! A dome with a moat! Great idea for water catchment!

[@stjbananas]

This is amazing. I am totally convinced that I should build a concrete dome cottage instead of a rectangular stone cottage as is my original plan.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@stjbananas fantastic!!!

[@Sir.Black.]

Is there going to be and update video on this home? I hope you guys don't disappear for another 5 years!

[@ThomasSchick]

👍🏻…five years since the last one …better late then never 😂😂😂 …this and geodesic architecture intrigues me …hope to see more good content like this

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

We're going to start posting more often!

[@Flyboyminer]

I agree! Been waiting so patiently!!

[@polygon2744]

@@MonolithicDomeInstitute Please do post more often. The world needs this with the cost of construction rising by the day.

[@connielosee8811]

Monolithic better. Many geodesic develop leak problems with all the weird seams.

[@JimsworldSanDiego]

​@MonolithicDomeInstitute dude. Is the hills cell phone, take lots and lots and lots and lots of video. And post it now

[@jamesmatheson5115]

Imagine if every house in Tornado Alley and in Hurricane Areas of the U.S.were domes then there wouldnt be so much destruction and insurance premiums would go down, Ive been saying it for over 20 years.

[@DavidM2002]

I love it. The only thing that I would add would be a turret, as impractical as that may sound. Not too tall but tall enough to get above the rest of the house with a nice seating area up top.

[@torg2126]

That's a great feature for heat management, as it could act as a natural draft vent.

[@Buddhistview145]

Great idea!

[@cgoldapp]

Absolutely amazing home, love the look, and always been fascinated by the monolithic dome institute. However, this home being in Fredericksburg, I'm curious if she is in the Edward's recharge zone, and if so, if she's depriving herself of beautiful delicious limestone filtered water by gathering it in a cistern as opposed to just using a well?

[@user-yv7kw1nr2q]

Fantastic rain water catchment and cistern.

[@vinniegillotti9347]

You need to do follow up videos on when they are completed just a quick tour and maybe a price on what it cost

[@lilajtblue]

This home will be expensive because of the water cistern. I would guess 300k But a normal size for 2 adults and 2 children. Would cost 100k with complete windows, doors bath fixtures. Kitchen cabinets. If people would look at the real thing. Don't put the best of everything in it. Just the basics to live in it. Get it done in side with cost affective cabinetry. You won't live forever. The money you save will be utilities. You won't need insurance. It won't ever damage. Only if it's sitting on a volcano. But your smarter than that. I would like a 2 bedroom 1 bath with laundry room walk in closets and kitchen livingroom/ dining room combination. Not many windows and a 2 car garage. With storage for freezer and outdoor furniture during storms. I would live in it till my death. Maybe another 25 years? My Aunt is 92. I'm mad at myself for not building one when I was younger. So anyone younger reading this. Buy the book. Get your Floorplan and build this house. They have classes to learn how or contractors to build it. But the more you do yourself the more money you save. Hire young people to help you. The classes start at $2500 a person. Search others who have built. You won't regret it. Lafayette Louisiana has one. California, Indiana and Oklahoma. A church and a School. It's always safe.. just not near the Ocean unless you build it on stilts. I would never live near there. I love the water. I'm not sure if flood waters would protect it? Large waves of water like a suenomee. I can't spell that word. But you get my drift. No punt intended. Everyone build these Monolithic Dome Homes. Less people will die and you will have a house after disasters. I promise. I seen the one in California. The residents left. But the firefighters set camp in it. It saved their lives. There's stories about it. I was impressed since 1999-2000 GO to Italy Texas and view the bigger ones for a family of 4 to 6 people. It's amazing. You have to call for appointments. It's worth it.

[@Hero4Hire4]

Monolithic Domes, Inc. has a free cost estimator on their website.

[@elviscoso01]

Love it. More please.

[@heresmytake2782]

This is where Anakin will build 3PO

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

100%!

[@anaclark5751]

Haaaaaaaaa. My first laugh for the day. Thank you. Greetings from Australia

[@randallcotner2155]

I remember this video from a year or so ago. Is the home not yet finished, because I was thrilled to see this video announcement, hoping to see the completed home.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Still under construction

[@Superliegebeest0]

Thisnis exactly how i see my dream home. Nice outside deck with a pool outdoor kitchen with the grill. Big wall around it.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@Superliegebeest0 awesome

[@everhappy6312]

Hello Xavier!! We are about ready to move in our Dome in Fairview NC.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Wonderful!!!

[@linzierogers5024]

This kind of structure along with geodesic domes,quonset huts, and earthships handle severe weather events like hurricanes and tornados without any problem.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@linzierogers5024 Too true

[@robbabcock_]

What a remarkable home that will be!

[@ernestmartinez1116]

Is going to be beautiful

[@deanedeane4318]

What a brilliant practable home solution ! I just wanted to add , im curious if the water havesting system incorporates a first flush deverter ? - and a pre debris screen ? Great video and love from New Zealand ! 😉🙃😎

[@truthseeker9688]

Would have loved more technical data. What material is the cistern made of? How is the water filtered? Does the tank grow mold/bacteria...and how is that prevented from happening? Has the material coating the inside of the home been tested for toxicity leakage? What insulates the home from heat or cold? What type of heating or cooling? I know you said it is noticeably cooler inside...but Texas has fierce heat. Don't see any ductwork.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@truthseeker9688 I will try to find out the answers to your cistern questions. The material on the inside of the dome is concrete. No toxic leakage. See: www.monolithic.org/domes. This is how they are built and insulated. They have an effective R-Value of 60. The ducting Will go in the ceiling of the halls. It will require 50% less heating and cooling than a conventional structure.

[@TechCarnivore1]

This is my favorite dome so far. I would want to create a geodesic dome greenhouse which is connected on the concave side. I wonder how the engineering would go for something like that in terms of connecting and sealing something like that to the body of the dome

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@TechCarnivore1 you definitely can connect conventional construction with the Monolithic dome. Geodesic would be similar.

[@paulcummings55]

I've seen this video before, a few months ago- it has just been added to the Monolithic Dome website, I am guessing. From a photo I have seen more recently, it looks like it is finished.

[@solarroller09]

What a home❤ Beautiful its my Dream house You're livin in paradise on Earth 😄😃❤

[@stormrunner0029]

Glad to see you back.

[@weeevan3078]

Luke Skywalker approves it

[@bioglassmusic]

my dream home

[@jamesmatheson5115]

You made a basic error with the hatch to the water tank, every time it rains or gets hosed off the water and dirt will be washed into the tank via the hatch, I know because Ive been there and made the same mistake, even the drain could have been designed so it was off the ground by at least 3 ft with a surface tension gutter guard design, again to help stop material from being washed into the tank.

[@kickinghorse2405]

Excellent!

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Many thanks!

[@gardenman3]

How do they get the water out of the cistern and what do they do with it?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

They use it for their water supply in the home. There will be a pump, and a filtration system installed.

[@HouseOfAliShali]

Very cool thank you

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Glad you liked it

[@joansmith3492]

wonder if debris getting in the cistern or blocking it will be a problem with the catchment being at ground level.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@joansmith3492 excellent question. We will address this in a future video.

[@brettmoore3194]

Cool beans, make sure to throw copper and silver rounds in the cistern for extra protection 🎉

[@JimsworldSanDiego]

Please can you provide some numbers. How long to build the outside, how to build long to build the interior, and how long to the finished product?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

To finish out the interior of a Monolithic Dome house, school or other structure, it takes the same amount of time as it does with any other building designed for a similar purpose. The dome itself can be build FAST. A house can often be built in a week, from Airform inflation to the final coat of shotcrete.

[@bighappy177]

can water catchment do a passive cleanout prior to collecting? Passive cleanouts are better for monsoon rains, which im not certain Fredericksburg has, tho.

[@carlstawicki1915]

Should you be using 'square feet' when describing the size of a dome structure? 😉

[@connielosee8811]

There is a formula or determining the square feet of a round shape. I forget what it is but it is easily googled.

[@carlstawicki1915]

@@connielosee8811 -> 😉

[@bunkie2100]

Assuming that a “round foot” would be 6” in radius, it would contain, roughly, 113 square inches inches as compared to the 144 square inches of a traditional square foot. I’m surprised some enterprising real estate agent hasn’t started quoting area in “round feet” as there would be 27% more of them. ;-) A few years back, an apartment in my building in Manhattan with the same floorplan was listed as having 40% more square feet than what was I able to measure. I came to the conclusion that there is an unspoken “Manhattan Square Foot” used by realtors that measures 9” by 9”.

[@IsisJuEric]

Can we do this here in Brazil, please?

[@CindiHedgepeth-yq3ie]

I would imagine that it will be very dark inside. Why no skylites?

[@everhappy6312]

It's not dark. When the openings will be cut it will be light.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

It’s amazing how light it will be

[@jpshero385]

Incredible...did you have any challenges with permitting? What is keeping you from doing subdivisions?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@jpshero385 we only run into permitting issues if there are deed restrictions that specify no domes. We focus on rentals instead of subdivisions.

[@marklundegren]

Big project! Are you guys using fiber reinforced shotcrete, instead of encased rebar, on any of your domes? Seems as if it would provide significant time and cost savings in this method of construction.

[@skipwalker3269]

You should probably check out some of the lawsuits where people's foundations are crumbling because fiber concrete Is not near as good as traditional ferro cement

[@marklundegren]

@@skipwalker3269 Thanks for the suggestion. Is the litigation primarily aimed at builders, or the engineers behind them?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

We tried fibers but they would always fail, not enough tensile strength.

[@marklundegren]

@@MonolithicDomeInstitute Thanks for replying. What prompted me to ask, beyond the obvious potential labor and material savings, is that I recently attended a construction workshop put on by the Strata International Group, who are based in Phoenix. They are using a proprietary polymer-infused FRC over 1.5 pound EPS, are able to do spans up to 50 feet with their approach, and also can do nearly any shape craftable with EPS, including domes. Given this, it seems a hybrid approach with spray polyurethane might be possible, and with the added advantage of an exterior airform for weatherproofing.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@ Thanks. We have found that even small domes fail with the fibers. Thanks.

[@boblupart862]

subbed. Looking forward to the end result!

[@oolum]

I think they should have it built up higher on a hill or higher foundation, in case of flooding.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Depends on the area. You can build them on stilts too.

[@elviscoso01]

Please come to Argentina!

[@GodsGotMe]

How does high humidity affect this house? Could a layer of sod grass be added on top? Would you build this in south east Kansas with a wood stove?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@GodsGotMe you need an air conditioner and preferably an ERV for the humidity. You can add sod on top. It’s been done before. We would definitely build in Kansas. The wood stove would be fine.

[@beauxrichards4245]

Meade?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@ hoe are they made? See monolithicdome.com/monolithic-domes

[@sammkablaam]

I’ve been scouring KZbin, trying to find examples of these dome homes, completely buried underground. Can’t seem to find any.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

monolithicdome.com/below-grade-understanding-ups-and-downs-of-building-underground That’s a good place to start. You can also search our websites for “underground” and find stories about a few Monolithic Domes built underground.

[@YellaBellaReno]

Kirsten Dirsken’s KZbin channel had a video recently with a guy who converted a Quonset into an underground structure, if that helps. Very cool video.

[@KennethKustren-lr6tg]

EARTHSHIP HOMES .

[@BRAVEN32m12]

Varry cool

[@manicmarauder]

Looks like your facebook link here goes to a page that says the content isn't available.

[@zapano4335]

How will the water cistern not become a breeding ground for mosquitos?

[@rafaelgonzalez4175]

There are plenty of varying chemicals that reduce or refrain larvae from hatching. A simple addition into the standing water.

[@curtisnixon5313]

Fish

[@whimpypatrol5503]

Echo heaven.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@whimpypatrol5503 once you get throw rugs and furniture it’s not echoing

[@CRASS2047]

I thought gypsum cement would not bond to Portland based cement. We have avoided contact between the two for my entire career. How does a layer of gypsum cement stick?

[@j.w.knowles8238]

What happens when the tank is full, in a flood situation?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

There is an overflow setup

[@DanaRagbir]

beautiful,i like it,i will live there❤💕🙏

[@sremail4829]

cost of build? legal in all states? can you build outside usa?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@sremail4829 costs about the same as a custom home in your area. Legal. The Monolithic Dome meets or exceeds all international building codes.

[@jamessturrock6802]

I want to get into this business. I want to present to people actual safe and affordable homes in the tornado and hurricane prone areas. Having lived through an EF4 tornado in 2023 I want to make sure that peoples homes and businesses can survive with minimal damage and peoples lives are protected. To many mobile homes with no safe feature to protect from the elements of destruction. I see so many faces of people who have given up or go away from towns hit by such monstrous weather. How do I start and can this be made to make safe and protected structures affordable? Hell I'm starting over with nothing as it is, so there has got to be a way.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

A good place to start would be to come to a Dome Builders Workshop here in Texas. monolithicdome.com/workshops

[@675Apollo]

What is the approx cost per square ft to build this?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

4,735 ft²

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

I believe it is $100 per square foot of floor area for the shell.

[@callison2138]

Show me again when it’s finished.

[@BryanKirch]

How do you keep your team busy when you’re not building a dome. I can’t imagine there’s enough constant demand yet for structures like this.

[@katjames914]

You would be surprised.

[@BryanKirch]

@@katjames914 how many do they make a year?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

We built 14 last year, and we’ll probably come close to that number this year.

[@BryanKirch]

@@MonolithicDomeInstitute wow congratulations

[@everhappy6312]

You have to wait for your turn for them to come and build it. We had the team build our Dome and had to wait a few months till they could come.

[@ngana8755]

Is this an inflatable dome?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

We use an inflated form system. The Airforms we use are also built by us.

[@Dmpddiver]

What’s the cost per square foot for a dome home? Say, 1400 square feet approximately?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@Dmpddiver they tend to cost what a custom home would cost in your area.

[@busyflyin]

Where in FBG is this?

[@kemberkellar1587]

Hi good day what is the cost of a home like this

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

You’ll hate this answer, but it depends on a million variables. Despite what many folks hope, Monolithic Domes are not cheaper than traditional homes, they usually wind up costing about the same, but you get a far superior structure.

[@tackyman2011]

"In the event of a water landing, your house can be used as a flotation device."

[@patrickgreen7308]

Not enought info for me to really get interested. I just might If you gave more details

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

See: MonolithicDome.com!

[@generalnewsense5264]

how much does something like this cost?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

www.monolithic.org/homes/home/the-true-cost-of-a-dome-home.

[@markseamans4682]

Now all we need is rain!!!!

[@NoSelf23]

This is amazing but I wouldn't be spraying anything without a respirator.

[@katjames914]

I’m not sure the gypsum mud gets into the air too much when spraying, but the foam and shotcrete requires respirators for sure, or if they plan on sanding the gypsum mud when]n it dries.

[@Theodore-tj4jo]

Aircrete needs to be used for these. Great project, love it !

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Aircrete isn’t as strong nor as well insulated. It also can’t be used for large domes.

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

Nooice! 😎 STOC

[@jasonsanders3930]

40k is crazy

[@gateway8833]

Did Monolithic Domes Institute build this project?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Yes!

[@frankmckinley1254]

Are y'all the company just south of Dallas?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@frankmckinley1254 yes we are!! Italy Texas

[@frankmckinley1254]

@MonolithicDomeInstitute Thanks for the information. Next question, what does a 20' dome run?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@ to rent or to buy? To rent. About $700 all utilities paid. To buy depends a little on how far away from us and how many at a time. Give us a call.

[@revolutionaryhippies6972]

How do I get in contact with you?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Call the office or email at [e-mail]

[@ZacharyYbarra-u1g]

I want one made from hempcrete!

[@markdominguez8435]

Looks perfect to create a Hobbit home from Lord of the Rings. I wonder if it's strong enough to put earth and grass on top on a side of a hill?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@markdominguez8435 yes it is!!!

[@mariomoreno5016]

🇦🇷🤔🇷🇺⌛🚀🍄 HAS HECHO UN TRABAJO EXCEPCIONAL T FELICITO 👍👍👍.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Gracias

[@KennethKustren-lr6tg]

THE CISTERN NEEDS AN AUTOMATED IONIC SILVER WATER GENERATOR . ALSO ... A SPLASHCOAT OF DIY SODIUM SILICATE GLAZING .

[@3006wildmeats]

Hmm Wow thats Awsm! Itsa mind number state of Texas comes in to our buisiness and tells us they better not EVER catch us sellin concrete tanks for drinkin water and that was early 90s

[@BBBarbarian-u5q]

Why ? Concrete watercatches are wonderful, my parents have one that's lasted 40 years and has experienced earthquakes during that time. As for cleaning - there are companies that come and clean them - similar to pool cleaning. Theirs is a rectangle, think it's 6" thick, could be more and has a cement roof, goes the length of one side of the house. Many, actually most of the watercatches in this area are round, corrugated steel, with pool liner, the cement one dosent need the liner. They're safe, Dad lived to 100 yrs!

[@3006wildmeats]

@BBBarbarian-u5q texas told us its porous and holds bacteria we used to sell concrete tanks and there is companies that still manufacturem and sellem but we were warned not once but 3Times

[@3006wildmeats]

Their words to us was that they r porous and holds bacteria and they better not ever catch us sellin them again fir drinking water use! Idntat crazy? I still to this day have had many customers Alllll over orange county that r still alive n well that r aporoachina full century on their lives! And theres still a concrete sewege tank manufacturer in buna that Still will buildya1 for home drinkin water, but the state comes in bullies our lil o service outfit lol

[@3006wildmeats]

What the state told us is that its pourous and holds bacteria

[@marthawhitehouse9838]

That guy should not be spraying that gypsum coating without wearing a mask.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Agreed

[@MichaelMorningstar]

Wow!

[@Kimossab3]

Looks Namekian

[@theebalz]

I've taken the class in Italy, TX, and almost ready to build mine. I'd like to discuss some of the features and techniques in this video. Who can I speak with at Monolithic about this?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Start by calling the office and they will help you.

[@nightrunner1456]

Be good for a wine restaurant! last over 200 years!

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Great idea!

[@ElektroKinetik]

Shut up and take my money

[@davidnoland4216]

Alien.

[@dunkelza]

This was a cool house. That said, why the 1970s porno music?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@dunkelza excellent question.

[@julieowen5874]

The music is horrible

[@radiohill]

What does one of these cost. The interior is incredible. SO SPACIOUS 🌞🌛⭐🪐✨💫

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@radiohill They cost about the same as a custom home in your area.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@radiohill They cost about the same as a custom home in your area.

[@MichaelRussell3000]

Unimpressive. They didn't think to do the arches except as an afterthought. I think they do a great job on the domes, and the rain gutters are interesting. But they didn't list any special cistern implementations, no filters, no lining, no reinforcement, no pumps, no cleaning or draining. It's a giant mosquito bathtub of cholera. How about this, next time: go below the house down to bedrock, build a drainable redundant set of cisterns with proper lining, filters, and integration into a pool, a fountain, and greenhouse irrigation. Match that up to a house water heating and radiant heating system, complete with water filters and ultraviolet irradiation, including solar water heating and an insulated hot water tank below the back patio in the range of 5000-15000 gallons, to provide heat for the house and use waste heat for the patio/greenhouse.

[@jasonshirrillmusic]

look what you can get when you're rich.

[@fredbecker607]

What is the cost of the project?

[@billmontgomery3737]

I would love to build one. Are they good against tornadoes?

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@billmontgomery3737 Definitely great for tornadoes. FEMA specifies building either a concrete room or a Monolithic Dome for safety in tornadoes. Many schools build them for that reason. Here is a similarly constructed dome that went through an F4/F5 tornado. www.monolithic.org/benefits/benefits-survivability/a-testament-to-the-dome-shape

[@godd226]

I thought it was build with earth. While the structure and design are really good. I generally dislike the idea of using concrete because of all the pollution associated with it's production.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

Good point. It’s the longevity and energy efficiency that offset the carbon use.

[@Hammer4999]

Confined spaces present serious safety hazards and shouldn't be entered without oxygen monitoring. This guy needs some safety training before he gets himself or others killed from carelessness.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@Hammer4999 There is a large blower adding air constantly.

[@thelmaparker7888]

That house is butt ugly

[@hswing11]

how much per square foot $$$$$$$$$$$

[@robertallison7311]

The Flintstones

[@carolb3327]

Hey Monolithic, how about making tiny domes affordable for the average income-lower income folks. Monolithic used to make dome cabins, but stopped doing so many years ago. Why did Monolithic do this? I have written, and called Monolithic dome institute many times about this. But it seems Monolithic only wants to market/sell their product to rich-high end consumers wanting large domes. All we want is a small ( under 1000 sq. ft. or smaller, for 2 people) dome because we live in tornado alley and have no basement or tornado shelter.

[@MonolithicDomeInstitute]

@@carolb3327 we build a lot of smaller homes. The cabins weren’t tornado safe. See this 1000 square foot home. www.monolithic.com/building-a-small-dome-home-on-a-ring-footing-in-batesville-indiana

[@mechfan01]

@7:55 To the face!